Project Specs
| Location: | Victoria, British Columbia |
| Building Type: | Single Family Residential |
| Project Phase: | Under Construction |
| Certification Type: | Passive House Classic |
| Year of Construction: | 2021 |
| Gross Floor Area (m2): | 219.7 |
| PHPP Verification: | Download |
Project Description
Pontoon Cove Eco House is a modern home perched above the ocean on a rocky point on Vancouver Island. The design embraces sustainability holistically, including environmentally and healthy materials in and out, as well as a photovoltaic array on the roof which should result in net zero operating energy demand. We are using Passive House certified fiberglass windows manufactured in BC, as well as a certified front door and huge wood sliders manufactured on Vancouver Island. The home is built above a crawl space, so we were able to avoid rigid insulation within the primary envelope of the house all-together.
Despite stunning floor to ceiling windows which captured the expansive ocean view, the PHPP model indicated only 2 overheating days without active cooling due to the careful placement of shading elements and passive ventilation. We will be providing a mini-split system which provides heating and cooling potential to future proof the home.
Our clients were looking for a house that married pragmatism and minimalism with West Coast Modern architecture inspired by the rugged waterfront site. The moody and dark exterior cladding is a combination of greys and slate stone colours inspired by the rocky shore below. The light wood soffits and accents present a warm and welcoming underside to kayakers and our clients as they enjoy the many outdoor living spaces incorporated in the design. A large triangular deck projects out to the view, like the prow of a boat. Below, a more intimate covered outdoor living space at grade is integrated with the landscape.
Pontoon Cove Eco-House boasts the following high-performance assemblies, using low-embodied carbon materials and avoiding completely the use of rigid insulation or concrete in the primary assemblies:
- Walls U-Value / R-Value: U0.104 W/m2K = R54.6
- Floors U-Value / R-Value: U0.137W/m2K = R41.5
- Roof U-Value / R-Value: 0.100W/m2K = R56.8
Project Team:
Architecture + Interiors: ONE SEED Architecture + Interiors
Construction: Interactive Construction
CPHD: Reed Cassidy – Adapt Energy Advising
Structural Engineer: Blackwell Engineers
Landscape: Green Space Designs
