Design charette for a net-zero, fully electric multi-unit residential building in Ottawa

Centretown Citizens of Ottawa (CCOC) will undertake an integrated design charette for a four-storey, 49-unit residential building to be built at 147 and 159 Forward Avenue. The charette will include a reference-building energy simulation, a facilitated integrated design workshop for high-efficiency building design, real-time system performance monitoring for the reference-building energy simulation, and a final energy model that quantifies potential energy savings in comparison to the reference-building model. CCOC aims to achieve a net-zero energy build through an all-electric design that eliminates the use of natural gas. Energy needs will be supplemented through on-site solar generation. The building will be resilient to changing outdoor temperatures, which will increase occupant comfort and result in lower, more consistent energy costs. CCOC anticipates that 75% of the units will be rented at below 80% median market rent. The building’s performance will be used to improve the energy performance of future designs. As next steps, CCOC plans to apply for new construction capital project funding through the SAH program. It has already secured funding from the City of Ottawa and from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Co-Investment Fund program. The detailed building energy model completed through this planning grant will guide the ensuing capital project application. (Project description from original funding application)