High-Performance Homes from Griffith Homes
We have become passionate advocates for building superior homes that utilize the newest building science materials and applications in delivering optimal comfort and health benefits. Our fantastic clients came to GH with a desire to build a Passive and sustainable home that was going to allow not only themselves but future generations to enjoy sustainable living.
This house has been designed, tested and constructed following the Passive House principles and is targeting certification as a PHI Low-Energy building.
High performance features of this house include:
- There is 8″ of mineral fiber insulation for a total of 14” wall thickness, 6″ of EPS under the floor and an average of 8″ of polyisocyanurate insulation on the roof.
- The house achieved an overall airtightness of 0.21 ACH (air changes per hour), well below the certification limit of 0.6 ACH
- Windows are triple-glazed, high-performance glazed units in PHI certified fiberglass frames.
- A PHI Certified HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) provides fresh, filtered air to all the rooms at a comfortable temperature.
- Heating, cooling and hot-water are supplied with two small air-source heat pumps and three electric radiant panels in the bathrooms.
Shading and Orientation:
As illustrated in this photo, the house is protected by large Douglas Fir trees which provide shading during high noon in the summer, using passive measures to keep the house cool and comfortable.
Stairs:
It took immense collaboration between our GH Team, the Engineers, the steel fabricator, the railing specialist and the homeowner who fabricated the white oak treads himself. The end result are these show stopping stairs.
Mechanicals:
Careful consideration must be made in the mechanical systems utilized throughout the house to include the lungs of the house, the Zehnder Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system. Installed by our GH Crew, this systems is designed for “plug and play” after it has been tested and successfully commissioned.
Insulation:
With 8 inches of exterior insulation, significant effort and time went into to layering and staggering insulation as it was applied. Special 280 mm stainless steel screws were required with precise drilling to ensure screws hit the studs.
Project Credits:
Architect: Mark Ashby, Fold Architecture Inc.
Builder: Griffith Homes
Interior Designer: LH Interiors
Millwork: Harbour Kitchens and Millwork
Photography: LSPMedia