NELSON

Completed in 2021, this Net Zero, Passive House–certified home was conceived as a next-generation, high-performance residence that pairs exceptional energy efficiency with long-term durability and occupant comfort. The project is located in West Vancouver, BC, on a constrained site defined by a creek fed by headwaters from Cypress Mountain, creating a regulated riparian corridor with significant environmental, geotechnical, and permitting requirements. The fast-moving waterway and dense riparian vegetation provide passive cooling, privacy, and wildlife connectivity, while imposing strict limitations on building footprint, setbacks, excavation, and construction access. Preservation of the site’s natural condition was a primary driver of the design and approvals process, informing building siting, foundation strategy, erosion control measures, and envelope detailing to minimize disturbance and ensure long-term ecological stability.

The home was designed and certified to Passive House standards, achieving up to a 90 percent reduction in heating and cooling energy demand compared to conventional residential construction. Performance is driven by a super-insulated, thermal-bridge-free envelope; high-performance triple-glazed windows; and a continuous airtight layer targeting airtightness levels consistent with Passive House requirements
(≤ 0.6 ACH50). Ventilation and indoor air quality are provided through a high-efficiency heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system, ensuring consistent comfort with minimal energy input.

Annual energy consumption is fully offset through an on-site renewable energy solar photovoltaic system, allowing the home to generate as much energy as it uses on a net annual basis and achieve Net Zero operation. The integrated building-science approach results in extremely low operational energy demand, predictable long-term performance, and reduced lifecycle operating costs, while maintaining a comfortable, family-oriented living environment.

Architecture: Burgers Architecture Inc
Construction: CB Developments
Construction Management: Alex Burgers 
Landscape Design: Ron Rule Consultants
Structural Engineer: Luiz Leon & Associates
Geotechnical Engineer: Phillips & Associates Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Energy Consultant: Ecolighten
Passive House Consultant: Stitch Consulting & Design Inc
Electrical: Voltech Systems Ltd.
Photos: Martin Tessler

Published In:
Elle Decor Canada, Fall 2024
Gray Magazine
Architectural Digest Italy
identity Magazine
Archilovers
Arquitectura y Diseño
Attitude Magazine

Awards:
Residential Sustainable Design: 7th Annual Gray Magazine Awards
LOOP Design Awards: Winner, Architecture, Sustainable + Green 2024