Designing Living Systems Transforming Built Environments
We are the curious Unlocking potential
Building Systems, Sustainability Strategy, Digital Advisory, and Analytics
Introba is a global building engineering and consulting firm with over 1,000 engineers, planners, designers, and consultants in offices across the Canada, United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Serbia.
History
Introba was formed in 2022 by the coming together of Integral Group — pioneers of deep green engineering — and Ross & Baruzzini, a leading technology, security, and engineering firm, founded in 1953.
Mission
To transform the built environment by designing Living Systems.
Living Systems are dynamic, responsive, intelligent, resilient, adaptable, and interconnected.
We work with our clients to envision, analyze and design the next generation of buildings, districts, and communities with these vital attributes embedded.
Practices
Our Living Systems approach supports our clients across the entire project life cycle: from strategy, through design and construction, to asset performance optimization.
We offer a unique and cohesive range of services across building systems engineering, sustainability strategy, digital advisory, and analytics.
Our services include:
• MEP Engineering
• Baggage Automation
• Climate & Sustainability
• Design Analytics
• Digital Advisory
• Fire Engineering
• Light Studio
• Performance Engineering
• Security
• Technology Systems
300+
Employees and growing 40+years
Company history in Canada
100+
Net Zero Energy projects
700+
Certified projects under LEED, BREEAM, Living Building Challenge, and Green Star sustainability rating systems
Learn more about Introba: introba.com
Have a challenge for us? hello@introba.com
Boulder Commons – Colarado, USA © Bruce Damonte Vancouver House – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Joe QuadDesigning Living Systems Transforming Built Environments
A Better Way of Tackling the Most Complex Challenges
Think big
At Introba, we take a different approach. We look at the whole system, instead of focusing on the parts.
Welcome to Living Systems.
Be inspired
Our Living Systems approach is inspired by the resilience of natural, living systems. They are characterized by high levels of interconnectivity, interdependency, resource sharing, and constant change. The same attributes are key to transforming the built environment at all scales, from the city block down to the intricacies of designing and equipping an operating room.
Inquiring minds
We are the curious. We thrive when challenged. Rather than see problems, we see opportunities for better.
Whole systems thinking
Buildings are not standalone. They are connected parts of complex systems. By understanding the connections, we can improve a system’s performance as an integrated whole.
Unlocking potential
For every project we ask, “what if?”
To break away from business as usual requires creative courage. Each project presents unique opportunities to be harnessed with distinctiveness.
Embracing change
As context changes, living systems adapt and evolve. We design for a dynamic future by embedding resilience, adaptability, and flexibility into our clients’ projects. We face up to uncertainty and harness disruptive innovation.
Regenerative mindset
Get in touch to begin a conversation about how Introba could unlock potential for you: hello@introba.com
Discover the power of Living Systems: introba.com/about/living-systems
Living systems are self-sustaining. We are committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment through our work and as a business.
Expertise Assembled
Right Team, Right Place, Right Time
Buildings
Our work is delivered by four integrated practices. We unlock potential for our clients at every stage of the built environment’s transformation: from strategy, through design and construction, to asset performance and optimization, backed by analytics at every stage.
Our regional teams understand deeply the needs of their local markets and are just as confident working collaboratively on projects further afield as part of our global network.
Planning, consulting, engineering, and design.
We provide mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and water systems engineering for buildings and districts.
Our engineers design systems that enhance building performance for the benefit of owners and investors, occupiers, communities, and the environment.
These core MEPF engineering capabilities are supported by a continually evolving range of planning, consulting, engineering, and design specialisms. – Architectural Lighting & Daylight Design
Baggage Handling – District Energy and Smart Grids
Fire Protection
Medical Equipment Planning – Net Zero Carbon
Renewable Energy – Systems Commissioning – Technology, including IT, Audio Visual and Security
Strategy
Translating bold ideas into action.
We develop innovative policy frameworks, performance standards, and delivery roadmaps.
We work with policymakers, government agencies, institutions, and businesses to develop strategies for organizations, projects, campuses, portfolios, districts, cities, and regions.
We put guardrails around strategic objectives while offering ongoing support to monitor their implementation.
