A Look Inside Canada’s Award-Winning Net Zero Homes

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A Look Inside Canada’s Award-Winning Net Zero Homes

Builders and renovators across Canada submitted their most innovative net zero and  net zero ready homes, battling for the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence. All homes qualified under the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program, so the competition is tough. Let’s explore the 2024 winners in the two net zero home awards categories: Best Production Net Zero Home and Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home.

The first category recognizes beauty and innovation in net zero spec homes, while the latter highlights excellence in bespoke net zero homes and net zero residential renovations. The winners of these categories, revealed in May, gained national recognition after edging out the other finalists.

Canada’s premiere housing awards are awarded by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), which represents some 8,500 home builders, renovators, and businesses adjacent to the residential construction industry. The competition recognizes excellence in numerous categories, including new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing.

Best Production Net Zero Home: Union Village

By Minto Communities GTA and Metropia

street view of lovely net zero home with ston and brick facade against a blue sky - photo

Minto Communities Management Inc. GTA and Metropia, together with RN Design Ltd., Bluewater Energy Inc., Building Knowledge Canada Inc., and HVAC Designs Ltd. built this award-winning net zero home in Markham, ON. Photography by Jordan Probst Photography and Stakreative Works.

This innovative Union Village home emphasizes sustainability on a large scale, prioritizing resident comfort, air quality, and holistic wellbeing alongside energy efficiency.

The exterior seamlessly merges durable brick and stone, enhancing the home’s curb appeal. Inside, a versatile, open-concept layout exudes sophistication. Design elements include white oak herringbone hardwood flooring, waffle and coffered ceilings, and French doors leading to a covered terrace.

An array of smart features, including automated blinds, a state-of-the-art speaker system, adjustable dimmers, and circadian lighting, adds to the allure.

More than just a beautiful, energy efficient space, this net zero home offers exceptional comfort, performance, and quality. As the first net zero home at the Union Village community, this project led the overwhelming success of the builder’s upgrade program. Packages offer enhanced sustainability and net zero operation to customers at production prices.

About 30% of customers are choosing an enhanced envelope, net zero ready, or full net zero package for their home. The buyers enjoy increased insulation, superior airtightness, and triple-pane windows. These features resonated with the buyers, as they could physically perceive the improved comfort and quietness within the home.

This net zero home quashes the myth that efficient designs must be boxy or uninspired. It showcases exceptional design and craftsmanship synonymous with its surrounding community.

Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home: Quarry Park Modern

By RND Construction Ltd. with Hobin Architecture

street view of modern net zero home against darkening sky - photo

RND Construction Ltd., with Hobin Architecture, built this award-winning Net Zero Home in Ottawa, ON.

This innovative net zero ready project showcases remarkable energy performance. The residence meets the client’s sustainability goals while providing all the comforts expected from a custom home.

The thoughtful bungalow design provides flexibility and adaptability, accommodating a growing family, multi-generational living, work-from-home needs, and aging in place. Truly a “forever home,” it fulfills all of the needs of the clients’ lives as they evolve over time.

Nestled above a 20 ft rock face in a densely treed ravine, the home harmoniously blends with nature. Strategically framed views from inside bring a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. A 600 sqft raised terrace, 14 ft ceilings in the main living area, oversized windows, and clerestory windows flood the space with natural light throughout the day.

Integrated, cutting-edge technologies satisfy the client’s demand for luxury and environmental sustainability. Low-SHGC windows, passive solar heating, superior insulation, high-efficiency heat pumps, and smart automation controls for heating and cooling bring both energy efficiency and comfort. The large, flat roof was designed to accommodate a future solar array to generate renewable electricity and reduce reliance on conventional power sources.

We see why the builder’s motto is “sustainability with style.” They blend stunning architecture and innovative features for eco-conscious living with modern comfort.

Year after year, builders across Canada repeatedly raise the stakes in energy efficient home design with net zero projects like these. Check out the other finalists in CHBA’s 2024 Best Production and Best Custom or Renovated categories, or find a Canadian NZ builder or contractor.

The author:

Emily Fielden is a Policy and Communications Analyst at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), the voice of Canada’s residential construction industry. To learn more about the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence visit chba.ca/housingawards.

Our team researches products, companies, studies, and techniques to bring you the best of zero building. Zero Energy Project does not independently verify the accuracy of all claims regarding featured products, manufacturers, or linked articles. Additionally, product and brand mentions on Zero Energy Project do not imply endorsement or sponsorship unless specified otherwise.

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