Fire, Water, Air, Earth: Aesthetic of the Thomas House Project

The Thomas House Project is Central Alberta’s first Net Zero, “damn near” Passive House. The high performance home, completed June 2018, was constructed as a demonstration home to showcase opportunities in construction design, material use, technology and innovation. Designed, constructed and managed by Sol Invictus Energy Services Ltd, along with various contractors located within Central Alberta, the project is intended to show Central Albertans the opportunities related to home energy efficiency, solar photovoltaics and Passive House design. It was constructed with the intention that the residents will reside in the home for decades, so long-term energy savings were a primary concern. Additionally, the occupants valued comfort and sustainability, which were achieved through design and construction of a well insulated, air-tight building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems and appliances, and thoughtful material selection. The home uses 34% of the energy it would have used if constructed conventionally.

This blog post isn’t within the normal theme of home energy that you have seen posted before. However, the immeasurable energy and feelings evoked through design and aesthetic were equally important aspect when planning this project.

The “Thomas House Project” is Central Alberta’s first “damn near” passive solar, net zero house. It generates as much energy as it consumes through on-site solar photovoltaics.

The energy conservation and generation in the Thomas House Project isn’t just the only factor considered in the design process. It was important for the homeowners to be able to feel a sense of peace when residing in the home, which is situated at the top of the Blindman River valley, overlooking miles of natural landscape with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. 

A modern, minimalist, Scandinavian inspired home.

In order to evoke this sense of peace, the home interior design and flow reflects the four elements; fire, water, air and earth. Plato wrote about these elements in Timaeus c. 360 B.C, associating them with a geometric solid; the cube as earth, the octahedron as air, the icosahedron as water, and the tetrahedron as fire. Plato supposed that all matter was formed through various combinations of these shapes. Incorporating geometrics into different aspects of the home’s interior design compliments the elemental theme described below. 

The home décor and interior finishings were selected to reflect minimalist Scandinavian interior design. Its canvas of light and bright space is balanced with natural patterns and materials of wood and stone. Geometric shapes are used throughout the home, such as in bathroom backsplashes and lighting. Numerous houseplants throughout the interior of the home reflect its wild exterior surroundings. 

The front steps are constructed with locally sourced rocks.

The fire element is probably the most apparent in the home design in four aspects. First, the house is 100% powered by solar energy and therefore, reliant on the closest fire generating celestial object to earth for electricity and heat. Panels on the roof and the ground allow for power to be produced and consumed during any point in the day, even if the grid is down. An additional solar system powers the water pump. 

The second fire feature is the European-style wood stove located in the main floor living area. During the winter, heat is supplemented by burning wood collected on the land surrounding the home. 

The home is partially heated with a Euro-style wood burning stove.

The roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system provides energy for heat and electricity. South-facing windows provide passive solar heat gains in order to offset wintertime heating needs.

The home’s lighting is 100% LED.

The last fire element is by way of the large, clean, clear, high performance windows throughout the home. They allow both natural light to flow and maximize passive solar heat gains, reducing the need to heat the home as much in the winter time. Interior doors in specific locations inside the home that have no access to natural light have frosted glazing in order to allow for light, reducing the need to turn on lights, saving energy. 

Lights throughout the property are all LED in order to reduce energy consumption, with some outdoor lights being solar powered as well. Lighting was a very important aspect of this home in making it feel larger and more spacious. Pot lighting was used throughout the home’s main living spaces, which provided abundant light when needed, and paired with dimmer switches for a more relaxed feel. Certain areas of the home are fitted with motion nightlights, both indoors and outdoors. Phillips Hue lights are installed in the kitchen island pendant lights, as well as the stairway, in order to provide a fun atmosphere, dependent on events, holidays or activities. Phillips Hue lights can be adjusted for warmth (as can be the undermount cabinet lighting), and controlled via an app on a handheld device. 

Geometric shapes, natural wood and greenery in the half-bath.

