There are many ways that buildings affect the environment - from the resources used, to the energy required to transport materials, to the air we breathe. Our experience in Green Design, an ecological approach to building, offers the most up-to-date information on practices used in the new construction, renovation and restoration marketplace. Our mission is to provide comfort and quality while minimizing the environmental impact of each Solterre design.

Passive Solar Design & Energy-Efficiency

The most direct environmental impact that any building has on the environment is the energy used to heat it. The first step in reducing this impact is by using energy-efficient construction techniques and by choosing an appropriate heat source.

Many people are surprised to know that Nova Scotia is one of Canada's best locations for utilizing passive solar energy. As the sun is a free and available energy source, Solterre Design strives to use passive solar design techniques wherever possible.

For those wanting to live outside of electrical service range, off-grid living is feasible in many applications.  Working with wind, sun and energy-efficient design, buildings can limit their long-term dependence on fossil fuels and offer alternative energy options for producing heat, domestic hot water and electricity.

Healthy Materials and Systems

We know the importance of a healthy environment in your building.  Many people suffer minor affects from a poor indoor environment without even knowing it.  Our experience will guide you through design choices that can improve indoor air quality. Many of these choices will have little or no effect on the cost of your project.

Resourceful Use of Building Materials

Recycled Material

As more and more manufacturers go green, materials choices become easier yet the selection can still be intimidating. There are many issues to consider -- sustainability, health, adaptability, life cycle, embodied energy, resource efficiency and energy consumption. We design with these issues in mind.

Salvaged Material

Jennifer Corson is also the President of Renovators Resource Inc., a used building material store in Halifax which reclaims pieces from buildings destined for demolition. Incorporating salvaged materials can often save money while retaining our architectural heritage. Often these salvaged items can become the focal point in a renovation or a new construction.