“Vincent designed a building that looks great, performs to the highest level, and met the demanding requirements.” - David Claus, P.Eng., D.Phil, Director of Facilities Managenment and Capital Projects, University of Northern British Columbia
The Little Passive House that Could Maintain Ultra Low Energy Demand in Cold Climate and a Devestating Heat Dome
Valemount, BC
Faced with an extremely low budget, the design strategy of Valemount Passivhus (Swedish spelling) maximizes structrual efficiency with only exterior walls bearing load on perimeter grade beams and supporting a clear span pitched roof of I-joist rafters on a ridge beam allowing flexibility of interior partitions and a grand cathedral ceiling. Exterior walls and roof were prefabricated and shipped to the site and framed within two days. The pure rectangular plan and minimalist gable form streamlines Passive House PHPP energy modeling and simplifies application of the air barrier while also making reference to early Scandinavian vernacular barn houses. Local cedar siding was torched on site to achieve a charred surface resistant to weather, UV and termites while also providing some resistance to wildfires. Valemount Passivhus was designed in collaboration with Erik Olofsson, Constructiuon Manager.
Photo credits: Andru McCracken, Owner; Erik Olofsson, Construction Manager; Collective Carpentry
West façade with Mount Thompson in background.
View of site from street with Mount McKirdy in background.
Cathedral ceiling over living room and mezzanine.
Double height ceiling over family room mezzanine and living room below.
A Mid-Century Modern Inspired House in a Victorian Suburb
New Westminster, BC
This Bauhaus inspired home, with monolithic white surfaces against dark voids of glass transparency, was designed for a family with two aspiring daughters excelling in their school studies, piano and swimming training. Advanced analysis of zoning and coordination with city planners allowed a 16’ high cathedral ceiling and window wall with sweeping vistas of the Fraser River and Mt. Baker in Washington State. The roof assembly features a dropped ceiling to minimize penetrations through the air barrier with a perimeter light alcove that also conceals an automated blind system. The overhangs have a slim profile and are an extension of the ventilation sleepers. The daughters’ bedrooms are each built with deep bay window seating and ceiling high windows capturing westerly sunlight.
Photo credits: Interior photos by Derek Wong, Owner. Exterior photos by Vincent Siu.
Front façade window wall facing eastward views.
View of site from street looking southwest.
Living / family room with view of Fraser River and Mount Baker.
Lower living and piano room.
East façade and front yard.
West façade and back yard.
A Passive House Certified & Mass Timber Office Building for “Canada’s Green University”
Prince George, BC
UNBC-FMB is the new operations office of UNBC Facilities Management achieving all Passivhaus Institut criteria for Passive House Certification in a cold climate zone. The project was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic on a fast-track schedule from design to substantial performance in only 9 months. Other sustainable solutions include wood dominant construction and a mass timber structure featuring clear span members such as CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels and glue-laminated beams that achieved the required cantilever of the upper floor without the use of steel or concrete. The project was delivered as a design-build consortium with Vincent Siu as architect, design lead and coordinating registered professional, and Erik Olofsson and Chris Brown as construction managers.
Photo credits: Vincent Siu
West Façade
Window and exterior wall details.
Level 1 Interior with exposed CLT ceiling and exposed edges at stair opening.
South façade and view of campus eastward to city below.
UNBC-FMB at night.
View of site looking west with FMB addition to the power plant.
South façade with 4 large windows convertable to door openings for future addition.