Digital
Connecting the digital to the real.
We help clients to build better with digital insights and expertise.
We fuse the power of data, emerging technologies, intelligent buildings and transportation, and domain expertise to transform how buildings and communities work.
From technology visioning to data-driven operations, our teams map our clients’ needs to deliver emerging solutions for impact, resilience, and success.
Analytics
Putting data behind decisions.
Our design analysts combine expertise from the fields of architecture, engineering, physics, computer and data sciences.
We work closely with our buildings, strategy, and digital practices to undertake parametric performance analyses, create specialized modeling tools and develop new ways to visualize, explore and understand data.
We equip clients and design teams with the insights they need to make well-informed strategic decisions.
– Policy and Planning
– Masterplan Visioning
– Climate & Sustainability
– Corporate ESG Strategy
– Circular Economy
– Sustainability Certification & Assurance
– Building Health & Wellness
– Digital Advisory
– Digital Transformation
– Reality Capture
– Digital Twins
– BIM
– Immersive Applications
– Automation & AI
– Smart Buildings, Mobility and Infrastructure
– Policy & Infrastructure Analysis
– Building Energy Modeling
– Climate Resilience Assessment
– Life Cycle Analysis
– Whole Life Carbon
– Computational Fluid Dynamics
– Data Analytics & Visualization
– Microclimate Assessment
– Building Envelope Optimization
– Indoor Environmental Quality
Introba © Cosmin Serban / UnsplashYour projects Our passion
An award winning portfolio of commissions at every scale
Our sector leadership model combines our technical expertise and local specialist knowledge to best support the needs of our clients.
Market Sectors
We provide our full range of services across six sectors, tackling developments involving multiple building types by assembling cross-sector teams:
Science & Technology
– Laboratories
– Data Centres
– Pharmaceutical
– Advanced Manufacturing
– Research Facilities
– Clean Rooms
Education
– Schools
– Colleges
– Universities
– Campuses
– District Energy
– Student Housing
– Childcare
Government – Offices
– Defence
– Public Safety
– Justice
– Policy & Code Advisory
– Sports & Recreation
– Libraries & Museums
– Arts Theatres
Mobility – Aviation
– Rail & Transit
– Port Facilities
– Electric Vehicles
Healthcare
– Clinics
– Hospitals
– Medical Offices
– Medical Research
– Surgery Centres
– Cancer Centres
– Long-Term Care Facilities
Commercial – Offices
– Residential – Retail – Hotels – Hospitality – Industrial Have a challenge
Climate & Sustainability
Deep Green Pedigree
We support the health and well-being of communities by bridging the natural environment with the built environment, helping to address the challenges of climate change by blending creative problem-solving, thoughtful engagement, and comprehensive qualitative research with technical rigour.
Our practice maximizes impact and deliver work across all scales, from developing international standards for Net Zero carbon development to optimizing individual building components to minimize their resilience and whole-life carbon impact.
High Performance
Leaders in designing climate-positive and energy-efficient buildings, we deliver Zero Carbon and Passive House design and consulting services for educational facilities, corporate offices, residential developments, visitor centres, and community hubs.
A-Grade Advice
Our advisory team accelerates the achievement of sustainability goals for organizations, at all levels of governments and for infrastructure, district, and masterplan developments.
Design Analytics
We empower design teams to make better-informed integrated decisions — founded on comprehensive analysis and supported by empirical modeling — ranging from driving whole building performance to optimizing the performance of entire districts.
Strategic Thinking
The climate and sustainability landscape challenges both public and private sectors; we know this because we’re at the table, shaping policy, regulations, codes, and industry standards.
Have a challenge for us? ali.nazari@introba.com introba.com/work/solutions/climate-sustainability
Science & Technology Engineering Innovation
From research laboratories to high-speed computing facilities, we help create some of the world’s most technologically complex buildings.
We provide strategic master planning, building systems engineering, consulting, and commissioning services for S&T clients around the globe.
Our capability includes research and teaching laboratories, life sciences, clean rooms, data centers, greenhouses, pilot plants, pharmaceutical facilities, advanced manufacturing, and technology-focused corporate campuses.
