Designed by A. Slade Architects Inc. (architectural design, interior and lighting design, and material selection) and built by L. Patten & Sons Ltd., the home reflects a shared passion for performance, sustainability, and beauty in every detail.

From the outset, the design was guided by the homeowners’ deep understanding of energy-efficient architecture and their clear, purposeful vision. Although not a Passive House-certified structure, the home embodies the same guiding principles. Passive House certification is an internationally recognized standard that verifies a building meets high energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

This home employs insulated concrete form (ICF) walls for all exterior walls and the foundation, extending through the rafters. Using ICF construction throughout is not common in this region, but it was a deliberate choice to eliminate thermal bridging and provide an airtight, quiet home. In addition, Schöck Isokorb thermal breaks and solar panel systems were incorporated to bring the structure close to Net-Zero performance, which will be monitored and evaluated in the coming years.

Its form emerged from the rhombus-shaped lot and the desire to maximize both passive solar gain and breathtaking views of Craigleith Ski Club and the setting sun over the escarpment. These sculptural projections allow for natural shading in the summer while harnessing sunlight during the winter.

Inside, a central glass staircase anchors the home, serving as both a solar chimney and a beacon of warmth that rises through all levels, connecting front to back and light to landscape. This thoughtful placement of the stairs subtly divides the kitchen and dining areas and creates a striking feature that greets you as you enter through the front door.

Each tread, crafted from the same Northern Wide Plank (NWP) flooring material, was designed to match the home’s cohesive aesthetic. NWP’s Edinburgh European Oak in 220mm (8 ⅝”) widths, transitions seamlessly into the upper level’s living, dining, and kitchen spaces. The oak’s natural warmth and subtle grain balance the precision of glass, steel, and concrete.

“Northern Wide Plank’s Edinburgh European Oak wide planks became the genesis of the entire material palette,“ explains architect Andrew Slade. “Its tone, finish, and texture guided everything from the heavy timber truss stain to the ceiling soffits and even the wood pendant lights.” The result is a home where material and light speak the same quiet language, balancing modern refinement with an organic warmth.

Every decision, from the concealed lighting that traces the home’s geometry to the understated cantilevered decks, serves both function and feeling. Built with purpose and restraint, this alpine retreat expresses how thoughtful design, sustainable technology, and natural materials can coexist beautifully in one living, breathing structure.

“This feature is a perfect example of a company that cares deeply about the end use of its products, its partners, and its clients. It's amazing to work with companies like Northern Wide Plank that are always looking for ways to give back and celebrate the wonderful stories of design and the building process.