This project began with the decision to rebuild, rather than demolish, a 1970 bi-level structure. The house sits atop the north bank of Mill Creek and has unimpeded south exposure and views of the forest below.

Changes made to update the structure:

• Removal of stairs to front door and basement, and partitions in main floor
• Heat-absorbing triple pane, low-E fibreglass windows installed across south and west walls, for passive solar heating. Replacement of all other windows
• New basement concrete slab with insulation beneath and radiant heat system
• Dyed, polished, and heated concrete main floors
• All new water and sewer lines and electrical wiring throughout
• 5 inches of polystyrene insulation with rain screen applied to all exterior walls
• Raised roof to support solar photo-voltaics and provide summer shade
• Steel roofing installed and acrylic wall finish

To achieve ‘net zero’ energy use:

• Air-tight building practices and window installation
• Heat recovery ventilator with ducting to all rooms
• 6-zone in-floor heating and domestic hot water by wood pellet boiler – waste wood with current renewal and carbon uptake - rather than fossil fuel
• Concrete floors acting as solar heat sink at both levels
• Low-flow toilets and faucets, and high efficiency washers. No clothes dryer
• High efficiency, low particulate free-standing wood stove on main floor
• Thermal chimney: remote controlled opening window at top of high ceiling to naturally expel hot interior air during warm weather
• 5 kilowatt PV panel system facing south at 30º, tied into electrical grid
• LED and mini-fluorescent lighting and motion detector interior switching

The house is now comfortable in any weather and filled with natural light.