Belvedair news

Seeing our architecture firm recognized at such a high level is a source of great pride for us. At Belvedair, we view eco-friendly architecture not as a constraint, but as a catalyst for creativity. Stéphan's house demonstrates that it is entirely possible to combine an impressive architectural signature with top-tier environmental performance.

This prestigious recognition highlights our ability to listen to our clients and translate their aspirations into concrete, achievable plans. We firmly believe that an eco-friendly home must be perfectly suited to the lifestyle of its occupants while minimizing its carbon footprint.

Stéphan's House: A Lifetime's Work in the Heart of the Laurentians

Located in Saint-Hippolyte on a magnificent south-facing wooded lot, Stéphan's House is a 2,429-square-foot Scandinavian-style family home. For our client, this is his dream home, a project he has worked on his entire life and one that had to meet specific expectations.

As specialists in green building in the Laurentians, we designed this three-story home to blend with the terrain and maximize space:

• The garden level: It features two comfortable bedrooms, a full bathroom, a convenient laundry room, and a cozy living room, offering direct access to the surrounding nature.

• The main floor: This is the heart of the home. It features a spacious, bright living area with an open kitchen and dining room, fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It also includes the master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom, as well as a three-season room that opens onto an outdoor terrace.

• The Mezzanine: This upper level features a large workspace with desks, ideal for remote work in an inspiring setting.
  
  
  

The “ready-to-finish” concept: Close collaboration to stay within budget

When drawing up the plans, we worked closely with Stéphan to design an architectural style that was both minimalist and striking. As a passionate enthusiast of renovation and hands-on work, our client wanted to get actively involved and invest his time and energy in this life-changing project. It was only natural that we turned to our “ready-to-finish” package.

While our team handled the architectural design, engineering, thermal envelope, and building structure, Stéphan took charge of the interior finishes. This collaborative and transparent approach allowed him to actively participate in the construction process while optimizing his budget, without ever compromising on the home’s visual signature or its overall energy performance.

Reaching the Top: A New LEED Platinum and Novoclimat Home

Achieving Novoclimat certification and LEED Platinum status for this residential development is a superb demonstration of our expertise in natural environments. Outside major urban centers, a project cannot earn LEED points related to population density or proximity to public transportation. To reach the highest level of certification, the focus must therefore be 100% on intelligent design and the performance of the building envelope.

This exceptional achievement is the result of a perfect synergy between Belvedair and Stéphan. Our client came to us with high ecological standards and a firm commitment to building responsibly. Well-advised by our experts at every stage, he made rigorous choices regarding the exterior design and materials. It is this technical collaboration and shared vision that enabled us to achieve Platinum level, confirming that a new home in the forest can be a model of sustainability.

Building Science for Energy Efficiency

The beauty of Stéphan's house lies in its extremely robust thermal envelope, designed to withstand Quebec winters while drastically reducing energy bills. Our technical choices focused on sustainable, proven solutions:

• Superior insulation: We have constructed double-stud walls insulated with pressure-injected cellulose, an eco-friendly material that offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. The foundation walls are insulated with 6 inches of expanded polystyrene (EPS) to achieve an R-value of 30.
• Healthy materials: All polystyrene used is HCFC-free (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). Spray-applied polyurethane was limited to critical areas, such as the rim joist and window seals.
• Windows: The installation of triple-pane windows with double Low-E coatings (R-value 8.3) facing south maximizes passive solar gains in winter while retaining heat indoors.
• Exceptional airtightness: An airtightness test revealed a result of 0.7 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50 Pa, demonstrating the meticulous care taken by our carpenters and joiners when installing air and vapor barriers.
• Optimized mechanical systems: The heating system was sized using a room-by-room load calculation. The home is equipped with a high-performance heat pump capable of operating down to -20°C, a high-performance Venmar V150H75RT heat recovery ventilator (HRV), and 100% LED lighting.
• Electricity demand management: We installed a three-element water heater (Giant Ecopeak model) that reduces the power drawn from the Hydro-Québec grid during peak periods.

Building for the Long Term: Rigorous Structural Choices

At Belvedair, sustainability goes beyond energy efficiency. We employ construction methods designed to protect the building from the elements over the very long term. The metal roof is secured by 100% protection of the decking with a bituminous membrane. All openings are protected by a self-adhesive membrane.

For the foundation, in addition to traditional tar, we added a drainage insulation (S.R. Drain) and installed a BNQ-certified 7-hole foundation drain, equipped with cleaning ports to facilitate future maintenance. Even the balcony joists are protected by “Joist Guard” membranes to prevent rot in wood exposed to the elements.

Self-Sufficiency and Integration with Nature: Bioclimatic Greenhouse and Outdoor Features

Stéphan's house incorporates numerous eco-friendly design choices aimed at self-sufficiency and respect for biodiversity. The client wanted to incorporate a bioclimatic greenhouse attached to the house. This type of addition presents significant technical challenges: a greenhouse releases a great deal of moisture, which can threaten the wooden structure of the main house. We therefore used rot-resistant materials and created a hermetic and rigorous seal between the greenhouse, the garage, and the living area.

The exterior was designed with the same philosophy in mind. All the home’s plumbing is Watersense-certified to reduce potable water consumption, and a rainwater harvesting system was installed. The landscaping is exemplary: it incorporates strict erosion and stormwater control, as well as the use of drought-tolerant native plants. The presence of a chicken coop completes this sustainable and resilient lifestyle.