Where sustainability, policy, and design meet.
We are sustainable design and planning professionals.
Origin is an award-winning firm that helps local governments, utilities, First Nations, and private sector clients prioritize, assess, and realize their sustainability goals. With extensive experience working with and for local governments and leading organizations across Canada, Origin creates innovative sustainability plans and policies tailored to your needs and priorities
We make the complex clear and engaging. We bring a sustainability lens to every aspect of your organization. We work collaboratively, pragmatically, and proactively to deliver value to our clients.
Let’s work together to rethink your relationship with sustainability and climate change.
What We Do
Planning + Policy
Actionable and authentic climate action plans and policies are key drivers of success across all sectors. At Origin, we have the expertise to help local governments, Indigenous communities, and institutions develop and implement projects like BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code adoption, electric vehicle strategies, and Climate Action Plans. Plan now for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Recent Projects include:
BC Hydro Local Government Low Carbon Building Policy Toolkit (Winner of the 2022 New Directions in Planning Award from the Planning Institute of BC!)
City of Richmond Climate Action Plan Support
Kitasoo / Xai’xais First Nation Community Energy and Emissions Plan
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government Climate Action Plan
Sustainable Design
We provide sustainable design guidance and coordination for development and planning projects, whether it is LEED, Living Building, WELL Standard, or a custom approach. Let’s talk about how to integrate sustainable design into your project goals.
Recent projects include:
City of Surrey Zero-Carbon Building Design Policy Review
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government Sustainable Design Guidelines
Bowers District Master Plan Sustainability Strategy
City of Victoria Step Code Form and Character Study
District of Saanich Bylaw Review for Alignment with High-Performance Buildings and DPA Guidelines
Certifications
Organizations everywhere are thinking holistically about sustainability and how to improve operations and corporate culture. Origin offers stepwise approaches — including developing strategic sustainability plans and coordinating sustainability certifications such as STARS for higher education institutions — to help your organization embed a culture of sustainability.
Recent projects include:
Langara College STARS Certification Support (Silver Rating, Road to Gold Action Plan, and ongoing support)
University of the Fraser Valley STARS Certification Support (Silver Rating achieved)
Douglas College STARS Certification Support (Silver Rating and Road to Gold Action Plan)
Feature Projects
CleanBC Indigenous Community Energy Coach Program
BC MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINES AND LOW CARBON INNOVATION
Origin designed and currently leads this innovative incentive and capacity building program to improve energy literacy and facilitate heat pump installations in Indigenous communities across BC. The program is a key component of the CleanBC plan.
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS
Origin helps coordinate STARS certification processes for higher education institutions. STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Origin has supported Langara College, University of the Fraser Valley, and Douglas College on their STARS certification processes.
AASHE STARS Certification
BC HYDRO
Origin worked with AES Engineering on the design and delivery of this user-friendly and accessible Toolkit that provides local governments with recommended policies, guidelines, and bylaws to support the transition to low carbon buildings in their communities. This project won the 2022 New Directions in Planning Award from the Planning Institute of BC!
Low Carbon Building Policy Toolkit
Who We’ve Worked With
Origin has been fortunate to work with a variety of leading organizations, including:
Who We Are
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Devon Miller
PRINCIPAL AND FOUNDER
p: 250.857.4416
Devon is a sustainability planner with over a decade of experience working with governments, Indigenous communities and leading organizations across Canada. He has expertise at the nexus of design, policy, and sustainability, with experience working on complex and innovative projects at a variety of scales.
Devon was previously the Community Energy Planner for the City of Victoria, leading on progressive initiatives such as the adoption of the BC Energy Step Code, as well as innovative building retrofit strategies and programs. Prior to that, he led the sustainability practice at Perkins+Will’s Toronto office, working with a variety of clients on industry-leading sustainable design projects. He brings an open, collaborative and pragmatic approach to his projects.
When he’s not working, Devon spends his time exploring Vancouver Island with his wife, Chloe, and two kids, Paige and Elliot.
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Mark McNaughton
SUSTAINABILITY PLANNER
p: 587.215.7941
Mark is a multidisciplinary community and sustainability planner that works with clients to achieve their goals for projects and build sustainable communities. Mark brings a thoughtful, collaborative, and detailed approach to projects to deliver value to clients. His expertise ranges from community planning to retrofit programs to sustainable design policies.
Prior to joining Origin, Mark was a Planner at the City of Victoria, where he worked on a wide range of plans such as neighbourhood plans, placemaking, and urban design and public realm projects. Mark has also worked for the Canadian Urban Sustainability Practitioners Network (CUSP) on projects related to energy and equity considerations as well as local government residential retrofit programs for the Capital Regional District. Mark has a diverse background in data analytics and sustainability research, working at the nexus of urban economics, sustainable design, and community planning.
Our Philosophy
At Origin, we partner with clients that undertake strong and meaningful sustainability work. In addition to working with sustainability-minded clients, we try to 'walk the sustainability talk' in order to make an impact through our work both for the client and for the planet. That’s why we are proud members of 1% for the Planet.
As a business member, 1% of our gross sales go to supporting nonprofits doing great work on environmental issues. Since launching, 1% for the Planet has certified more than $250 million in support to approved environmental nonprofits.
Our Network
Origin works with a close-knit team of associates and technical specialists, including Innes Hood (energy modelling and technical analysis) and Carrie Hubka (graphic design), and is a partner with Barefoot Planning.
We also regularly collaborate with a number of like-minded professionals, including planners, architects, landscape architects, and engineers.
Let’s talk!
Want to talk to us about your project or have a question?
We regularly work with public, private, and First Nation clients on a range of impactful projects.
We’d be happy to discuss your project and how we can support your organization’s sustainability goals.
e: devon@originplanning.com
t: 250..857.4416
Victoria, BC