Canadian Timber House Uses Salvaged Wood From Nearby Elk Reserve

The use of salvaged wood is just one of many impressive features of this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/great-barrier-island-solar-home-elevated-on-stilts-to-avoid-flooding/">timber home</a> in British Columbia. Designed by <a href="http://smkarchitect.com/">Architect Scott M. Kemp</a>, the home serves as a residence for him and his family and has achieved a LEED Platinum rating from the Canadian Green Building Council. Salvaged wood, geothermal heating and cooling, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-materials">green materials</a> and an energy efficient solar passive design set the home apart.

Located on the banks of the Fraser River, downriver from the village of Ladner, this eco residence takes full advantage of its river site for views as well as the relatively constant temperature of the water.

The 2,200 sq ft home is split into three sections - garage, workshop and main home.

Solar passive design and high performance glazing reduce energy use along with a tight thermal envelope made from SIPs.

No trees were cut down for the home as the sustainable timber was sourced from salvaged logs harvested from an elk reserve on Vancouver Island.

The trees were knocked down in strong storms and were presenting a fire hazard as well as blocking the elk's regular migratory path.

The logs were milled and graded locally for use in the home as dimensional lumber, which was assembled into engineered beams to give the impression of large timber sections.

A closed loop geothermal system hanging in the river below the dock works in tandem with a heat pump to provide hot water and radiant floor heating and cooling for the home.

Additionally the home makes use of a roof with a high albedo to reflect the sun's heat and a HRV (heat recovery ventilation) system improves energy efficiency.

Additionally the home makes use of a roof with a high albedo to reflect the sun's heat and a HRV (heat recovery ventilation) system improves energy efficiency.

Rainwater is harvested from the roof and used for irrigation of the riparian zone of native plants along the river's edge.

Construction of the home took 11 months and the owner was both the architect and contractor.

The site of the home was formerly a brownfield used by the fishing industry.

The home cost approximately $230 per square foot.