L a t i t u d e H o u s i n g S y s t e m
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Site Development
A primary issue in the planning of site development and building orientation includes the
strategic orientation of units with heavily glazed facades and related energy harvesting
systems oriented to the south. In order to optimize density while maintaining solar
access, a matrix of plots is designed to facilitate through-block access and produce
private outdoor space. The proposed site design displaces shared amenities and parking
areas to perimeter laneways, while creating a series of connective paths linking access
to individual units. In this configuration, and scaled to the size of an average platting plan
densities of 50-60 people per hectare can be achieved, which is consistent with transit
oriented development (TOD) targets outlined within planning policy in Southern Ontario
for non-central peri-urban locations.
With agglomerations of dwellings the resilience and flexibility of Latitude’s building
components becomes increasingly efficient. The houses are designed to be able to be
developed as duplexes and townhouses to reduce land use as compared to existing
models of detached suburban typologies and to capitalize on the possibility of
aggregating renewable energy, waste processing and local food production systems
within a market context of single family homes (Fig. 6).
Figure 6: Typological and site development for Latitude system: (left) Multiple varieties of housing
type are possible, allowing for a wide range of design choice; (middle) Cooperative strategies for
sustainable development; (right) Possible of detailed site plan for multiple units.
North House Prototype
The
North House
is a proof of concept prototype prefabricated solar powered home that
advances the Latitude System as a fully realized testbed (Fig. 7 left). The prototype has
been constructed to serve as a public demonstration and education project advancing
awareness regarding emerging technologies, solar living and energy conservation as
well as to operate as a platform for extensive monitoring, testing and evaluation of these
systems, providing the design and construction industry with much needed data for high
performance residential buildings. The project was selected as one of twenty finalists in
the US Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon, where it was visited by over
200,000 members of the public. Design research and construction of the North House
Project was undertaken between 2008 and 2010 by an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional
