Harmony House 7990 Joffre Ave. Burnaby, B.C.
South Elevation of the Harmony House Project
East Elevation of the Harmony House Project
Site
Harmony House is being constructed on a18.288 m x 64.368m (60’ x 200’) existing municipal lot located at 7990 Joffre Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia. This lot is located in an area of Burnaby that was originally developed in the 1950’s and 60’s. The lot is located on a south facing slope with a view of the City of Richmond and in the far distance the US San Juan Islands. The rear of the lot, to the east, is bordered by a neighbouring property and beyond by a park and Kaymar Creek. The lot is located on a bus route. The house that originally occupied the lot was gutted in a house fire two years ago and has since been torn down.
Design Concept
Harmony House is a single family home but reflecting the housing and work requirements of its owners it will also contain an in-law apartment in the basement and an office for a complimentary medicine practice on the main floor.
Locating the office within the home will reduce transportation energy consumption of the household. At this time it is anticipated that an electric car will be used, its power will be provided by the photovoltaic (solar electric) system to be installed on the home’s roof.
Main floor plan
The home is spatially open to allow for free circulation of air and distribution of daylight. To maximize daylight penetration the home uses taller than normal windows and glazed doors as well as clerestory windows above the living room and series of north facing skylights. Interior wall and ceiling surfaces will be painted light colours to enhance internal light reflection. Harmony House will demonstrate that it is possible to build a highly energy efficient building envelope while at the same time maximizing daylight penetration and views. The home incorporates an unheated solarium on the south east corner of the main floor. The glass used in the French doors and windows of the solarium will have high light transmission characteristics to allow for the health benefits that can be derived from exposure to sunlight.
Second floor plan
The second floor contains two smaller bedrooms, a small bathroom and a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and walk in closet. The master bedroom opens onto a south facing deck with a view to south of water, islands and mountains. High efficiency skylights are used to illuminate both bathrooms and the walk in closet.
Basement floor plan
The basement is partially above ground and has a 2.4m (8’) height ceiling and generously sized rooms as well as large windows to provide a spacious feeling. The apartment is self contained with a master bedroom, den, handicap accessible bathroom, laundry room, living room, dining area and kitchen. Storage is provided under the stairs and in 1.2m (4’) high crawlspaces. The basement apartment is accessed by way of a small sunken patio on the east side. Glass doors and windows looking out on the patio provide east light to the main living area of the apartment.
Energy Features
The building envelope will be super insulated and airtight as well as incorporating triple glazed fibreglass frame windows to minimize space heating loads. High efficiency heat recovery ventilation with dedicated supply and exhaust ductwork will be used to minimize ventilation energy losses and to help ensure high indoor air quality and thermal comfort. About 25% of the space heating will be provided by passive solar gain through windows distributed on the south façade of the home. The remaining heating requirements will be met by a high efficiency air source heat pump using central forced air distribution ductwork that will also aid in redistribution of the solar heat gains around the home. Windows are sized and oriented and overhangs sized and placed to minimize overheating in the summer, late spring and early fall. Windows are also located, sized and oriented to provide daylight penetration and in concert with lighting controls to minimize electrical consumption. Cooling as required will be supplied through a combination of wind and stack driven air flow cooling. This method has proven to be highly effective in south-western British Columbia due to diurnal temperature swings in the summer and negate the need for mechanical cooling. An active solar domestic water heating system will be the primary water heater. A high efficiency air source heat pump will supply the auxiliary domestic water heating requirements.
Electrical power demand will be minimized by use of high efficiency appliances, electrical devices, lighting fixtures and lamps as well as various monitoring and control strategies implemented by a Home Energy Management System (HEMS). All appliances will meet or surpassing Energy Star © standards.
All electrical energy consumption for the home and one electric vehicle will be provided through a grid connected photovoltaic array of approximately 98 m2 (1055 ft2) that will produce an estimated 15,736 kWh on an annual basis.
The home will be resource efficient through the use of advanced framing techniques; engineered wood products, reclaimed materials and the use of products manufactured from renewable resources and recycled materials. A healthy indoor environment will be provided through the use of low chemical off gassing interior finishes, filtration of incoming and recirculated air and a distributed mechanical ventilation system.
Water conserving plumbing fixtures, dishwashers and clothes washers will be used to minimize water consumption. The homes landscaping will utilize local drought resistant plants and water management techniques to minimize water required for irrigation.