The Cottonwood Passive House is located on a pie-shaped corner lot in a new subdivision of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The area is currently the “edge of town,” so the site enjoys views toward the North Saskatchewan river valley to the southwest. The ground slopes down significantly from the front yard to the rear yard, allowing for a walkout basement.

The owners wanted a house that could function solely on one level, which meant including amenities such as main-floor laundry and an elevated rear deck. Electrical and plumbing service will be roughed-in in the basement should future owners wish to relocate the laundry, or to upgrade the basement allowing it to function as a standalone guest suite.

The main floor is roughly organized along a north-south circulation axis — from the main entry, through a hall into the kitchen/living area, and out to the rear covered deck. The house footprint is kept as compact as possible to minimize total envelope area (and thus minimize) heat loss. Primary living spaces – bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen – are oriented toward the south with generous glazed openings to capitalize on passive solar gains.

Visit the project website: cottonwoodpassivehouse.ca