When it came to building a new home for his family, then, Dean not only "wanted to show my community that you can build a beautiful energy-efficient home that doesn't have to cost that much more than a standard home," he says. He also wanted a healthy, comfortable, net-zero, modern home. Moreover, he hoped to set a new precedent for Passive House projects around the globe. 

In collaboration with BattersbyHowat Architects, and general contractor, Naikoon, Dean created a 4,000-square-foot Passive House with solar power in West Vancouver. "We went for PHI certification because it was the most rigorous and is gaining momentum in Canada (through Passive House Canada) and with the BC Government," he adds. The provincial government has set the formidable goal of making all new homes Net-Zero ready 2032.

The three-level modern home sits on the southern slope of the mountains along English Bay. It is positioned to take full advantage of solar heat gain during the winter through floor-to-ceiling glass. In summer, terraces on each level help block direct sun. In combination with Passive House principles, the house also has a solar photovoltaic array to achieve Net Zero Energy Home certifications and Passive House Plus. Passive House Plus is the second level, in Passive House Certification and requires that the home can't consume more than 45 kWh of renewable primary energy and must generate at least 60 kWh/(m²a) of energy in relation to the building's footprint.  

Joining Passive House and Solar Power

The team used cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. They assembled the structure on-site in five days, "which accelerated the project schedule, reduced waste, and resulted in an extremely robust structure," Dean says. The super-insulated envelope has six inches of exterior and six inches of interior insulation over 4.5 solid CLT for walls at R-46, a roof at R-64, and a slab assembly between R-34-60. 

On the lower level, the team used foam panel insulation; the upper levels were insulated with mineral wool. The cantilevered concrete deck is thermally broken from the internal concrete slab using Schock Isokorb. A Passive House-certified cat door reduces energy leaks as it's airtight and well insulated. 

Airtight Construction

The home's airtight building envelope, during a blower test, came in at 0.33 inches ACH 50, significantly below the standard's minimum requirements. Low-E glazing, German-made, triple-glazed Schuco windows, balances reduced solar gain and mechanical cooling in the summer without a too-dark tint that would affect views. Thermal modeling supplemented the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) modeling results to minimize cooling and ensure no overheating. Solar shading (via the terraces) reduced heat gain in the summer. 

Sliding-glass doors and operable windows provide ventilation and cooling from the ocean breezes on warm days. Three large maple trees were saved during construction to provide shading and privacy. The home's ERV system, which uses a modulating by-pass that allows free cooling in the shoulder seasons, includes MERV 11 and 13 filters for protection against particulates during the now regular forest fires. Balanced ventilation with energy recovery ensures no unwanted infiltration. The home also has a drain-water heat recovery system.