The element of water is clearly revealed when viewing the spectacular view of the Blindman River to the south. Situated in a natural bowl, winter run-off is directed past the house on either side. In the spring, the runoff fills a nearby low-lying area to the west, allowing for the future camp-site and fire-pit to be surrounded by the largest and most lush trees in the area. Water run off on the east of the house will be managed by way of a future creek bed lined with river rocks, directing the flow down the hill. Further east, the winter-runoff creates a short-lived creek, which can be heard rumbling during the spring. 

Water flows from the water well on the north, down through to the home and purified through a reverse osmosis system. Rainwater is captured in order to be used for the on-site vegetable garden, still under construction. Lastly, a double rainfall shower in the master en suite provides the residents with a spa-like experience when relaxation is needed.         

The watery theme is also reflected in clear, glassy ice-blue backsplashes in the kitchen, and similar coloured paint, chosen for smaller rooms such as bathrooms. 

Concrete and wood accents in the master en suite featuring a double rain-fall shower.

The front entrance faces the surrounding forest. The kitchen window provides the occupants with opportunities to bird watch.

Large windows in each of the bedrooms are multi-purpose. They provide light, heat, ventilation and provide a stunning view of the countryside.

The outdoor living space expands the usable floor area into the outdoors..

An open and airy floorplan on the main floor with south-facing views exposed by oversized windows provide the residents with a sense of space and openness. Walls painted the lightest of greys and ceilings at 9’ throughout, the feeling extends into the bedrooms as oversized windows welcome the morning sun and provide a spacious view of the starry nighttime sky in the evening. The north facing walkout basement further allow for this open feel, which is important because the footprint of the house is not large (1200 sq. ft) in order to ensure low energy consumption and heat load.   

The theme of air is continued with the high-efficiency heat recovery ventilation system, which allows for fresh, purified air to travel through the home, and stale, humid air to be exhausted. Natural airflow is created by way of the “tilt-and-turn” Euro-style windows, allowing the window to open both horizontally, and vertically. When a basement window is opened with an upstairs window, natural ventilation occurs due to “stacking effect”, which brings the cooler basement air upstairs to assist in air circulation and natural, free cooling in the summer months. 

Bringing the greenery indoors, we have a constant supply of oxygenated, clean air

The rear patio is sheltered in the summer from the sun with removable sunshades, ensuring wintertime sun penetrates the windows when it’s needed most.

Earth is the last element that is observed throughout the home’s interior, with wood and wood patterns surrounding the windows, cabinetry, flooring and furniture. As contrast, stone is used in various rooms in order to offset the warmth of the wood. The cabinets, and feature lighting in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as backsplashes are concrete, or mimic the appearance of concrete. A concrete sink is the feature of the main-floor bathroom. Backsplashes in the downstairs bath, half-bath, and en suite are made of stone-tile in a variety of simple shapes and textures. Concrete geometric lighting fixtures are located in the two upstairs bathrooms.

It was important to bring as much of the outside into the home as possible, so the home will be filled with various plants, which will utilize the south-side sunlight for year-round growing. In the summer, the rear patio was transformed into a second living room.

The exterior of the home is finished with Lux aluminum panels as accents that mimic wood patterns. A large stone stairway using local boulders was constructed to emphasize the naturalness of the area and reducing the need for additional concrete. 

An on-sight vegetable garden will be constructed on the south-side as well to provide fresh produce to the homeowners. Fruit trees are planted and will be added over the next few years. Vermiculture and composting systems will be used for organic waste disposal and used for gardening purposes. Lastly, landscaping will utilize xeriscaping techniques in order to reduce the need for watering and increase water retention in drier locations. Natural and drought resistant plant varieties will be used for decorative landscaping. Locally accessed rocks, boulders and sand are sourced to assist in the naturalization of the land while reducing transportation requirements for material.     

Although part of this project’s purpose is to demonstrate the logistics and feasibility of living in a high-performance, net zero home in a Canadian climate, it is still a home. Pleasure should be derived from one’s living space and this home evokes a sense of pleasure both inside, and out.                                                                                     

An open concept floor plan creates a multi-purpose area on the main floor. Additional sitting space is provided by the oversized island.