the passive narrowtive

Vancouver, BC

This showcase high-performance and innovative home is an ultra-sustainable, Certified Passive House that has become an important part of Vancouver Architecture.

On the main floor there is an open-plan kitchen/dining/flex space, and a south-facing living area with 12′ high ceilings. The split-level upper floor has 3 spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. On the lower-ground floor there is another living area and 2 bedrooms / bathrooms, one of which can either be part of the main house, or part of the secondary suite, which has a private entrance from a large light-well. The roof deck has spectacular views of the North-Shore Mountains.

To add further complication, the building is located on a narrow 25′ wide lot, requiring a clever space-efficient design with additional “fire spread” protection. Also, the site is located in a “Peat Bog” [soft soil] area requiring a highly engineered shoring, piling and structural system.

The development is part of the City of Vancouver / Passive House Canada’s Near Zero project.

For more information on the benefits of Passive House, visit http://www.passivehouse.ca/design-fundementals

2023 BSC Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design (NAHB):

  • Winner: Panelized Home

2022 National Awards for Housing Excellence (CHBA):

  • Winner:  Best Detached Custom Home

2022 Western Living Designers of the Year Award:

  • Finalist:  Arthur Erickson Memorial Award for an Emerging Architect

2022 HAVAN Awards for housing excellence:

  • Finalist:  Best Renovation

2022 SIPA Building Excellence Awards:

  • Winner:  High Performance House

2022 Georgie Awards:

  • Finalist:  Best Residential renovation

2022 BSC Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design (NAHB):

  • Winner:  Panelised Home

2021 Havan Awards for housing excellence:

  • Winner: Best Custom Home
  • Winner: Best High Performance Home
  • Winner: Excellence in Building Science Innovation
  • Winner: Best new kitchen

2021 Georgie Awards:

  • Finalist: Best Custom Home
  • Finalist: Best Environmental Initiative

Sheri Koones book: Prefabulous for Everyone [April 2023]

Montecristo: Modern Times [Winter 2021]

SAB Magazine: The Passive Narrowtive House [Fall 2021]

Vancouver Sun: East Van passive home proves ‘unbuildable lot’ perfect site for narrow build [May 2021]

Podcast:  “Passive Passion” |  Havan’s “Measure Twice Cut Once” Season 2 [April 2021]

N B A designed high-performance and innovative home is an ultra-sustainable, Certified Passive House that has become an important part of Vancouver Architecture.
Perspective photo inside the back yard patio of passive house 2 storey single family building. This rendering captured a cozy family evening in a new built energy efficient home built by N B A architects.
Inside a passive house living room with cozy electric fireplace and cozy interior, perfect for family life. N B A architects have fun creating beautiful spacious and full of sunlight living room space. 
Interior image from the hallway looking to living room, featuring large triple glaze living window that gives warm and light and creates cozy atmosphere for the family.
N B A architects designed the cozy seating inside the closet that is a nice interior design element and gives fun space for kids and adults to enjoy reading a book or hide from siblings.
Interior image from the dining overlooking kitchen, timeless design with wooden millwork and kitchen window to provide natural light.
Interior image from the kitchen to dining room featuring wood millwork and LED lighting system.
Interior image from the kitchen to dining room featuring wood millwork and LED lighting system.
Interior image looking to living room that has a view of the rare yard and the light creates cozy atmosphere for the family.
Interior image looking to dining room and kitchen, featuring the interior stairs.
Interior image of a bathroom. Wood millwork and artistic light blue walls.
Interior image of a bathroom with the shower with serene light blue tile walls.
Interior image of a bathroom with the bath and white tile walls.
Exterior roof patio with exterior furniture overlooking the neighbourhood and mountains.
Exterior front image of N B A architects designed high-performance and innovative home that is an ultra-sustainable, Certified Passive House that has become an important part of Vancouver Architecture.
interior image overlooking the kitchen from the hallway featuring wood millwork and kitchen island LED lighting fixture.
idyllic family image from the back yard of family playing and having a dinner. N B A architects designed the passive house with a detached garage building.
Perspective photo inside the back yard patio of passive house 2 storey single family building with a secondary basement suite. This rendering captured a cozy evening in a new built energy efficient home.
Interior image of a master bedroom featuring triple glazed window.
Interior image of a staircase featuring inbuilt shelving.
Interior image of walk-in closet looking from master bedroom.
Interior image of laundry room with black millwork.
Interior image of basement unit living room and kitchen with wooden millwork features.
Interior image of the connection of basement suite and exterior space.
Exterior image of N B A designed high-performance and innovative home that is an ultra-sustainable, Certified Passive House and has become an important part of Vancouver Architecture.

The Key Players:

© Nick Bray Architecture Ltd. 2017 - 2024. All Rights Reserved.