Sustainable
Environment
Energy
Design
SEED is a collaborative committee made up of your fellow aTRR tree huggers that want to make the world a greener place. We focus on sustainable practices in the architectural field and we are here to offer a sustainable lens on any project, educate the team, and lead the green initiative for architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson!
We are comprised of individuals with various backgrounds and certifications in LEED, WELL, Passive house and more!
Our Mission in Action
We are just getting started, but have already accomplished so much! Here’s what we’ve been up to:
• Dived deep into sustainable materials, passive design, carbon-neutral approaches, and next-gen systems
• Evaluated groundbreaking technologies and certifications
• Crafted internal tools (guides, checklists, and slide kits) to weave sustainability into our design process
The SEED committee provides a variety of offerings for aTRR projects
• LEED Checklist for projects
• Project Sustainability / LEED certification peer review
• WELL Checklist for projects
• Project WELL Certification peer review
• Project Energy Modeling
• Project Analysis including Sunlight / solar, Carbon, Energy usage etc.
We are also commited to sharing our research and knowledge with staff by providing:
• Weekly Postings
• Quarterly Bulletins
• Quarterly Presentations
• Site Visits
• Green Initiatives
Sustainable Sites
Element 5, St. Thomas ON
$55 M, 400, 396 SF
Element5 continues to advance sustainable construction by reducing the industry’s carbon footprint through innovative mass timber solutions. Their newly completed office and plant expansion in St. Thomas, Ontario, embodies this mission—serving both as a high-performance workplace and a living showcase for the company’s own cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam technologies. The two-storey office forms part of a major facility expansion designed to highlight the strength, beauty, and versatility of mass timber. Many of the building’s structural components were produced on-site in the adjoining plant, which now features a state-of-the-art automated glulam production line. The plant’s large-span timber structure and striking “fish belly” beams further demonstrate the material’s engineering potential.
Inside, the office features open work areas, private offices, and multipurpose zones arranged around a central kitchen and café that extends toward the surrounding landscape. Expansive glazing and exposed wood finishes create a warm, inviting atmosphere that supports well-being and productivity. On the exterior, the expressive timber structure celebrates the craftsmanship and sustainable ethos behind Element5’s work. The expansion marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to lead the adoption of mass timber and promote a more sustainable future for the construction industry.
Project team; McMichael Ruth, Bill Sargent, Matt Naraine, Scott Townsend, Alex Polito, Bryce Engberts
Curious to read more? Check out our internal Quarterly Bulletin here!