projects in Calgary or even British Columbia. Like their name applies, they do a lot of design-build work. This approach means that from the initial concept to the finishing touches, every step is managed under one roof—a strategy that ensures quality and efficiency. Even as a small team of about 13 employees, collaboration remains the cornerstone of their work. For HSS Design Build, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the very essence of how they build. The company takes pride in their ability to deliver projects that are both environmentally responsible and built to last. In one project, for instance, they were tasked with designing a building intended to last for a century. “We’re really trying to design for generations,” Raphael emphasizes. The company’s criteria are clear: they choose projects that help reduce emissions and sequester carbon over time, making each building not just a structure but an investment in the future. A recent standout project was a munipal pavilion in Banff called ‘Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi’, where, after a public selection process, the HSS team was chosen to design a multi-use building at the heart of a newly revamped recreational area. The project, built under a stringent municipal sustainable building policy, called for innovative solutions to cap energy use and heating demand. “We proposed a mass timber building with a gluedlaminated superstructure,” Raphael explains. The result was a structure that not only met Passive House, low-energy standards, but also served as a vibrant public space, complete with a kitchenette, washrooms, and a flexible gathering area. Opened in 2023, the pavilion embodies HSS’ ethos of combining sustainability with community benefit. APRIL 2025
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTYzNTg=