Net Zero and Embodied Carbon Consulting: Vancouver Duplex
A building's carbon footprint has two halves: the energy it will use for decades, and the carbon locked into its materials on day one. For a new duplex in Vancouver, Monolith Housing Solutions handled both in one process, pairing Net Zero energy modelling with an embodied-carbon assessment under the Vancouver Building By-law and the Zero Emission Buildings Bulletin.
Project Snapshot
Project: Vancouver Duplex
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Building: New duplex with two dwelling units
Framework: Vancouver Building By-law, Zero Emission Buildings Bulletin
Service: Net Zero modelling, embodied-carbon consulting, airtightness testing, compliance documents
Tools: HOT2000 energy model, City of Vancouver BEAM worksheet
Two kinds of carbon
Operational Energy and Embodied Carbon, Side by Side
The two are measured differently and driven by different decisions. Handling them together avoids choices that improve one at the cost of the other.
Operational energy
Embodied carbon
What it measures
Energy for heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water
Carbon tied to construction materials
Tool used
HOT2000 model for both units
City of Vancouver BEAM worksheet
Main levers
Envelope, glazing, airtightness, mechanical systems
Choice of materials and assemblies
Verified by
Mid-construction and final blower door tests, final model update
Material assessment during design
Material choices
Lower-Carbon Alternatives That Can Actually Be Built
A lower-carbon material only helps if it can be sourced, installed and paid for. Each alternative was weighed on three tests.
1
Availability
Can it be sourced for the project in time?
2
Constructability
Can trades install it reliably within the assemblies?
3
Cost
Does the change fit the project budget?
Operational Energy: Modelling Both Units
HOT2000 models for both units drove envelope, glazing and airtightness optimization and a review of the mechanical systems, producing the permit-stage compliance documents and the Net Zero pre-construction report.
Embodied Carbon: Measuring the Materials
An embodied carbon assessment with the City of Vancouver BEAM worksheet quantified the planned materials and gave the team a basis for comparing alternatives.
What an Integrated Approach Gives a Builder
- Both carbon requirements handled in one process.
- Materials tested for carbon, availability, build and cost at once.
- Field testing that confirms modelled performance.
- Comfort and durability kept in view.
Building a Duplex or Multiplex in Vancouver?
If your project needs to meet both operational and embodied-carbon requirements, Monolith Housing Solutions can handle both from the first model to final documentation.
Project Media
Vancouver Duplex
Elevation drawings for the duplex.