Eco Abode: A Net Zero Niagara-on-the-Lake Home

Story: Jessie Reid | Photography: Kelly Horkoff

The homeowners’ intentions for this impressive piece of modern architecture in Niagara-on-the-Lake went beyond aesthetics. They had an ambitious goal to create a net-zero home that would be a healthy and accessible space for them to enjoy well into their twilight years. 

After much research into eco-friendly building methods and sustainable design solutions, the couple found Ottawa architect Linda Chapman, who’s known for her eco-smart architecture, to design their dream home. The next hurdle was finding a Niagara builder willing to take on the task.

“Both my husband and I wanted to have a smaller footprint and have a really efficient and healthy home,” the homeowner explains. “What we are trying to achieve is a net-zero home, meaning we hope to create as much energy as we use. It was difficult to find a builder to do this. Either they felt they didn’t have the capacity or they weren’t interested in doing such a detailed build.”

Aaron Hahn of Hahn Builders was willing and excited to take on this new challenge, even after receiving 43 pages of detailed blueprints from the architect, as opposed to the usual four-to-five pages for a residential build. 

“What we really appreciated with Aaron was his youthful energy,” the homeowner says. “He doesn’t get stuck in a certain way of doing things. We never heard him say, ‘No, you can’t do it that way.’ Aaron always looks for a solution.”                                                                

Before beginning construction, Aaron worked with Linda to come up with an alternative wall system that provided a similar R value with less cost than the original double-wall design.

As Aaron explains it, the R value, or resistance value,  measures how fast heat transfers through something. The higher the value the longer it takes for heat to transfer, so a greater R value contributes significantly to making a home more efficient for heating and cooling. It also makes the home more comfortable by eliminating cold zones.

“There are many accommodations that have to be made for the insulation and sealing of the home in the design,” Aaron says. “It’s not just pink fluffy batts.”

The house is also built using advanced framing methods, which use less lumber in the walls because wood has a low R value. That provides more room for insulation, which contributes to the higher R value.

Beyond the energy efficiency of this home, it’s an eye-pleasing piece of modern architecture with an interior design elevated by the homeowners’ lovingly curated collection of mid-century modern furniture. 

The colour palette isn’t the usual stark white seen in many modern interiors. It’s warm and muted with a combination of tan and grey. Colours include Benjamin Moore’s Barren Plain on walls, Stone Harbour on doors, and Lenox Tan and Dolphin on the kitchen cabinets. Painting was completed by Garden City Interiors. 

A spacious open-concept kitchen with an ample island speaks to the homeowners’ love of cooking. Cabinets were made and installed using low VOC materials by Milestone Millwork. The countertops in Caesarstone Buttermilk, purchased through Milestone Millwork pair perfectly with the colour scheme. Top-of-the-line appliances were purchased from Nickerson Appliances to last a lifetime and installed by Strictly Installs. All plumbing here and throughout the home was by J&R Plumbing.

A subtle element given big emphasis was reducing the carbon footprint of the home. The quarter-sawn white oak engineered hardwood floors with a custom oil finish were sustainably harvested from North American forests. They are also manufactured entirely in Canada by Log’s End in Ottawa, and were installed by Pro Hardwood Flooring Niagara.

An eye-catching ceiling and large faux exposed beam of antique reclaimed timber sits in contrast to the sleek minimalism of the space, adding character and warmth. All of the reclaimed timber, used for the mudroom bench, the great room ceiling, faux beam, kitchen and bar shelves, and stair treads was sourced from The Timeless Material Co. 

 A motorized Velux skylight illuminates the open stairwell with a modern glass banister and oak staircase by Enzokhan. When opened, it immediately evacuates warm air and cools the home. 

There were minimal plastic products used during the build. Outside, long-lasting corrugated metal siding in charcoal grey and Urban Accent in light walnut from Ideal Roofing was installed by Permanent Siding & Windows.

The wall windows and sliding doors in the great room that frame a leafy ravine and low-maintenance landscaping by Tree Amigos behind the home are triple-glazed inline fibreglass. In addition, the home is furnished with pieces made of natural materials, including a pure wool area rug from Aristocrat Floors of the World.

A generous number of storage cabinets, made with low VOC materials and installed by Milestone Millwork in the mudroom and laundry makes it easy to keep the minimalist open-plan style of the home uncluttered.

A forever home in the truest sense, this home has been designed so the homeowners can age in place. The master bedroom is on the main level, which means there’s nothing they’ll need on the upper level as they grow older and stairs may become a physical challenge. The intention to stay in the home long-term was another reason for using only low-maintenance and long-lasting materials in the build. 

“The idea is once we can’t get upstairs we can live solely on the main floor,” the homeowner explains. 

The upper level features a guest room, bathroom, media room/office and a roof deck with furniture by DOT Furniture.

Back on the main level, the master bedroom is sophisticated and in keeping with the modern style of the home. A walkthrough wardrobe by Leanne Mosquite Design, is hidden behind a floating wall. The Canadian-manufactured bed and corner table are from The Furniture Gallery and window coverings are made by Karen Main of Main and Company Interiors.

A spa-like en suite features a heated towel rack and floors, with ceramic tiles by Ciot and recycled-glass penny tile from Saltillo Tile & Stone and installed by Modern Interiors.

Ultimately, this home epitomizes the people living in it, the architect who designed it and the man who built it.

“I was able to practise what I preach with this build,” Aaron says. “I have always been interested in this type of energy-efficient construction and design, but most consumers aren’t interested in the intangible features of energy efficiency, so I was excited to build a home like this. This home is really at the forefront of eco design, and built with love.”