The Ridge

High above Kootenay Lake in Kaslo, British Columbia, sits The Ridge, a residence appropriately named and engineered for exceptional energy performance. This home, the creation of Ecocentric Design, incorporates a range of environmentally conscious technologies and sustainable construction elements, such as:

Roofing insulated with poly-iso, achieving U-0.129/R44

Concrete flooring incorporating 4.5″ EPS rigid insulation for a rating of U-0.0241/R23.5

Windows and doors featuring triple glazing and double Low-E coatings

Strategic solar heat gain through the home's design, with ample windows oriented to the East, South, and West

A solar hot water heater, complemented by a heat recovery ventilation system

Light timers to curtail daytime electricity consumption

Steel siding and roofing chosen for their extended lifespan

The welcoming open-concept design centers around a sizable kitchen island that also serves as the dining table. The home is filled with abundant natural light through numerous large openings, which simultaneously provide breathtaking views of the lake and the impressive Kootenay Rockies. To lessen the building's environmental footprint, existing old-growth trees were preserved on the land; the towering trees seen through the windows also give the impression that the house is floating.