Project Specs

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Building Type: Multi-Unit Residential
Certification Type: None
Year of Construction: 2015
Gross Floor Area (m2): 280
Treated Floor Area (m2): 241

Project Description

Another 1st for Marken Design + Consulting – 1st Certified Passive House MURB Duplex in Vancouver, BC.

The Passive House standard is the most stringent building energy standard in the world. Design, location, contractors, climate and construction method are the most crucial components impacting the end result and whether this standard can be achieved or not. Therefore, it is essential to set goals from the very beginning and have a common understanding of the challenges and the process.

Some important features include triple pane windows, high performance heat recovery ventilation system, advanced framing elements, ultra airtightness concept and thermal bridge free design. In addition, this is a Net Zero Energy Ready building prepared to install an array of photovoltaic planels on the southfacing garage roof to produce electricity all year round cutting the utility costs to almost zero.

Vancouver’s new building bylaws now require increased energy efficiency; this project aims to demonstrate how to exceed these goals and add value for the same construction costs as a standard custom home to maximize our client’s ROI.


Thermal Envelope

Exterior Wall: Interior Gypsum Board
2x6 Stud construction with Roxul insulation (036)
Plywood Sheathing
Exterior Rigid Insulation-Roxul Comfoboard (036)

U-value = 0.127 W/(m2K)
Basement Floor/Floor Slab: Hardwood Floor
EPS (032) underlayment
Concrete Slab
EPS (032) below Slab
Granular Fill
Roof: Interior Gypsum Board
2x4 Stud Framing w Roxul Insulation (032)
Plywood Sheathing
TJI framing Roxul Insulation (032)
U-value = 0.077 W/(m2K)
Window: Euroline Triple Pane Glazing - Argon Gas filled

U g-value = 0.63 W/(m2K)
g -value = 55 %

Mechanical System

Ventilation: Zehnder , Comfo Air 200
heat recovery unit
specif. eff. HRE: 92%
electric power consumption of 0.42 Wh/m³
Heating/Cooling: DIMPLEX Mini baseboard heaters
Domestic Hot Water: VIESSMANN Solar Hot Water System with high efficiency electric hotwatertank
Tank Size = 300 liter