Todd Talbot Builds: The Passive House Project

The challenges begin when a windstorm fells trees on their property, blocking the road and access to the disposal bin being used for clean up.  Todd renovates an old shed as temporary accommodation.

Todd and his team are re-routing the road into the property to conform to environmental code. With the help of structural engineer Jim Mandelli, Todd starts calculating where the foundation will be.

Todd and his team has finished the cement pour for the foundation when they learn that head carpenter Patrick Conolly has lost his house in a nearby wildfire. Peter Chow steps in as lead carpenter.

Todd and Peter begin building the roof and must find a solution to work safely. Peter utilizes his rock-climbing experience and trains Todd to work using a harness to climb and rappel.

It’s fall and Todd is desperately trying to find someone to install the metal roofing before winter. He sends out a call on social media and by a miracle, a Calgary-based roofer responds.

It’s the last year of building and Todd and the team install the mechanical systems, electrical and plumbing including the very important air handling system. Todd celebrates a milestone birthday.

Insulating and air tightness becomes an obsession for Todd and a critical air flow test is undertaken with Passive House consultant, Shaun St-Amour. A nearby fire causes the family to evacuate.

Todd evacuates the building site and heads to Vernon to be with Rabecca and the kids. The next morning they learn that the A-Frame has burned down. Todd and Rabecca discuss the future.