Maple Mountain Passive House

A project by Somenos Construction

Project Overview

Nestled into the slopes of Maple Mountain in the Cowichan Valley, the Maple Bay Passive House is a striking example of high-performance residential design and build. Designed by Ecocentric Design under lead designer Hajo Meijer, and constructed by Somenos Construction, this 4-bedroom home (with an in-law suite and detached carport) proves that comfort, sustainability and style can go hand-in-hand.

Performance & Sustainability

With the aim of meeting the rigorous standards of the Passive House Canada program, this home incorporates a 12 kW photovoltaic solar array and a heat-pump hot-water system. The heavily wooded site, surrounded by mature evergreens, posed a challenge for solar access — so the design responded with an exceptionally well-insulated and airtight envelope rather than relying solely on solar gain.

Location

Duncan, BC

Completed

2019

Certification

Passive House Classic

Climate Zone

Cool-Temperate

Gross Floor Area

5764 sqft

Treated Floor Area

3358 sqft

Materials & Landscape

True to its passive-house ethos, the project emphasizes natural, carbon-sequestering materials: wood structure, rockwool and cellulose insulation, and steel/wood cladding under a metal roof. Rain-water harvesting is built into the landscape strategy, providing irrigation for gardens and reducing reliance on municipal supply.

Building Envelope & Systems

Heating/Cooling & DHW: In-floor hydronic loop for heating/cooling, paired with a Sanden heat-pump for domestic hot water.
Walls: Drywall, 2×4 stud service cavity, plywood sheathing, TJI110 with dense-pack cellulose, Rockwool comfort board, achieving U-value ≈ 0.095 W/m²K.
Basement Floor/Slab: Concrete slab over Heat-Sheet EPS and Terrafoam Platinum GPS Type 2, U-value ≈ 0.113 W/m²K.
Roof: T&G tongue-and-groove decking, 2×6 stud cavity air space, parallel cord trusses filled with dense-pack cellulose, plywood sheathing, U-value ≈ 0.086 W/m²K.
Windows: Supplied by Cascadia Windows & Doors, Universal Series PH — high-performance glazing and frames.
Ventilation: A recovery system (Zehnder Q450) with 88% efficiency ensures fresh air and minimal heat loss.

Why It Matters

This project is a standout for several reasons:

It demonstrates that even on a challenging, tree-covered site in a cool-temperate climate, exceptional energy performance is achievable through smart envelope design and renewable systems.
It shows the value of an integrated design-build process — from concept through certification — with clear collaboration between designer and builder.
It proves that Somenos Construction is a leader in high-performance residential construction, capable of meeting rigorous passive-house standards while delivering homes that are livable, beautiful, and future-proof.