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The SoLo residence is a prototype redefining off-grid living in the remote Soo Valley of B.C., challenging conventions in aesthetics and construction, serving as a testing ground for innovative low-energy systems, healthy materials, and prefabricated construction methods.
Designed by the architecture firm, Perkins&Will, this 380-m2 (4,090-sf) alpine home is a Passive House-certified building, which features wood as its primary structural material. The wood, mostly Douglas fir, is exposed throughout the home, giving it the feel of a “temple to Douglas fir.” The house achieves PHI Low Energy Building certification through a performance-led, enclosure-first approach. A two-layer enclosure system, with an external heavy timber frame and a heavily insulated inner layer, ensures outstanding energy efficiency and comfort amid the valley’s extreme climate.
SoLo’s off-grid operations include a photovoltaic (PV) array, geo-exchange system, and hydrogen fuel cell for backup energy storage when there is no winter sun or peak use exceeds battery capacity. A 32kW vertically mounted solar array ensures year-round electricity, overcoming challenges posed by snow accumulation. The house also collects and treats its own water.
To address the challenges posed by its remote location, the construction team employed local builders for prefabricating modular elements off-site. This minimized on-site disturbance, accelerated construction during the short summer window, and reduced the project’s embodied carbon footprint.
Designed for a performance-led aesthetic, SoLo’s interior features a palette of six materials, with mass timber prominently celebrated. The project is committed to advancing health and sustainability-guided material choices, eliminating harmful substances, and promoting well-being. Further, it prompted a thermal bridging research initiative by the Vancouver studio, focusing on mitigating energy loss and enhancing interior comfort through detailed thermal modelling and calculations.
Situated between the traditional territories of the Lil’wat and Squamish First Nations, SoLo recognizes the valley’s historical significance. Timber cleared on the building site contributed to the local forest industry, aligning with the region’s historical forestry-based economy.
Named for its solo perch atop a hill in the Lower Soo Valley, SoLo embraces a pioneer mindset in paving a new path forward for sustainable, off-grid living. Kirk Robinson, senior vice-president of Delta Land Development, commends the project as “a unique combination of measures and outcomes without having to compromise on function and beauty.”