Energy Conservation and Sustainability
We are pioneers of sustainable S&T projects — buildings designed for the comfort, health and safety of users and optimized for energy and environmental performance.
Next Generation Laboratories
We are engineers for some of the world’s most advanced private-sector, institutional, and government research facilities.
Comprehensive Data Centre Services
We offer a full suite of advisory and consulting services across the project lifecycle — feasibility assessments and strategic analysis, programming and budgeting, design and implementation, commissioning, relocation planning, and move management.
High-Tech Corporate Campuses
We work with the world’s leading tech companies to create environments that support innovation.
RECENT AWARDS
2022 SEFA Lab of the Year (High Honors) – Cortex Innovation Community, St. Louis, MO, USA
2019 NZIA Canterbury – Rutherford Regional Science & Innovation Centre – Christchurch, NZ
2019 AIA COTE Top 10 – Amherst College Science Center, Amherst, MA, USA
2018 CIBSE International Project of the Year – Pomona College Millikan Lab, Claremont, CA, USA
2016 AIA COTE Top 10 – J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
Have a challenge for us? sciencetech@introba.com introba.com/work/sectors/science-technology
Western Sydney University Science Building – Parramatta, NSW, Australia © Rodrigo Vargas UC Santa Cruz Biovmedical Sciences Facility – Santa Cruz, CA, USA © Matthew MillmanHealthcare
Elevating Care
From designing a major new hospital to renovating an outdated medical office building, we blend innovation, engineering expertise, and sustainable practices to create high-performance healthcare environments.
We provide fully integrated technology consulting, medical equipment planning, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering, design analytics, climate resilience planning, and sustainability consulting.
Technology Integration
We weave cutting-edge technology systems into the fabric of healthcare facilities, creating a connected ecosystem that supports health professionals and enhances patient experience at every stage — from diagnostics to recovery care.
Medical Equipment Planning
Our equipment planning team is comprised of architects, nurses, biomedical engineers, and medical technicians working together to shape spaces from concept to final installation. Their mission is to empower caregivers with the medical equipment they need to provide world-class treatment, optimal functionality, and seamless integration within clearly defined budget parameters.
Sustainable Healthcare Facilities
We combine high-performance green design and engineering principles with an understanding of occupant wellbeing.
Our integrated approach to sustainability improves outcomes for patients, medical professionals, the communities they serve, and the planet we share.
RECENT AWARDS
Have a challenge for us? healthcare@introba.com introba.com/work/sectors/healthcare
Decarbonization
Low Carbon Torchbearers
From guiding policy and decision-making to deep green energy systems, building retrofits, and zero-carbon district energy systems, we help our clients achieve their carbon reduction goals.
Our team provides strategic master planning, decarbonization studies with financial analysis, and thermal energy systems consulting, engineering, and commissioning services for clients, including universities, governments, airport authorities, thermal utilities, and developers, around the world.
We lead the industry in innovating and implementing flexible, resilient, next-generation solutions for district energy systems, backed by strong environmental and financial performance.
The Path to Zero Carbon
We provide consulting services, including in-depth studies of existing building portfolios and thermal energy infrastructures, to advise on robust strategies to achieve true sustainability while meeting the triple bottom line.
Seeing the Big Picture Pioneers of multi-energy systems, we integrate multiple technologies into elegant system configurations to meet project goals, such as heat pumps, geo-exchange, sewer or process heat recovery, thermal energy storage, and electrical microgrids.
Designing for the Future
Using our extensive understanding of passive building design, we create deep green energy retrofit solutions for existing buildings that achieve sustainable and regenerative performance while minimizing stranded assets.
Crunching the Numbers
We evaluate the financial performances of different options to generate clear life cycle financial metrics and graphics to go with our technical solutions.
RECENT AWARDS
2022 Award for Sustainable Leadership in Corporate Real Estate by CoreNet Global – Google Bay View, Mountain View, CA, USA
2021 Heritage BC Award of Honour in Conservation – The Exchange, Vancouver, BC Canada
2016 AIBC Lieutenant-Governor of BC Awards in Architecture, Medal
– Telus Gardens, Vancouver, BC Canada
2018 Stephen R. Kellert Award for Biophilic Design International Living Future Institute
– Van Dusen Gardens, Vancouver, BC Canada
Have a challenge for us? decarbonization@introba.com
Education
Nurturing the Next
We set standards, design systems, and optimize the performance of learning environments from early years to executive education.
