Branching out: BMO opens second net-zero energy branch and wins big at the REmmy Awards

In 2024, BMO opened our very first net-zero energy Branch in Kitchener, Ontario, setting a milestone for the bank and demonstrating our commitment to creating a sustainable future. We’re honoured that this branch, located at Fischer Hallman and Bleams, recently won CoreNet Canada’s 2025 REmmy Award for Workplace Excellence & Innovation in Real Estate Projects (under 20,000 sq.ft.). This honour celebrates projects that raise the bar for real estate in Canada through innovation and sustainability.  

Building on that success, we are thrilled to announce that we recently opened our second net-zero energy branch at Marlborough Mall in Calgary, Alberta, where we took on an even colder climate! 

What makes these buildings sustainable? 

It's all in the construction Both branches are designed to meet Passive House and Zero Carbon Building Certification standards. Passive House is focused on exceptional energy efficiency through high-performance design principles and passive measures. These include high-quality insulation to prevent heat loss, advanced airtight construction techniques to eliminate drafts and leaks, and high-performance triple-glazed windows positioned to maximize solar heat and light. Efficient mechanical systems with energy recovery provide a constant supply of fresh air while retaining most of the heat from exhausted air. Finally, orientation and shading elements, such as canopies, take advantage of passive solar gains, reducing the need for artificial heating. 

These principles achieve a significant reduction in energy consumed for heating and cooling—and the associated greenhouse gas emissions—by as much as 80% compared to a standard build. 

How we produce a net-zero energy building 

To achieve net-zero energy, the building must produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, reaching a balance across the seasons. We accomplished this through on-site renewable energy generation using solar panels. 

Bringing Passive House and Zero Carbon Building together is no easy task 

Combining these two standards was crucial to creating not only an energy-efficient building, but one constructed with materials and processes that reduce environmental impact. Achieving alignment with the Zero Carbon building standard involved strategies such as using low-carbon, highly recyclable and regenerative materials. The result? A highly efficient building that reduces reliance on fossil fuels during operation and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from construction. 

Our Marlborough Mall branch is a celebration of today’s technology paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow. This vision is expressed in the commissioned mural Flying High by Calgary-based artist Doug Driediger, located behind the branch teller line. The mural reflects Calgary’s energetic, optimistic creativity, featuring the dramatic skyline and abundant natural world—testaments to the city’s beauty. 

The Fischer Hallman and Marlborough Mall branches reflect more than just innovative design—they showcase BMO’s leadership in sustainability and our commitment to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.   

These milestones demonstrate how BMO thinks beyond the traditional use and operations of real estate and embedding environmental responsibility. Each branch is a tangible example of how we're investing in the future—reducing our carbon footprint, embracing cutting-edge standards and creating spaces that serve our customers and communities while working towards a sustainable future.