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North Vancouver Passive House Plus by MGA - Michael Green Architecture

Project name:
North Vancouver Passive House Plus
Architecture firm:
MGA - Michael Green Architecture
Location:
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Photography:
Ema Peter
Principal architect:
Michael Green
Design team:
Michael Green, Jordan van Dijk, Marie Claire Bligh, Guadalupe Font
Collaborators:
Red Door Energy Design Ltd. (Energy Advisor), RDH Building Science Inc. (Envelope Consultant), Ocean Sun Geotechnical Ltd. (Geotechnical)
Interior design:
Sahra Samnani
Built area:
2,535 ft²
Site area:
Design year:
Completion year:
2017
Civil engineer:
Structural engineer:
Wicke Herfst Maver
Environmental & MEP:
Landscape:
Lighting:
Supervision:
Visualization:
Tools used:
Construction:
Material:
Wood, Glass, Concrete
Client:
Kathy Fung and David Roberts
Status:
Completed
Typology:
Residential › House

MGA - Michael Green Architecture: This home combines the character and heritage of the past with the innovation and sustainability needs of the future. The owners of this North Vancouver Craftsman bungalow, originally built in 1912, envisioned a home that reflected the history of its location and of their 20 years living there as a family, while being functionally and visually inspiring and highly energy efficient.

Over three years, the house was transformed by our team into a modern, energy efficient home that retains its history and character. This was the first Passive House Plus certified home in the lower mainland of BC, a standard which requires ultra-low energy consumption with up to 90 per cent reduction and is a step further than the internationally recognized Passive House standard. Meeting the requirements of Passive House Plus is a challenge, and in a renovation these challenges add another level of complexity to every aspect of the design.

contemporary home with garden image © Ema Peter

The existing construction was restored to preserve the heritage and materials of the house, with elements of the original structure, façade, and wood windows conserved and improved to improve efficiency. Old growth fir from the deconstructed portion of the building was repurposed to create customized millwork, furniture and a striking feature chandelier. A high-performance envelope, including triple-glazed windows, was hidden behind the heritage exterior of the north half of the house, while contemporary elements appear throughout with the south portion of the house, exemplifying dramatic, modern architectural design.

Passivhaus architecture design image © Ema Peter

The new element of the house is a simple modern volume that reflects and complements the form and character of the existing bungalow. A dramatic cantilever of the roof provides a large covered balcony that wraps the master bedroom. This entire volume is clad in “shou sugi ban”, or charred cypress siding. This traditional Japanese method of treating wood creates a beautiful and rich texture and provides an inherent treatment to the material that increases the weather resistance and prevents rot and insects, while also reducing the need for additional finishes like paint or stain.

modern house with illumination at night image © Ema Peter

The interiors were designed to honour the character and history of the existing home and connect it with the new extension. A simple palette of natural wood and white materials was chosen, along with bespoke built-in storage and minimalist lighting to provide a ‘canvas’ for the owner’s collection of artwork, while an open plan layout and chef’s kitchen allow them to host large gatherings for family and friends.

The completed home sets an example of how existing structures can be preserved and updated and serves as a benchmark for future Passive House Plus projects. Today the owners regularly invite friends and family to share and enjoy their home, a highly sustainable, functional and beautiful space that celebrates its history while looking toward the future.

black house surrounded with green vegetation

North Vancouver Passive House Plus by MGA - Michael Green Architecture

slide door open to terrace

living room with slide window

natural sunlight enters living room

pendant lamps hanged in corridor

modern white kitchen

kitchen sink and cabinets

wooden dining table and chairs

bedroom with garden view

bathroom washing basins

dining area next to living room

black office room interior

dressing room design

ground floor plan

upper floor plan

site plan

architecture section drawing

 


By Naser Nader Ibrahim

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