Edmonton House: An Experiment in Sustainable Design & Construction to Achieve NetZero Energy

In partnership with the international architecture and engineering firm Stantec, Lafarge North America is donating an innovative residential duplex constructed of precast concrete - with a goal of net zero energy use - to the Habitat for Humanity community of Riverdale in Edmonton, Alberta. The purpose of the project is to design and build the ultimate energy efficient housing solution that can serve as a model for future sustainable housing development.

This first-of-its-kind project in Canada will provide affordable housing for two families - and a real-world learning opportunity for Lafarge, an industry leader in innovations for sustainable construction and environmental stewardship.

Engineering Design
Lafarge and Stantec approached the project with the goal of designing a home that could achieve net zero energy use, as well as Platinum-level LEED certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Lafarge's precast concrete was selected as the primary building material for an air-tight and energy-efficient building envelope.

The precast panels were fabricated at Lafarge's nearby facility in Edmonton, and then transported to the construction site for assembly, which is expected to take just two days' time. Lafarge ready mix concrete will be used to pour the duplex's foundation, and to provide 2-inch layer of topping over the precast hollow core slabs.

The home's exterior insulated precast panels will provide an insulation rating of R44 for the walls and R88 for the roof. As a point of comparison, most homes are R16-20, so the precast concrete envelope will provide three times the insulation of a typical home.

Concrete also makes the home safer in the event of fire, increases sound resistance, and reduces the amount of on-site construction waste. The duplex will also feature a geothermal heating and hot water system, and photovoltaic (pv) rooftop panels to generate solar electricity.

Research

Following construction of the home's exterior concrete walls, the interior space will be finished using other sustainable materials, including Lafarge gypsum wallboard. Two families chosen by Habitat for Humanity are expected to move into the duplex in early 2013.

The energy performance of this unique duplex, with its two resident families, will be monitored over a period of three years, and compared by unit, as well as against similar wood frame structures in Edmonton, to determine the benefits of sustainable precast concrete construction for future communities. The Edmonton House project is a stepping stone for Lafarge, as we look ahead to other sustainable precast concrete building solutions. 

Project Timeline & Expectations

• January 2013:  Two families take up residence