Project Specs

Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Climate Zone: Cool-Temperate
Building Type: Single Family Residential
Project Phase: Certified
Certification Type: Passive House Classic
Year of Construction: 2020
Gross Floor Area (m2): 161.5
Treated Floor Area (m2): 161.5

Project Description

Located on the shores of the Squamish River, British Columbia, this single family Passive House opens its main living area to the foothills hills of Mt Lapworth to the West, the iconic Stawamus Chief to the South and the imposing silhouette of Mt. Garibaldi to the East.

The beautiful coastal-alpine style of the building is the result of its future resident’s desire for a light ecological footprint home and Blue Water Concepts’ philosophy of sustainable design that respects the land, its people, and the environment.

This light ecological footprint was made possible by the adoption, early in the design process, of all fundamental Passive House principles, including optimizing floor layout for optimum natural lighting and taking advantage of predominant winds conditions for efficient natural cross-ventilation.

Built using traditional materials and construction techniques, the building certified to Passive House Classic in 2020. For more information: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_6036

Architecture: Blue Water Concepts
Construction: Blue Water Concepts
Structural Engineering: WHM Structural Engineers
Passive House Consultant: MIZU Passive House Consulting
Passive House Building Certification: Peel Passive House Consulting
Pictures: Kristen McGaughey Photography


Thermal Envelope

Exterior Wall: Below Grade: 0.085 W/m2K
0.5" Gypsum
2x4/24 Wood Studs with Knauf EcoBatt
2" Rockwoll
ICF EPS Type 2 (2.75"-6"-2.75")
6.25" EPS-Type 2

Above Grade: 0.082 W/m2K
0.5" Gypsum
2x4/24 Wood Studs with Knauf EcoBatt
2x6/24 Wood Studs with Knauf EcoBatt
0.75" Plywood Sheathing
9" Rockwool

U-value = 0.083 W/(m2K)
Basement Floor/Floor Slab: 10" Concrete CIP
22" Geofoam
U-value = 0.06 W/(m2K)
Roof: 0.5" Gypsum
2x6/24 Wood Rafters with Knauf EcoBatt
0.63 Plywood Sheathing
1.5" Rockwool
Engineered Wood Trusses with Rockwool Batt
18" Blow-in Cellulose

U-value = 0.063 W/(m2K)
Window: Cardinal Glass (180/180/i89)
U g-value = 0.604 W/(m2K)
g -value = 531 %

Mechanical System

Ventilation: Zehnder, ComfoAir Q-350
HRE Unit: 90%
HRE Effective: 84%
Heating/Cooling: Zehnder ComfoInline HRV Supply Air Heater
Bathroom direct electric infloor heat-mats
Wall mounted direct electric heaters
Domestic Hot Water: Sanden CO2 Gen3 Heat-Pump
83-GAL Tank