Did you know that between 35,000 and 38,000 new homes are built in Quebec every year? Now, imagine if all these homes adopted top-notch energy performance standards. Right now, the residential sector consumes about 55% of our electricity in winter, mainly due to heating. Switching to passive houses, which can cut energy use by up to 90%, could reshape our urban landscape and make a massive difference in fighting climate change.
As an architect with a decade of experience, now specializing in energy-efficient projects, I've made it my mission to share my knowledge and guide future builders towards passive house projects. The role of the architect is crucial—we meticulously select the right materials and systems to minimize energy needs while maximizing comfort and durability. Through rigorous design, we ensure air and water tightness, limit thermal bridges, and meet passive house standards.
But great designs need great execution. That’s where skilled contractors come in. These pros are essential for bringing an architect’s vision to life with precision and care. They must follow technical details to the letter to ensure the energy efficiency and durability of the buildings. In this article, we'll dive into the top leaders in passive construction in Quebec, giving you a comprehensive guide to kick-start your sustainable project.
Basis of contractor selection
The contractors on this list were chosen for their expertise and dedication to building passive houses. Some have certified Passive House projects under their belt, while others have built to passive standards without official certification. What's more, every one of them proudly features passive house standards on their website. I've grouped the contractors by region to make your search easier — there's no ranking here, just a focus on helping you find the right fit in your area.
To maintain complete neutrality, I want to be clear that all the information presented here is sourced directly from each contractor's website. My goal is to provide you with reliable and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions about your sustainable building project.
List of contractors (builders) of energy-efficient or passive buildings
Montreal / Laurentians
Easterntownships
Outaouais
Montreal / Laurentians
Construction Le Tournesol - Richard Price
Location : Montréal
Contact : richard@constructionletournesol.com | 514-475-3553
Website : constructionletournesol.com
Construction Le Tournesol specializes in Passive House construction. They offer a full range of services including new passive house construction, rehabilitation, and deep energy retrofits. In partnership with the Bioclimat workshop, Construction Le Tournesol is currently working on integrating prefabricated wall and roof modules to Passive House performance standards, to improve envelope performance and speed up site work.
Construction Le Tournesol's vision is to build homes that not only meet the most stringent energy standards, but also contribute to the health and well-being of occupants. By using low environmental impact materials and adopting sustainable construction practices, the company aims to create homes that are both environmentally friendly and comfortable.
Recent projects :
Maison Ozalée in Ahuntsic: Extensive renovation of a 1950s residence to transform it into a LEED Platinum-certified passive house.
Maison Senneville: New construction aiming for “Passive House” certification and built almost entirely with prefabricated envelope modules.List of contractors (builders) of energy-efficient or passive buildings.
6. Belvedair
Location : Montréal, St-Hippolyte, Sherbrooke, Québec
Website : belvedair.ca
Belvedair is a general contractor specializing in the design and construction of eco-friendly homes across Quebec. Belvedair is Novoclimat Sélect certified and won the Domus awards for Builder of the Year and Sustainability in 2018 by the APCHQ.
Belvedair's vision is to build resilient, sustainable and healthy homes that respect both the environment and customers' aspirations. The team is committed to integrating homes harmoniously with their natural surroundings, using high-quality materials and clean, contemporary architectural lines. They offer flexible solutions, including turnkey projects, ready-to-finish homes and shared collaborative projects.
Recent project :
Iluma Project : This project offers avant-garde ecological homes with high energy efficiency and state-of-the-art construction standards. Iluma homes are integrated into beautiful eco-domains across Quebec, with a focus on sustainability, comfort and long-term energy savings. Iluma properties are available in locations as diverse as Dunham, Arundel and Saint-Côme. (Iluma).
7. PSB - Philippe Sayegh-Binette
Location : Montréal
Contact : phil@cpsb.ca | 514-953-7445
Website : psb.construction
PSB (Constructions PSB Inc.), founded by Philippe Sayegh-Binette, is a design and construction company specializing in sustainable, energy-efficient buildings. The company combines contemporary architecture with advanced construction practices to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient solutions. PSB is LEED, Novoclimat and Passive House certified, demonstrating their commitment to high standards of sustainability and performance.
