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They don't have air conditioning but stay comfortable in the summer thanks to passive design strategies like cross-ventilation, a heat-releasing mezzanine window, and cooling winds from the nearby river. Solar panels provide about 75% of their energy needs, and they charge their electric car during the day while remaining connected to the grid.

"I wanted that natural beauty to be visible throughout the house and easily accessible,

A humble kitchen built with Ikea cabinets and a butcher block countertop gets the job done—but here, Sean and Chadd do most of the cooking outside.

The pre-fab building was fabricated by BC Passive House in Pemberton, British Columbia, and delivered via helicopter to the property in the woods.

The vertical, three-level cabin is compact in footprint, but maximizes every square foot.

Natural light entry hallway

Board and battten cottage inspired living room in muted tones

"I wanted the bones of the house to be bold, strong and simple,

The design team sprayed the metal structure’s inner walls with thermal insulation. Then they framed the interior with studs and clad it in spruce plywood.

The living area is encased on three sides by window walls, which slide open to the deck and offer views of the meadow and water beyond. "I love sitting in the living room and staring out to the water, the doors just melt away and it feels very quiet,

A flat stone dust path that is easily navigable on foot or by wheelchair leads from the kitchen to the Near Cabin. “We used boardwalks only for the most frequently traversed paths since they impact the site more than a simple walkway,” Shaw says.

“We’re always throwing events,” says Paul, so the indoor/outdoor style was a great fit for them.