Biggest Passive multi-family starts

February 26, 2018

Spire Developments is building the largest Passive House multi-family development in Canada.
The 95-unit, six-storey complex is being built as rental apartment units under a City of Vancouver program that provides incentives to rental builders.
“The Passive House concept originated in Europe, and we are extremely excited to bring this technology to Vancouver,” said Spire spokesman Lawrence Green.
Passive House construction includes thick walls packed with insulation, rigorous design guidelines, and a heat recovery ventilation system that allows for cleaner interior air quality than existing buildings and new construction, he said. It also requires an airtight building envelope and high-performance windows and doors.
Vancouver’s Cornerstone Architecture designed the Spire project.
Pete Rackow, co-founder of Spire Developments, said, “The cost of Passive House construction is more expensive than constructing a traditional building, however, the final product is much superior in terms of air quality, noise reduction, and carbon footprint.”