Join us for an in-depth exploration of Vienna House, an ultra-low-carbon multi-family housing project in Vancouver. This session will focus on the strategies used to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, providing valuable insights into the creation of highly energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts of embodied carbon, how it differs from operational carbon, and its significant role in the overall carbon footprint of buildings. Additionally, the session will cover how to evaluate and select materials that contribute to a low whole-life carbon story, balancing upfront embodied carbon with long-term operational emissions for more sustainable building practices.

Vienna House serves as a case study of a low-carbon residential project, highlighting the application of whole-life cycle thinking and future-proofing through climate-resilient strategies. As an international research project, it showcases successful applications of low-carbon methods in multi-family housing, aimed at achieving Passive House certification and meeting the highest tier of the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Standard. This project demonstrates how sustainable, energy-efficient housing can be achieved through collaboration and a commitment to stringent sustainability targets, offering valuable lessons for architects, engineers, and sustainability professionals.

The session will feature three project team members who bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Jamie Harte, the Project Architect on Vienna House, is a Certified Passive House Designer with deep experience in low-carbon, energy-efficient design. Jeremy Field, an energy modeller and building life cycle assessment expert, will share insights into identifying cost-effective embodied carbon reduction strategies. Stuart Hood, a leader in building engineering with over thirty years of global experience, will discuss how cutting-edge sustainability trends are applied to North American projects. Together, they will provide a comprehensive look at the complexities of ultra-low-carbon building design and its application in real-world projects like Vienna House.

This free presentation will take place on Wednesday, December 11th at 9am PT / 12pm ET and will be followed by a lively Q+A session. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and engage with the PHA community. See you there!