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How deconstruction & retention are driving 1908 to Net-Zero’s low-carbon strategy

[Vancouver, B.C. – March 19] – In Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant (re)construction is underway on 1908 to Net-Zero, transforming a 117-year-old character heritage home into three high-performance Net-Zero dwellings. As part of this process the home balances 16-feet above its new footings, sitting atop Jenga-like blocks (cribs) and steel supports.

With nearly 70 years of history lifting homes, Nickel Bros shares their insights in Episode 2: Integrated Design & House Lift, part of an educational series developed in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.

“In the greater Vancouver area alone, over 3,000 single-family homes are demolished and sent to landfill every year. We need to be more sustainable in our practices,” says Jeremy Nickel, President of Nickel Bros. “By lifting and retaining homes, their embodied carbon is not wasted and material reuse is made possible.”

By undertaking a deconstruction and retention process the project prevents valuable materials from entering the landfill and reduces embodied carbon. With help from VEMA Deconstruction, old growth lumber will be reintegrated into the new construction while interior finishes and appliances are donated to Habitat for Humanity. New materials are selected for being local, low-carbon, and circular.

The impact is significant. A lifecycle study reveals that the embodied carbon for the primary structure and suite is designed to reach 38% below the typical new construction CO2e/m2 baseline, while the infill house achieves a 64% reduction vs. baseline.

As a first-in-Canada character (re)construction to Net-Zero project, 1908 to Net-Zero seeks to make sustainable construction more approachable. The series demonstrates practical strategies for homeowners and builders to create low-carbon, low-waste, and resilient Net-Zero dwellings within a traditional construction budget. Episode 2 explores:

• How an integrated design charrette can save time and cost 
• The impact of energy testing on performance
• Why demolition is never the right solution
• Key steps when preparing for a house lift 

Watch Episode 2: Integrated Design & House Lift at Youtube.com/@1908tonetzero

Contact Information: 

Sylvie Kotyk, Director, Marketing & Partnerships 
Sylvie@deepgreendevelopments.com

Project team featured in Episode 2:

• Developer: Deep Green Developments
• Architect: Smithcraft Architecture
• Custom Home Builder: Best Builders
• Energy Advisor: Capture Energy
• House Lifting Specialists: Nickel Bros
• Deconstruction: VEMA Deconstruction
• Excavation: J&R Excavation
• Education Partner: CHBA

The sustainable initiative launches with a new educational video series 

[Vancouver, B.C. – October 28] – 1908 to Net-Zero breaks ground this fall in Vancouver’s historic Mount Pleasant, transforming a 115-year-old heritage character home into two net-zero energy homes alongside a new net-zero laneway house.

“This project represents a significant step forward in sustainable reconstruction,” says owner Branden Kotyk. “We’re focusing on innovation at every stage, from low-carbon materials to advanced energy efficiency.” 

Brought to life by Deep Green Developments, Best Builders, and Capture Energy, 1908 to Net-Zero sets a precedent for future renovations and new construction across the country in advance of new code mandates by 2030. The century-old home’s conversion to Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s (CHBA) Net-Zero standards highlights the value of retrofitting existing buildings to reduce embodied and operational carbon. 

“Projects like 1908 to Net-Zero are pivotal for demonstrating advanced techniques and sustainable practices in heritage renovations,” says Lynne J Strickland, Director of Initiatives, Net Zero Housing, at CHBA. “This project offers a valuable case study for the industry, showing how Net-Zero targets can be achieved across a variety of building situations within a traditional construction budget.” 

As part of the project, an educational video series tailored for homeowners, designers, and builders will offer technical insights into net-zero renovations and low-carbon construction. The first episode, Project Vision, is now available on YouTube. Created in partnership with CHBA, the series takes viewers behind the scenes to explore innovative, industry-leading practices in sustainable construction. Future episodes will cover deconstruction over demolition (Q4 2024), a historic house lift onto ICF foundation with low carbon concrete (Q1 2025), an exploration of prefabricated systems and even biomaterials such as straw insulation (Q2 2025).

The first project of its kind in Canada, 1908 to Net-Zero proves that heritage and character homes can help drive climate solutions. By focusing on sustainability, heritage preservation, and gentle densification, it serves as a national model on modernizing older homes responsibly.

Contact Information: 

Sylvie Kotyk 

Director, Marketing & Partnerships 

Sylvie@deepgreendevelopments.com