The Brama Project

LEED™ for Homes Platinum Target
Net-Zero Energy Goal

A smarter home for a smarter planet.

Our Brama Project is pair of semi-detached inner city
Calgary townhomes based on a simple premise: design a building to take maximum advantage of the resources that are already there.

It’s a landmark project in energy and resource efficiency, and it's nice to look at too.

We questioned everything.

There’s no gas line to Brama – it’s entirely off the natural gas grid, independent of fossil fuels and their fluctuating costs. Brama uses significantly less water and electricity than conventional homes. The entire building works as a system, with every component serving a calculated purpose.

Finally, a house that pays you.

Brama is a concrete fortress, heated entirely by geothermal and passive solar heat, energized by PV solar all year round. Enmax buys your excess electricity back, ensuring you get a credit more often than you get a bill. It’s called net metering, and it means you can have a solar powered home without a basement full of batteries.

Building Envelope

• Super-insulated ICF + SIP construction
• Extensive use of thermal mass to retain and
  distribute heat
• Triple pane high-efficiency windows throughout
• South-facing glass panel garage doors ensure single car garages heat themselves
• Under slab insulation
• Blower door tested prior to drywall

• Reversible Geothermal system w/ embedded radiant floor and water heating throughout
• Full PV solar system
• On-demand hot water
• Extremely efficient Energy-Star appliances (incl. induction cooktops)
• Insulated hot water lines
• Sensor faucets throughout
• 1.75 gpm shower heads
• Dual flush toilets
• Control 4 home automation to maximize efficiency
• LED lighting
• Sensors on lighting in transitionary spaces
• Continuous fresh air intake via Earth Tube system supplemented with Heat Recovery Ventilators
• Taped seams on all ductwork
• Advanced combustion wood burning fireplaces
• 1,500 US gallon cistern collects rainwater from
  sloped roof
• Reflective roof alleviates heat island effect

• Non-toxic paints and finishes throughout
• All materials, incl. wood and cabinetry, are formaldehyde-free

• FSC interior framing lumber
• Reclaimed Douglas Fir stairs and interior shelving
• All wood sourced within 500 miles
• All concrete (including stucco) contains min. 33% fly ash to reduce use of Portland cement

• Retention of mature existing trees on site
• Drought-tolerant native landscaping
• Green wall retaining wall system
• Permeable pavers at driveway reduce storm
  water run-off

• Site responsive design oriented to capture free energy from the sun (passive solar)
• Roofline eaves and window placements designed to reduce excessive heat gain in summer months while allowing natural solar energy gains throughout
  the winter
• Inner city location with proximity to public transit and park space
• Open and loft-like interiors
• Private balconies extend living space to the outdoors
• Plenty of natural daylighting and fresh air
• Dedicated composting and recycling areas
• Relocation and reuse of previous bungalow residence