Skip to content

Resource Library

Zero House: Case study of a modular zero carbon, zero toxin, zero waste building 

Video

Overview

Watch the session with Chris Magwood who discusses the design, construction, assembly, and re-assembly of a modular zero carbon, zero toxin, zero waste building, and shares lessons learned and data results from the project.

In 2017, the Endeavour Centre set out to make a prototype home that would meet several key criteria. First, the building needed to be completely modular, able to be constructed on-site in less than a week, and also able to be taken apart and reassembled multiple times. Secondly, the building needed to have a zero-carbon footprint, contain zero toxins, and produce zero waste.

The design for the building, provided by a Ryerson University student/faculty team, is for a stackable row house suitable for urban infill. We built one unit, which can be stacked two-high and up to sixteen across.

This session will take you through the design, construction, assembly, and re-assembly of this unique building, and share with you lessons learned and data results from the project.

Continuing Education Units (CEUS) 1 hour in
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• American Institute of Architects – AIA (HSW) 
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP)
• AIBD
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable

Lessons Learned:
1) Understand building modularity
2) Understand full “carbon use intensity” metric, including up-front embodied emissions and operational emissions
3) Understand zero toxin building materials and verification
4) Understand zero waste building and verification

Related Resources

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource Video

1950s Home Retrofit to Super Efficient Passive House 

Watch to learn about a 1950s Montreal house that was retrofitted to become an efficient passive house by adding a 16 inch thick layer of cellulose insulation to the exterior.

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource Video

BPA & Service Year Alliance: AmeriCorps Capacity – Building Opportunity Webinar

In this webinar, we provide an in-depth overview of AmeriCorps State and National Programming, uncovering available resources for weatherization and clean energy agencies.

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource Video

The Interconnected House 

Watch as Energy Circle installs a basement subfloor after a series of problems related to gutters, roof, foundation, and insulation.