Teachers’ Union Offices
Passive House performance with natural building
2014 Sustainable Building & Design project
The Trillium-Lakelands Elementary Teachers’ Union wanted a new office and meeting hall that reflected the high environmental standards they teach to their students. We used the Passive House standard to set our energy efficiency goals and a host of natural building techniques to achieve them. The result is a net-positive building that generates more energy than it consumes and is a healthy, carbon-storing and inspirational building in the heart of Lindsay, Ontario featuring a unique, circular meeting room.
Straw-cell (hybrid straw bale and cellulose) wall system achieves R-55 performance
Energy efficient building enclosure is airtight and avoids thermal bridges
Earthen plaster wall finish on interior from site harvested soil
Unique, low-energy heating system uses only 4,500 W of energy
Natural, non-toxic finishes used exclusively throughout the interior
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