Project Specs
| Location: | Victoria, British Columbia |
| Building Type: | Multi-Unit Residential |
| Project Phase: | Certified |
| Certification Type: | Passive House Classic |
| Year of Construction: | 2016 |
| Gross Floor Area (m2): | 280 |
| PHPP Verification: | Download |
Project Description
This new Passive House modeled duplex was designed by Cascadia Architects. True to the Passive House design, it has a highly efficient and controlled interior environment that dramatically reduces the homes energy consumption, and increases comfort and health for the inhabitants.
The entire building was modeled inside the Passive House energy software down to the last detail. The passive solar heat gains, through precisely placed windows provide the majority of the buildings heat. Carefully calculated overhangs, and window location and size limit overheating in the summer months. The building is air-tight to stop unconditioned air from infiltrating the building envelope, with the interior fresh air exchanges controlled by an HRV unit. Additional insulation and special high-efficiency windows were installed to slow heat loss. Thermal bridging of every structural component was calculated and detailed to reduce energy transfer.
We were able to reclaim some of the old fir flooring from the previous building. After resurfacing it, we created some custom millwork around the kitchen island. The main level floors are polished concrete, and the upstairs flooring is maple. Smart choices on the finishes resulted in good economy with an incredible modern look and feel.
Thermal Envelope
| Exterior Wall: | 13 mm gypsum board R14 Batt insulation 38 mm x 89 mm @ 400 mm wood studs 13 mm plywood sheathing Siga Majvest weather barrier 150 mm Roxul CavityRock insulation w/ z-grit clips 38 mm x 89 mm horizontal strapping 19 mm cedar siding U-value = 0.156 W/(m2K) |
| Basement Floor/Floor Slab: | 38 mm concrete top coat 25 mm XPS insulation 19 mm plywood sheathing 300 mm TJI @ 400 mm floor joists R40 batt insulation U-value = 0.128 W/(m2K) |
| Roof: | 13 mm gypsum board 38 mm x 89 mm @ 400 mm drop ceiling joists R14 batt insulation 13 mm OSB sheathing 406 mm @ 400 mm trusses 2 layer R28 batt insulation 13 mm plywood sheathing Torch-on roofing membrane U-value = 0.11 W/(m2K) |
| Window: | SGG PLANITHERM ULTRA N (4:/16/4/16/:4 Ar 90%) U g-value = 0.63 W/(m2K) g -value = 55 % |
Mechanical System
| Ventilation: | Zehnder, ComfoAir 350 Whole system efficiency (PHPP): 77% Electrical efficiency: 0.29 Wh/m3 Decentralized ventilation system. Each dwelling is served by it's own unit. Bedrooms and living rooms are supply zones. Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are exhaust rooms. All other floor spaces are transfer zones. |
| Heating/Cooling: | Electric resistance heating utilized. Each upper floor bathroom has electronically heated floors. Each living room has a wall-mounted electric convection heater. |
| Domestic Hot Water: | Rheem Marathon water heaters installed, one per dwelling. |
