Construction is underway on the first Net Zero multi-unit residential building in the province. The project will see 12 Net Zero units included in a townhouse development in Willowgrove. This is one of only seven projects included in an initiative that will provide direction to the building code of Canada.
Alex Miller, CEO of Big Block Construction says the idea behind Net Zero is to design and a build a home that will create as much energy as it consumes.
Miller says there are a couple of ways to do that, either by reducing the amount of energy consumption, with things like energy efficient windows, or by increasing the amount of renewable energy the building produces, with things like solar panels. Miller explains the project was tasked with three main goals including being affordable, scalable and Net Zero.
Six of the 12 units will be designated as affordable homes for people with intellectual disabilities, in a partnership between the National Affordable Housing Corporation and Innovative Residential. Big Block Construction is the first of the seven projects to begin construction, Miller expects the first possession will take place in October, with the full project completed by December or January.
