| Project Type | Custom House |
| Client | Private |
| Neighbourhood | Alcove, QC |
| Concept | Contemporary Sustainable Design (Passive House & Net Zero) |
| Contractor | TBD |
The clients of the House on the Hill requested a home that integrates seamlessly into the surrounding landscape of a well-forested hill in Alcove, Quebec. They sought an eco-friendly, fossil fuel-free, and durable house that could accommodate their growing family. The house is positioned to take advantage of the beautiful view of the Gatineau River to the south. We designed the House on the Hill according to Passive House standards to minimize energy requirements
Site
The site, located north of Wakefield, spans approximately 13.25 hectares (32 acres) and is well-treed with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. The large hill features a slope that descends toward the south, making it ideal for utilizing southern exposure for heating. The house is situated at the top of the hill, near the southeast corner, providing an optimal location to enjoy the stunning view of the Gatineau River.
Appearance
The materials selected for the House on the Hill include vertical white siding and natural wood, chosen to honour the surrounding trees. Durability and a low carbon footprint are essential considerations. The primary design is a modest home with a gable roof, where the south slope is designed to accommodate solar panels (PV), enabling the house to achieve Net-Zero Energy performance. Features such as a three-season room, front porch, and back balcony soften the main form, resulting in an expression that is both elegant and unobtrusive.
The house is modest in size and includes two bedrooms, a reading area, and an office on the second floor. The main floor offers a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, pantry, laundry, and mechanical room, with each floor also featuring a full bathroom. The primary bedroom comes equipped with an ensuite and a walk-in closet. The dining room includes an open-to-above section that connects the second floor to the main floor, enhancing natural light penetration and ventilation.
Technology
At ARCA-VERDE, we aim for all technology within the house to have minimal visibility. While this can be challenging when pursuing sustainable ideals, it is achievable by allowing the architecture to be the primary response. Instead of relying on technology or equipment to heat, cool, and ventilate the building, we focus on the shape of the building, the interior layout, and window placement. The design promotes natural ventilation, with an east-west long axis featuring large south-facing windows that allow winter sunlight to warm the interior, nearly eliminating the need for supplemental mechanical heating. Ample natural light reaches all rooms, except for the mechanical space, pantry, and walk-in closet. Careful window placement connects the interior to the exterior, allowing the surrounding tall pines to become part of the interior experience. Solar shades will be installed on the exterior of the house for the months of June, July, August, and September to help reduce cooling energy loads, with their placement coordinated with the decks and landscaping.
Functional Description
The functional layout is open and flexible, allowing overlapping functions to create a creative and friendly environment without increasing the house’s size. A wood-burning fireplace is centrally located in the three-season room to maximize efficiency and provides a connection to the main house interior through the kitchen glass door, which separates the Passive Envelope from the three-season space.
ARCA-VERDE has carefully considered every detail in the House on the Hill (Alcove Passive House). The thoughtful placement of functions and spatial arrangement leads to an economical use of space. Designing with the environment in mind results in a home with a low ecological footprint and a bright interior that reconnects occupants with their external surroundings.
Material and Design Features
