The Net Zero Typology
THE CORNER HOUSE - RYERSON DAS HOUSE TEAM - 2015

The Net Zero Typology

In 2015 our team from Ryerson University entered the US Department of Energy Race to Zero design competition. Instead of designing a single-family detached home on a generous lot (which is the typical approach), we challenged ourselves to design a net-zero multi-unit building in an urban environment. This choice created unique design challenges that took our project beyond the standard net-zero home. The project won an analysis award at the competition and was selected as a finalist in the Scotiabank Eco-Living Awards.

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Titled the Corner House, the project was imagined as an archetypal home that could be located on hundreds of lots throughout downtown Toronto. What makes the design unique is how the building interacts differently with the two street frontages by providing an opportunity to have a commercial unit at grade where appropriate. In many instances throughout the city, corner lots address one street or the other but often fail to address both scenarios. A flexible archetype allows each site to look and function differently. Below are some of the many lots this type of structure would suit, contributing to the "missing middle" with a compact duplex and triplex design.

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The project was designed to address the obvious issues of energy and resource efficiency but also provide a sustainable housing option within the city. The building takes advantage of under-utilized corner lots by creating a single ground-oriented unit at grade and pushing two residential units above. The at-grade unit could be used for an in-law suite, cafe, or small office making the building versatile for many scenarios and contexts.


“The sustainable strategy will incorporate low impact materials, renewable energy generation, high performance envelope, flexible energy efficient mechanical systems, passive solar design, maximized daylighting, and passive ventilation.


The project includes several key strategies to maximize energy performance.

1. A high-performance envelope using a wood truss wall construction.

2. Maximized south-facing sloped roof for solar generation

3. Majority south-facing glazing to maximize solar heat gain in winter and daylighting

4. A centralized service core for efficient distribution and zoned heating and cooling

5. An integrated mechanical system with enhanced natural ventilation

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ARCHITECTURAL STRATEGIES

The architectural concept revolves around the celebration of the north-facing service core which defines the unique roof form and allows the building to increase in depth depending on the size of the lot. The building is clad in beetle kill ash, white stucco, and a metal standing seam roof which offers a durable and mostly reclaimed facade. The wood structure and mineral wool insulation allow the building to be low in embodied carbon and the efficient electric mechanical system provides minimal operational carbon.

The high-performance envelope is composed of a double stud wall system with a 2x6 structural outer layer and an interior 2x3 layer. With the exception of the vapour retarder, all the membranes wrap the exterior sheathing making a seamless connection between the walls and roof. (A critical detail that is often overlooked). The roof is built of a wood truss layer with 2 layers of XPS insulation and a standing seam metal roof on crisscrossing z' girts to provide a ventilated assembly. The walls and roof are insulated with cellulose insulation as an inexpensive low-carbon method.

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The resulting design is a beautiful building that offers an energy-efficient solution for unique corner lots within the city. As housing continues to be an issue in our country we need to continue to investigate creative and innovative ways of providing sustainable housing at a reasonable cost. Our full report can be read on my ISSUU page and contains much more detail and analysis. Many people contributed to this project which is why it became such a great success.

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Adrian Turcato

Tech Lead- Applied AI @ Palantir

3 年

Blast from the past...

Steven Biersteker

Architect sharing insights about carbon + architecture.

3 年

Naama Blonder curious if you would consider this part of a missing middle solution?

Steven Biersteker

Architect sharing insights about carbon + architecture.

3 年

Check out the full report here! https://issuu.com/sbiersteker/docs/dashaus_full

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