Site size: 3,564 sf Project size: 2,758 sf

Program: DLP Architecture’s Lucio Picciano set out to build an internationally certified Passive House—the first in Vancouver and the sixth in all of Canada—that would balance energy efficiency with the needs of his growing family. 

Location: Hastings-Sunrise, Vancouver, B.C

Solution: The house’s simple, rectangular form avoids thermal bridges and excess articulation, helping it meet the strict criteria for Passive House certification. Its open main floor plan includes two bedrooms, and a family room is located on the third floor. In order to maximize solar gain, the architect prioritized glazing on the house’s south facade—even though scenic mountain views lie to the north. A roof deck solves this problem, allowing his family to enjoy the northern landscape. An adjacent laneway residence allows for multigenerational living and/or rental income; this annex is not certified under Passive House criteria, although it was designed with the same ideas in mind.

Construction and materials: The above ground floors are wood-framed and finished with vertical metal siding. Select edges are clad in western red cedar, contrasting the mostly metallic exterior finish. The basement was built with standard concrete retaining walls, supported with a fully insulated slab and footings.

Completion date: December 2015

Total project cost: $600,000 (Canadian dollars)

Total construction cost: $535,000 (Canadian dollars)


People

Architect:

Lucio Picciano
DLP Architecture
806-318 Homer St.
Vancouver BC
V6B 2V2
T: 778-889-6849
lucio@dlpdesigns.com

Interior designer: DLP Architecture, Inc.

Engineers: Bengt Jansson - Jansson Structural Consulting ltd.

General contractor: DLP Architecture Inc

Photographer: Mike O'Hanley, Barn Owl Photography

Consultants

Energy Consultant: Monte Paulsen - Red Door Energy Design Ltd
Passive House Certifier: Francesco Nesi - Zephir Passivhaus

 

 

Products

Structural System

Basement and footings: 8" concrete foundations and 5" floor slab
Upper floors:2x6 advanced wood framing using Structural select Fir and TJI/fibreform joists and rimjoists

Exterior Cladding

Metal panels: Westform WF12 smooth with kynar finish
-installed vertically for integrated rainscreen.
-one piece panels of 26' height for no joints.

Metal/glass curtain wall: Structural steel exterior stairs custom welded and galvanized with recycled steel grate used for railings and guards.

Rainscreen: Integrated rainscreen at metal panel, 1x4 PT rainscreen under german super panel

Wood: Select edge grain western red cedar installed vertically with 20' long pieces.

Moisture barrier: Siga Majpell and Tyvek Homewrap

Other cladding unique to this project: German Super Panel, 4x8 sheets installed with exposed fasteners over rainscreen

Insulation
4" of compressed mineral wool insulation (no thermal bridges)

Roofing

Roof Deck: 2 ply SBS torch on from Soprema

Elastomeric: Metal: 12" Standing Seam Metal with Kynar finish

Other: Siga MajCoat at top shed roof under metal standing seam.

Windows

Wood frame: uPVC tilt and turn from Euroline (Euroline 4700 series triple pane)

Glazing

Glass: Cardinal triple pane 180/Clear/180 - uvalue 0.63

Doors

Entrances: Euroline 4700 series full glass lite - all

Wood doors: Standard flush panel solid core

Sliding doors: Standard flush panel solid core

Stairs

Exterior and interior: custom steel with solid fir treads and open risers

Interior finish: powder coating of steel with smooth sanded treads

Exterior finish: galvanized steel with rough sawn treads

Interior Finishes

Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: All cabinets custom mdf flush panel or ikea glossy white hacked, wood detailing all edge grain Fir 1x6

Paints and stains: Sherwin Williams

Solid surfacing: Quartzite countertops - all

Floor and wall tile: 24"x24" ceramic tile - main level and bathrooms, 5/8" solid oak hardwood floors - all other floors

Raised flooring: the main stair from 2nd to 3rd level is a custom powder coated steel structure with 3" solid fir treads and open risers. the partition wall is floor to ceiling glass with fir and steel support posts.

Special interior finishes unique to this project: the main stair from 2nd to 3rd level is a custom powder coated steel structure with 3" solid fir treads and open risers. the partition wall is floor to ceiling glass with fir and steel support posts.

Lighting

Interior ambient lighting: All lighting 5" LED potlights

Exterior: Marine fixtures with LED bulbs

Energy

Photovoltaic system: 3kw roof top array

Other unique products that contribute to sustainability: IR heating wall mounted infrared heater for main floor, in-line post heater attached to HRV for rest of house heating

Add any additional building components or special equipment that made a significant contribution to this project: Paul Novus 300 HRV with frost protection and duct silencers for maximum acoustical value.

Ventilation
Paul Novus 92% eff HRV