Timbre & Harmony
High Performance Passive House Project
A Passive House project in Vancouver demonstrating low-energy, comfortable living for diverse residents
Image credit: Ryder Architecture
reLoad’s Role:
Thermal Comfort Modelling
Passive Measures Advisory
55% Reduction vs NECB
CMHC Energy Study
Project Size: 9,000 m²
Project Category: Residential
Location: Vancouver, BC
Client: Brightside Community Homes Foundation
Target Certifications: Passive House Certification (Pending)
Architect: Ryder Architecture
Optimising Comfort and Efficiency for Today and Tomorrow
Image credit: Ryder Architecture
Timbre & Harmony brings together two residential developments: Timbre for seniors and Harmony without age restrictions, into a cohesive, sustainable community in Vancouver. The project is targeting Passive House certification, combining high-performance envelopes, efficient systems, and thoughtful design to ensure thermal comfort year-round while minimizing energy demand.
reLoad supported the project by acting as energy and thermal consultant, providing dynamic thermal modeling to verify comfort under current conditions and projected future climates. The modelling advised on optimizing passive design strategies to improve thermal comfort, including glazing specifications, shading depth, and ventilation rate advisory. Our energy modeling for CMHC funding confirmed the design achieves a 55% reduction in energy use compared to NECB 2015 standards, demonstrating that high-performance housing can be both affordable and resilient.
By integrating rigorous analysis with smart, future-focused design, Timbre & Harmony sets a benchmark for low-carbon, comfortable, and inclusive housing that meets the needs of diverse residents while preparing for a changing climate.