The Fort St. John 50-unit Passive House apartment project originated from a partnership between BC Housing, British Columbia’s Housing Management Commission, and BC Hydro, to develop a highly energy-efficient affordable rental housing building in Fort St. John, British Columbia. The project is intended to initially provide housing for the Site C Dam workforce, later reverting to affordable housing for the community.

WCPG Construction Ltd. responded to this Design-Build RFP by assembling a team experienced with passivhaus and affordable housing projects. Low Hammond Rowe Architects was the lead designer and coordinating professional. The project was supported by a full team of engineers, landscape architects, energy specialists, and passive house design consultants. WCPG Construction managed the design process, construction, and delivery of this unique project, designed to meet the International Passive Haus Standard and achieve certification, the largest Passive House building of its kind in Canada at time of construction. To achieve this standard, the building must only use 15 kWh/m2 of energy per year for heating and cooling, or a peak heat load of 10 W/m2, based on local climate data.

This six-storey wood frame building consists of two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites, common interior and exterior amenity spaces, bicycle storage, outdoor playground, and landscaped rain gardens; all serving families living and working in Fort St. John.

Awards
2022 SABMag Canadian Green Building – Residential (Large) Award
2021 International Passive House – Special SIGA Award