GRAHAM HOUSE

Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 2020

Our client approached us to work in collaboration with her father, a retired architect. Throughout the process, he served as her sounding board and agent. Our clients' project objective was to convert an existing 2,000 SF house into a "nearly" passive house because they place a high value on sustainability. The extensive conversion involved the addition of a new second level, adding an additional layer of exterior sub-structure with insulation, and a completely new roof with clerestory glazing.

 Some of the tactics we've used to construct Graham House in accordance with the strict passive house standards include:

• Appropriate siting with south facing glazing and brise soleil where applicable.

• A much higher insulation value than typical. (eg. a typical wall is R-20 and roof is R-40, whereas we want a minimum of R-40 everywhere)

• High quality glazing (eg. triple glazed with low emissive coatings)

• An airtight envelope (walls, roof, and windows).

• Use of natural ventilation, with an opportunity for operable skylight or roof vent for stack effect.

• High efficiency heating with heat recovery.

• Low energy appliances.

Project by BOLD Workshop in collaboration with _SA.

Photos by Hayden Pattullo