Academic facilities are long-term investments. They need to both meet the needs of today and be resilient, adaptable and scalable to respond to changes in technology, teaching methods, and climate.
Inspiring Young Minds
Our projects embrace and embody the values of the institutions they serve.
They are an educational resource in their own right, inspiring the next generation with exemplars of energy and water efficiency, innovative integrated systems, and features to improve health, wellbeing, and cognitive performance.
Decarbonizing Campuses
We guide institutions on their path towards net zero emissions. We develop decarbonization roadmaps, audit and optimize existing assets, transition campus utilities to all-electric operation, integrate renewable energy generation and storage, and design and commission energy-saving building systems.
Resilient by Design
Harnessing the power of design analytics, we work with project design teams to optimize the form, massing, orientation, and skin of new educational buildings so that they can face extremes of climate with confidence today and for years to come.
RECENT AWARDS
Have a challenge for us? education@introba.com
introba.com/work/sectors/education
Commercial
Building Sustainable Value
We work with owners and developers to create high performance, sustainable assets that deliver value for investors and building users alike.
Our commercial buildings portfolio spans multiple building types — from high-rise residential towers to groundscraping corporate campuses.
Generating Value
We bring to every project an acute awareness of the business and delivery models that underpin their feasibility and viability. We add value by leveraging our capabilities in strategy, building systems engineering, technology, and analytics.
Mixed Use Development
Our mixed-use commercial projects combine workplace, living, retail, industrial, sports, entertainment, and hospitality functions, delivered by teams with expertise in delivering across multiple building types.
Strategic Insights and Analysis
We lead workshops that set direction, and provide design analysis that identifies opportunities to reduce cost, lower environmental impact, increase performance, and enhance user experience.
Advanced Building Systems
We engineer the systems that enable safe, secure, resilient, resource-efficient, and comfortable building operation. Our technology consultants equip projects with smart digital infrastructure, and our commissioning teams help buildings realize their performance potential in use.
RECENT AWARDS
2023 ENR Best Global Project – Google Bay View, Mountain View, CA, USA
2023 AIA COTE Top 10 – Casa Adelante 2060 Folsom, San Francisco, CA, USA
2022 BCO Regional Awards – Refurbished/Recycled Workplace – ASOS HQ, London, UK
2022 ULI Excellence in Mission Advancement – ASHRAE HQ, Atlanta, GA, USA
2022 BESA Net Zero Initiative – Room2 Hotel, Chiswick, UK
2019 ULI Excellence in Adaptive Reuse/Repurposing – Interface HQ, Atlanta, GA, USA
Have a challenge for us? commercial@introba.com
introba.com/work/sectors/commercial
The Post on Georgia – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Rico Marques Vancouver House – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Molly Schremmer Google Bay View Campus – Mountain View, CA, USA © Iwan Baan Edmonton ICE District, Rogers Place – Edmonton, AB, Canada © Michael RobinsonLight Studio
Illuminating Ideas
Spanning diverse scales and project types, we provide fully integrated lighting design services for clients in Canada and across the globe, from bridges, urban greenways, and university campuses to museums and public art installations.
Innovative Solutions
Transforming spaces is not just our passion; it is our expertise. With meticulous attention to detail and a focus on creativity and innovation, we craft immersive experiences that captivate the senses and exceed industry standards around the globe.
Customized Excellence
No two projects are alike, and neither are our lighting solutions. We specialize in tailoring each design to suit the unique essence of our clients’ vision, ensuring that every space is infused with its own distinctive character and charm.
Collaborative Partnership
By working hand-in-hand with architects, interior designers, and developers, we transform your vision into reality with precision and flair. Grounded in research and driven by a passion for excellence, our designs are informed by the latest insights and innovations.
