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The design is set in a residential neighborhood in Toronto. A park surrounds the site as well as low-lying houses that play a key role in the design of the house. The shape of the mass has three units that are two storeyed and connected by a shared space. The unit on the left is the four people unit with the ground floor consisting of all the shared activities in the unit such as the living and dining and the second floor consists of all the bedrooms. The unit on the far right is the six people unit that has the shared spaces within the unit on the ground floor along with a bedroom for the seniors who cannot climb the stairs, although latest technology energy efficient measures such as stairlifts will be asked to consider for the occupants. The second floor once again consists of all the bedrooms. The unit in between has a shared space for all three units on the ground floor, a gym, a library and study as well as a shared laundry. On top is the two people housing unit. Almost shaped like a boomerang, the four people and six people unit have their own private green space and a shared green space in between all the units. Greenery around the building is not only a measure to mimic the surroundings of the house but also a measure of passive energy.

Passive and active energy solutions are key to the design of the structure. The angled roof along the sides of the two housing units (four and six) has been put, angled towards the south for direct sunlight to hit the solar panels on the roof. Solar panels convert sunlight to electric power. Energy storage has also been considered for backup power and peak loads. Passive solar energy measures have also been taken as the site, location, solar orientation and angle have been kept in mind. It allowed the placement of windows in the design to let in ample natural light. Windows that are to be used for the design will have insulated frames with triple pane glass filled with insulating Krypton gas. Windows all around the houses gave way to another passive energy solution, which is natural ventilation. The shape of the mass is such that it creates small courtyards in front of the two housing units and in between all three units. It allows overall passive ventilation and acts as a heat management strategy providing a cooling effect for the complex.

Geothermal energy has been used to provide radiant floor heating and general heating of the house, it can also be used to heat or cool the water supply in the building year round. It would be more useful to use in the two people housing unit as it does not have an angled roof for the panels. Thermal mass has also been considered to improve the comfort of the house, as Toronto goes through the extremes of both winter and summer. When used well and combined with passive solar design, thermal mass can play an important role in major reductions to energy use in active heating and cooling systems. Using energy efficient lighting and energy efficient star appliances inside the house will add more to this near zero energy housing complex.

Plans, Elevations, and Sections

Program

Site Context

Exterior, Interior

Toronto Climate

Environmental Design Strategies

Architectural Detail (Concrete Construction, Glass Construction)