CAMBIE
Project at a Glance
Location: Cambie
Year completed: Fall 2024
Awards: HAVAN AWARD
2025 BEST ENERGY LABELLED HOME: Custom
Lot size: 4900 sq ft
Main House: 3482 sq ft
5 bed | 4 bath
Architect + Interior: Scott & Scott Architects
Photo: Paul Grdina Photography
The Brief
The Client wanted to have a very “Vancouver” craftsman style home that fit seamlessly into the neighbourhood with an interior that was both modern and inviting. A reflection of the way this young family lives.
The Challenge
Building a Certified Net-Zero home on a 33-foot lot in the middle of Vancouver doesn't leave much room for error. Every system has to work together precisely: the building envelope, the mechanical design, and the on-site energy generation all have to be integrated from the start, not layered on at the end. A lot this size also calls for creative thinking about where to place solar infrastructure without compromising the design.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Our Approach
Net-zero construction means building a home that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year — so it has a net-zero impact on the energy grid. Achieving that requires treating the home as a complete, integrated, and high-performing system rather than a structure with green features added on.
On this project, we started with a highly efficient building envelope (the exterior surfaces that protect the structure from the elements), engineering it to minimize energy loss from the ground up. For mechanical systems, we installed geothermal technology to handle heating, cooling, and domestic hot water for the entire home on a single 40-amp breaker.
To offset what the home does consume, we designed a solar array across both the flat roof section of the home and the garage, maximizing generation on a constrained footprint using high-efficiency panels.
The Result
The home produces 125% of the energy it consumes — meaning the owners don't just break even on their energy costs, they come out ahead. At the end of each year, rather than paying a hydro bill, they are in the unique position of receiving a cheque from BC Hydro.
The project was recognized with the HAVAN Award for Best Energy Labelled Home in 2023, one of a small number of net-zero homes in Vancouver to achieve this level of verified performance.