Sustainable Brilliance
With a focus on energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly practices, our designs not only enhance the beauty of your spaces but also minimize their environmental footprint. By prioritizing sustainability without compromising on style or performance, we create lighting solutions that lead to brighter, more sustainable future.
Government
Trusted Partners
We work with national, regional, and local government clients to engineer and optimize the public buildings upon which we all depend, and to develop policy that shapes our built environment for the better.
Smart Policy
We help cities around the world develop and deliver forwardthinking policies for climate action, adaptation, and resilience.
We model, test and evaluate policy impacts, lead multistakeholder workshops, and help clients communicate effectively with both internal and external audiences.
Climate Leadership
We identify pathways to net zero carbon emissions for government clients — through policies, programs, masterplans, across portfolios, and in the design of new and retrofitted public buildings.
Value for Money
Over 70 years' experience across hundreds of government projects and multiple building types allows us to engineer high performance, durable, resilient, and adaptable public assets that are cost-effective to operate and affordable to construct.
Alignment & Understanding
We understand the processes, procedures, communications, documentation methods, and design requirements unique to the government sector, including sustainability, energy, antiterrorism force protection, building information modeling, and commissioning.
RECENT AWARDS
2023 AIA Victoria Wardell Award for Public Architecture – Bendigo Law Courts, VIC, Australia
2023 AIA COTE Top 10 – Westwood Hills Nature Center St.Louis, MO, USA
2022 FastCo Innovation by Design – Clayton Heights Community Centre, Surrey, BC, Canada
2022 AIA Public Architecture – Shepparton Art Museum, VIC, Australia
2021 ENR Best Cultural Project Southern CA – Donald Dungan Library, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
2020 AJ100 Sustainability Champion – LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide, London, UK
2019 AIA SF Sustainable Comm. Infrastr. (Special Commendation) – Half Moon Bay Library, CA, USA
Have a challenge for us? government@introba.com
introba.com/work/sectors/government
Half Moon Bay Library – Half Moon Bay, CA, USA © Anthony Lindsey Photography Gulf State Park Interpretive Center – Gulf Shores, AL, USA © Michelle Stancil VanDusen Visitor Centre – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Perkins&Will Denver Water Campus Redevelopment – Denver, CO, USA © Frank Ooms Canadian Nuclear Laboratories – Chalk River, ON, Canada © Kevin Belanger Vancouver Art Gallery – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Herzog & de Meuron Clayton Heights Community Centre – Surrey, BC, Canada © Catherine Chan Vancouver Fire Hall 17 – Vancouver, BC, Canada © Catherine Chan Squamish Fire Hall Headquarter – Squamish, BC, Canada © Scott GhomeshiMobility
Transforming Transportation
Innovation across all modes of transit and at their intersection.
We develop sustainability strategies, design building and district systems, and integrate security, technology, and baggage automation infrastructure to make travel seamless, sustainable, enjoyable and secure.
Improving the Journey
We leverage technology to enhance passenger experience. Our teams enable digital connectivity, facilitate safety and security, expedite baggage check and collection, and enhance passenger comfort, health and wellbeing.
Setting the Standards
We develop bespoke sustainability management plans for airport operators that guide sustainable operations.
As authors of PARAS 0016 we developed the methodology and tools to support planning and conduct of airport-wide Security Vulnerability Assessments — a framework that addresses criminal and terrorist threats, and natural hazards.
Building Systems
Our engineers design the net zero energy infrastructure, highperformance terminal and support buildings that drive success and deliver on environmental commitments.
Electric Vehicles
We work with local governments and the private sector to develop feasibility studies and construction projects for many sites. We also lead the way in developing installation studies and standards for local municipalities, such as the Capital Region Public Electric Vehicle Charging Guide in Vancouver Island, BC.
RECENT AWARDS
Have a challenge for us? mobility@introba.com
introba.com/work/sectors/aviation
Building Performance
Optimizing Operations
We empower building owners and occupiers to operate and maintain their buildings effectively and efficiently.
Our team members have deep, hands-on experience in the installation, operation, and troubleshooting of heating ventilation, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and envelope systems; energy management, controls, and building automation systems (BAS).
