Project Profile: CHESS - Red Deer, Alberta
To improve indoor air quality and reduce occupant exposure to harmful emissions, materials that produce toxins during manufacture or contain volatile organic compounds (VOC), have been eliminated or minimized in the home. Insulation materials are free of formaldehyde. Flooring, counters and tile in the home will all be made of natural products such as wood, concrete, marmoleum, cork and glass. Low-VOC paint and adhesives are used throughout the home.
Hydronic floor heating provides thermal comfort and reduces heat waste. Large windows on the south side of the home and large areas of thermal mass (basement and main floors, stone feature wall) will store passive solar heat during the day and release it back into the space at night. To prevent overheating, the building employs increased overhangs, and appropriately-sized windows.
Moisture is controlled with a highly-efficient building envelope, a properly designed heat recovery ventilator, and effective site grading. The SIP walls are designed to act as a vapour barrier and will prevent silent absorption of moisture through wall membranes. A layer of rigid expanded polystyrene (EP) insulation on the outside of the walls makes them practically impenetrable to moisture. The HRV will ensure a constant exchange of fresh outdoor air to replace stale indoor air and will increase thermal comfort throughout the home.
Airborne particles are kept to a minimum through careful selection of materials and finishes used in the home. Hard surface flooring will ensure that air-borne particles do not become trapping in materials. A central vacuum system will make cleaning easier and will be vented to the outdoors. The home’s HRV system is equipped with a Hepa filter which will capture 99.97 per cent of all dust and particles.
The rooms most frequently used during daylight hours (living room, kitchen and dining room) are positioned on the south side of the home. In addition, the living space is very open and has windows to the east, south, and west, effectively capturing light from dawn to dusk.