A pilot project for modular and sustainable affordable housing
By Joe Scrocco
The Willowdale Street house in the County of Brant came about from a telephone call which Makers (https://makers.to/), a Toronto-based Producer collective, received from Habitat for Humanity asking for help with a campaign launch in the Brant Norfolk region. In response Makers went further by creating Project Upstart, a modular and sustainable affordable housing system in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, the County of Brant, The School of Architecture at Waterloo and architectural firm PH43, who specialize in Passive House design.
The Upstart house on Willowdale Street is a pilot project for the Habitat Heartland Ontario Brant-Norfolk Chapter; a chance to try a new building process and learn from the experience. It’s also the first time Habitat for Humanity has built to Passive House standards in Canada.
The home sits close to the Grand River and the Brantford Conservation Area on a 1,000-square metre lot. Its location in a residential neighbourhood, within walking distance to schools, parks, and a grocery store, helps a family become part of the community around them.
The design utilizes prefabricated components for much of the construction. This approach lowers the cost of materials and simplifies the building process for Habitat volunteers, who are mostly non-trades people.
The placement of the house on the Brant County lot was carefully considered to maximize the seasonal solar gain, and to use the sun strategically to heat and cool without the need of air conditioning. With an airtight and thermally efficient envelope, along with high-efficiency appliances, heating demand should be reduced by up to 75% for an energy bill of between $11 and $25/month.
Special thank you to:
Many skilled and knowledgeable volunteers and these companies:
- Better Bin Company for garbage disposal and recycling/repurposing
- Ark Electric
- Hunter Plumbing and Excavating
- East Elgin Concrete
- Simple Life Homes
- Jackson Roofing
- Turkstra Lumber
- Town & Country
- Fantech
- Moduloc Fencing
- Franke Kindred
- B.N.C. Crane Service
- CleanShot
- Home Depot
- AMA Drywall
- Ferrell Builders Supply
- Fraser Locksmith
- Grandbridge energy
- VerBeek kitchens
- VETTA Windows
Joe Scrocco is Director of Build Services, Habitat for Humanity Heartland and Brant Norfolk Chapter.
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