| Project Type | Custom House |
| Client | Private |
| Neighbourhood | Beckwith, ON |
| Concept | Contemporary Sustainable Design (Net Zero) |
| Contractor | The Conscious Builder Inc. |
ARCA-VERDE is pleased to introduce the Beckwith NetZero Project. The clients requested a home designed for their family, attuned to the surroundings, that generates enough energy to meet demand. The clients intend to live in the home with their young family in a compact and energy-efficient manner. However, the interior should be carefully designed to provide as much flexibility as possible.
Site
The project site is situated along the ski-doo trail known as The Beast in the Beckwith area. The clearing through the trees influenced the project concept and site planning. The house is located mid-site to ensure maximum solar exposure and to provide distance from the existing, mature trees along the road.
Appearance
ARCA-VERDE was delighted to work with the clients to develop a simple expression that reflects the site, the environment, and the clients.
The house is composed of 2 volumes; one, the main house, is presented at the west and orientated towards the south, it is a result of the NetZero requirements; the second, the garage volume, is located on the east, working with the neighbouring front yard setback, it is rotated to present to the street. The garage includes a second-floor art and music studio.
The result is an expression that is elegant and unimposing, and that reflects the site and the clients’ personalities.
Technology
It is ARCA-VERDE’s desire that all technology within a house have little to no presence. It can be difficult to achieve sustainable ideals, but by allowing the architecture to be the first response, it becomes achievable. Rather than relying on technology or equipment to light, heat, cool, and ventilate the building, the building’s shape, interior configuration, and window placement are all required. For the Beckwith NetZero Project, the house’s shape promotes natural lighting in all rooms except the mechanical room, the main-floor washroom, and the second-floor washroom.
Natural ventilation is provided with low windows that allow air to enter the house and rise to the higher windows on the opposite sides. The east-west long axis and large south-facing windows allow the winter sun to heat the interior, reducing the need for supplemental mechanical heat. Carefully places windows that connect the interior to the exterior, allowing the surrounding tall trees and yards to be part of the house interior.
The building shape and off-center peak maximize the roof surface area facing south, allowing solar panels to generate enough energy to operate the house (NetZero Energy).
Functional Description
The interior of the Beckwith NetZero Project is divided into two zones; all public and semi-private functions are located on the main floor, and the private functions are on the upper level. Without a basement, the mechanical equipment is behind the kitchen and pantry area. At only 1,650 square feet, the interior layout uses open-plan concepts and a double-height space over the living room to create a sense of openness.
The open-concept plan creates expansive interior views, allows natural light to penetrate, and offers few obstacles to natural ventilation. However, the plan also includes areas of repose and isolation, with a second-floor Den and a main-floor reading nook under the stairs.
The main floor uses custom-made movable furniture for everyday use while allowing flexibility for large gatherings. The kitchen island and entrance bench include wheels that allow them to be easily repositioned.
The second level is divided by the stair opening and the double-height living room space, the master bedroom and the ensuite, which is separated from the two bedrooms and bathroom in the children’s wing. A small Den can serve as a kids’ toy area or a study area when the kids are older.
The functional layout is intended to be void of formal circulation. Overlapping functions foster a creative and friendly environment without increasing the size of the house. A wood-burning fireplace is located at the center of the floor plate in the double-height space to maximize its effectiveness.
ARCA-VERDE has considered every detail in the Beckwith NetZero Project. The placement of functions and arrangement of space creates an economy of space. Designing with the environment in mind creates a home with a low impact on the earth, a bright interior, and a reconnection to the exterior environment.
Working with these clients has been an honour, and we are excited by what has transpired.
Material and Design Features