Using a structured and auditable approach to building commissioning enables us to maximize energy efficiency, decrease operational carbon, improve indoor environmental quality, and reduce operating costs for our clients.
Beyond Checks and Balances
We are active participants across the entire commissioning process for new and existing buildings — from design review through installation, testing, and occupancy.
Commissioning, Covered
From re-commissioning and retro-commissioning to energy audits, building condition assessments, and total building integration testing, we can support the performance verification of today’s high-performance buildings.
Health and Wellbeing
We look beyond a building’s infrastructure to see how optimized buildings can enhance occupants’ well-being by verifying the testing, adjusting, and balancing of air and hydronic systems for efficient operation, thermal comfort and air quality, and effective distribution.
Using Real-time Data
Our bespoke iPerform service offering optimizes energy efficiency, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, reduces operating costs, and maximizes occupant comfort. Have a challenge for us? rachel.lieberman@introba.com
150 Holborn - London, UK © Sidara Collaborative Washington University School of Medicine - St. Louis, USA © Robert Benson Istanbul International Airport City Masterplan – Istanbul, Turkey © Perkins&Will Rogers Place - Edmonton, AB, Canada © Michael RobinsonInspiring Change Empowering Changemakers
Leading by Example, Walking the Talk
Thought Leadership
We give clients access to internationally recognized thought leaders in their fields.
We identify talented young professionals with the potential to become changemakers, providing a platform for them to grow and achieve impact.
introba.com/people/thought-leaders
Industry Engagement
Introba plays an active role in support of professional bodies and industry initiatives.
We are active members of US, Canadian, Australian, and UK Green Building Councils and regularly contribute time and expertise to taskforces, working groups and research initiatives.
Defining Best Practices
We work with professional bodies, industry partners and independently to advance the current state of knowledge across the fields in which we practice. Recent contributions include:
– PARAS 0016 : Airport Security Vulnerability Assessments
– The Radiant Whole Life Carbon Study
– Whole Life Carbon of PV Installations
– CIBSE TM 65 : Embodied carbon in building services
– Renewable Natural Gas : What Role Will It Play in Decarbonization in B.C.?
– World Green Building Council : Beyond Buildings
– Capital Region Public Electric Vehicle Charging Guide
Click on the links above to access these resources. introba.com/news
Impact Fund
Running on an annual basis, our Impact Fund supports thought leadership and transformational initiatives around sustainability and digital innovation, and encourages collaboration with external partners.
introba.com/impact-fund
Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment
We are founding signatories of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC)’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. Introba is Net Zero Carbon for Scopes 1 and 2.
MEP 2040 Challenge
We are signatories of the Carbon Leadership Forum’s MEP 2040 Commitment to advocate for and achieve net zero carbon in our projects: operational carbon by 2030 and embodied carbon by 2040.
introba.com/news/
ESG
We published our first annual corporate social & environmental responsibility report in 2017.
We are now leading the development of the ESG program of our parent company, Sidara. This will provide a platform to share our ongoing performance, alongside other companies within Sidara.
introba.com/esg
CONNECTED TO SUCCESS
Introba is part of a global alliance whose members are consulting and engineering firms with unique and complementary specializations, serving the buildings, transportation, and water sectors.
Together we provide our clients with the resources and reach of a truly global company and the innovative thinking and deep focus of a best-in-class specialty firm.
INTROBA OFFICE
Our alliance enables us to tailor and scale our solutions to our client’s specific needs. Through technical excellence, local knowledge, and future insight we empower positive change in our communities and for our planet.
United
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
introba.com
hello@introba.com
linkedin.com/showcase/introba-canada @Introba_Inc
@introba_inc
Chris Doel Senior Vice President Canada Ali Nazari VP Sustainability & Energy Modeling Bryan Uemoto Managing Principal – Electrical Stuart Hood VP, Institutional Jubin Jalili VP Commercial Rachel Lieberman VP Project Services Andy Chong VP Institutional Stephanie Hammar Principal Scott Ghomeshi Associate Principal Kevin Shea Principal Bruno Vahedi Principal Justin T.K. Chin Principal Ellie Niakan Principal Head of Lighting Design