Vienna House
Project Overview
Vienna House is a six-storey, 123-unit affordable housing development in Vancouver that sets a new benchmark for Passive House certified urban housing in Canada. Combining exceptional energy performance, climate-adaptive design, and a deep commitment to occupant wellbeing, the project demonstrates what is possible when high-performance building systems and community-centered architecture are pursued with equal ambition.
Quick facts
Vancouver, British Columbia
Passive House
Low + High Rise Housing
Affordable Housing
Targeting PHI Certification
Prefabricated Wall Panels
Mass Timber
Thermal Efficiency for Healthy Interiors
Innotech’s Passive House certified windows and doors are integrated throughout the building, playing a central role in achieving the project’s airtightness, thermal efficiency, and occupant comfort targets. Specified for a development where performance, durability, and healthy indoor living are non-negotiable, the systems demonstrate how precision fenestration directly supports the demanding requirements of Passive House certified affordable housing at scale.
Designed in direct response to the 2021 heat dome, the building treats thermal resilience as a public health imperative. Adjustable exterior shading, cross-ventilation, and a continuous high-performance building envelope work together to maintain occupant comfort and reduce energy demand year-round — demonstrating that affordable housing can be designed to the same rigorous performance standards as any high-end residential project.
Tenants can also open windows on opposite sides of their units to create a cross-breeze and boost ventilation. As the PHI-certified windows and exterior doors are triple-pane Defender 88PH+ PRO by Innotech Windows + Doors, closing the windows means virtually eliminating outdoor noise, including the train.”
– Passive House Accelerator
A diverse mix of studio and one to four bedroom homes supports long-term community stability, allowing residents to remain as their needs change over time. Passive House certification ensures each unit maintains consistent indoor temperatures, superior air quality, and reduced energy costs year-round — creating homes where occupant health and comfort are built into the fabric of the building rather than left to mechanical systems alone.
Vienna House has attracted significant attention from the Passive House community and building industry, including a sold-out site visit hosted by Passive House Canada. For architects and builders, the project stands as a compelling case study in how high-performance fenestration, thoughtful building systems, and community-centered design can come together to raise the bar for affordable housing across the country.
Photography by Astro Media.
