Concept and design

Ecohome's Edelweiss House shows that with thoughtful design, high performance home construction is attainable and affordable, without great sacrifices in space or quality of life. The guiding principles during the design of Ecohome’s Edelweiss House demonstration home - passive heating and cooling, healthy living…

Curious about building a backyard suite? Discover how Ottawa's new Zoning By-law 2026-50 impacts coach house footprint limits, setbacks, utility rules, and the advantages of choosing prefab. Are coach houses allowed in Ottawa? Rules & 2026 zoning changes explained Building a secondary dwelling unit in the City of…

Discover how silent architecture uses bio-based materials like cork and wool to reduce cortisol levels and create a restorative, high-performance longevity home. Silent architecture: designing for peace calm Let's face it folks, we live in very busy and noisy times, and the pace of modern life is impacting the…

Learn why prioritizing the building envelope over mechanical systems is the key to energy efficiency, lower costs, and long-term home resiliency. Envelope first: future-proofing and resiliency The term 'envelope first' is a very simple design concept that leads to homes that excel in the area of energy efficiency…

Applying the KISS philosophy of 'Keep It Super Simple" is what will help you build the best home you can on a budget. Find out which design features are the most complicated, expensive and risky for durability. The most cost-effective home design is the most basic one. Building a home that suits your lifestyle and…

Intelligent home devices allow you to control your home remotely, and send you notices of problems. Smart homes take advantage of smart phone technologies to provide you with automated control of your homes systems such as heating and lighting. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the key aspects of this…

The essential building science principle for placing insulation and vapor control layers to prevent condensation and moisture damage in high-performance walls. What is the two thirds rule? How insulation and wall assemblies work best In the world of durable, high-performance green building, few concepts are as…

The B.C. government has given the green light for tiny homes on wheels, but one crucial distinction will determine if your dream home is a legal dwelling or just an RV. B.C. paves the way for Tiny Homes on Wheels - here's what you need to know: In a landmark move for the sustainable housing movement, the British…

A comprehensive overview of external and internal shading strategies for optimizing passive solar design and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. Homes designed for passive heating and cooling offer noticeably lower utility bills, not to mention increased comfort and security during power outages…

Find the perfect space-saving staircase for your home renovation, from spiral stairs to clever folding designs, and learn what's legal under building code. Staircase options for new homes and  renovations: a homeowner's and pro's guide Renovating a home to add living or storage space can sometimes require…

As heat waves increase in frequency and duration, the health risks and energy consumption for cooling buildings is exacerbated. Find out design features to keep homes cool without AC. Urban heat island effect and how to mitigate it Have you ever noticed how much hotter it feels in the city on a sweltering summer day…