This discipline lives at the edge of rapid innovation. Codes, technologies, and performance targets are constantly evolving—and so are we. Our team brings forward-thinking solutions to support everything from embodied carbon assessments to electrification strategies, helping clients stay ahead of both climate risks and policy requirements.
The RDH Difference
We approach energy and carbon as system-wide challenges—not isolated engineering problems. Our team has extensive experience delivering very low carbon, low energy, high-performance buildings across diverse project types. By working closely with mechanical, electrical, architectural, and enclosure teams, we identify integrated solutions that deliver better results for less energy.
We challenge the misconception that high performance is too complex or expensive. With the right team involved early, smart energy and enclosure decisions can be made within project constraints—without sacrificing cost, schedule, or comfort. Our enclosure-first perspective gives clients a powerful advantage in managing long-term performance, durability, and resilience.
What Sets Us Apart
- System-Level Thinking: We treat buildings as interconnected systems, not siloed components. This allows us to find creative, efficient solutions that optimize both cost and performance.
- Enclosure Expertise: Our enclosure background strengthens every recommendation we make—from load reduction to insulation strategies—unlocking solutions other energy consultants may overlook.
- Complex Projects: We’ve helped deliver ambitious energy and carbon goals in healthcare, commercial, institutional, and multifamily sectors—under tight timelines and strict regulatory environments.
Values and Priorities
We prioritize technical rigor grounded in real-world application. Our team is built on a foundation of science, but our success comes from clear communication, thoughtful collaboration, and practical follow-through.
Every project has its goals, constraints, and risks. We focus on aligning with what matters to the client—whether that’s meeting a carbon target, managing operational costs, or achieving occupant comfort. Our project managers play a critical role in translating modeling into actionable decisions and keeping design teams aligned across changing conditions and shifting timelines.
How We Work
Our team spans multiple RDH offices and meets regularly to share knowledge, balance priorities, and align on best practices. We work closely with local project managers, design teams, and external partners to deliver high-performance outcomes that reflect both regional climate demands and project requirements.
We use a wide range of tools tailored to each project—including a variety of modelling tools and custom in-house calculators—to support energy, carbon, and thermal analysis. This flexible, collaborative approach allows us to guide everything from early-stage massing to final energy compliance with precision and agility.
Project Spotlights:
Bunker Hill Housing Redevelopment | Boston, MA
Bunker Hill represents RDH’s expanding U.S. presence and showcases our ability to deliver high-performance results in urban, regulatory-intensive environments. Our Energy & Climate team supported envelope optimization, electrification strategy, and carbon reduction analysis across building types and performance goals.
Cowichan District Hospital | Duncan, BC
The first all-electric hospital in Canada (designed by ZGF) exemplifies RDH’s ability to guide complex healthcare facilities through low-carbon transitions. Our team developed a fully integrated energy strategy, including modeling, mechanical coordination, and carbon pathway analysis, aligned with strict clinical and regulatory requirements.
