Off Grid Urban Oasis
Completed April 2022
1B Term

In a world where the construction and operation of buildings makes up almost half of the world’s CO2 emissions, a radical change is greatly needed.

“Galt Off Grid” is a space located in Cambridge, Ontario for two unrelated persons to cohabitate that uses both active and passive systems to heat and power the home.

Replacing an abandoned building on the site, the timber frame along with other materials are reused in situ. This avoids going through the production process, in turn preserving local forests, and sequestering carbon over time. Structural Insulated Panels enclose the timber frame, eliminating any possibility of thermal bridges and creating an airtight, uninterrupted envelope. SIPS perform with high R-values in cold weather, unlike batt insulation, whose R-Value goes down along with temperature.

This project opened my eyes to the future of architecture and how we can be more proactive in designing for the environment.