Recent projects :
Verdun triplex : A major renovation of a triplex in Verdun, aimed at improving energy efficiency while modernizing the space for greater resident comfort.
Norra Hem Passive House: Located in the Laurentians, this passive house integrates state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption and provide a healthy, comfortable living environment.
Maison Bioclimat
Location : Laval
Contact : info@maisonsbioclimat.ca | +1 (514) 803-2917
Website : maisonsbioclimat.ca
Maison Bioclimat is a designer, developer and renovator of energy-efficient homes. The company specializes in passive houses. Their constructions meet the standards of prestigious certifications such as Passivhaus Institute (PHI), Passive House US (PHIUS), Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED), and Novoclimat.
At Maison Bioclimat, we believe that the value of a company and a project is measured by the commitment of the people behind them. They see Mother Nature as their primary stakeholder, and her best interests are their constant concern. Their mission is to create homes that combine modern comfort with respect for the environment, using innovative technologies to minimize ecological impact.
Recent project :
The Le Boisé Bioclimat project is an initiative to create a living environment organized around energy-efficient, bioclimatic “passive house” type homes. Located in Sainte-Béatrix, the project aims to become a showcase for energy-efficient construction, highlighting strategies such as solar radiation optimization and heat recovery to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures all year round
Construction K Laporte
Location : Mont-Tremblant
Contact : k.laporte@constructionklaporte.ca
Website : constructionklaporte.com
Construction K Laporte Inc. founded by Keven Laporte some 15 years ago, specializes in the construction of new homes and major renovations, including Novoclimat and Passivhaus-certified projects. In 2022, the company acquired Landmark Passivhaus, strengthening its expertise in Passive House construction with the integration of Jim Iredale, a Passive House pioneer in Quebec.
The company aims to “build for the future” by offering energy-efficient, sustainable and environmentally-friendly homes. Their philosophy is based on the use of eco-friendly materials and advanced construction methods to create homes that are not only comfortable and healthy, but also help reduce energy costs from day one.
Recent projects :
Passive Landmark House: A notable project where the team achieved exemplary results in blower door testing, with results of 0.24 CAH (air changes per hour), well below the maximum 0.6 CAH required by passive house standards. The house uses rigorous construction techniques and high-performance materials to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
Easterntownships
Construction Rocket
Location : Sutton
Contact : info@constructionrocket.com
Website : constructionrocket.com
Construction Rocket, founded by William Murray and Sarah Cobb in 2012, specializes in building eco-friendly, energy-efficient homes. PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) and LEED certified, they build homes that combine comfort, sustainability and low energy consumption. They focus on using local, healthy and sustainable materials, reducing carbon emissions and minimizing construction waste.
Recent projects :
Springhouse : Their first certified Passive House built in 2017. This project marked a turning point in their practice, using state-of-the-art technologies to ensure optimal airtightness and insulation, guaranteeing exceptional interior comfort and minimal energy consumption.
Maison Passive Saltbox : Both Passive House and LEED certified, this project has become a benchmark for sustainable construction and demonstrates the company's commitment to green building practices.
ÉcoNovation
Location : Sutton
Contact : info@econovation.ca | 514-569-4231
Website : econovation.ca
ÉcoNovation is a Sutton-based sustainable construction company specializing in the design and construction of passive and low-carbon buildings. Founded by Simon Gaudreault, Étienne Vigneron and Roselyn Ruben, ÉcoNovation is dedicated to building comfortable, sustainable and environmentally friendly spaces, using the latest energy-efficient technologies and materials.
ÉcoNovation's vision is to redefine building standards for a new generation of environmentally conscious customers. The company is committed to providing healthy, comfortable living spaces using local materials, natural products and energy-efficient construction techniques. Their mission is to minimize the ecological footprint while guaranteeing a superior quality of life for future generations.
Recent projects :
Harmony Sutton Triplex : A multi-family residential project in Sutton that illustrates the company's commitment to sustainable and innovative construction practices.
Southern Comfort House : A single-family home project that incorporates advanced techniques to maximize energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Le Châteauneuf : Another residential project demonstrating the company's expertise in the construction of passive and energy-efficient homes.
Outaouais
Wooden Shoe Timber Frames
Location : Wakefield
Contact : info@woodenshoetimberframes.ca | 613-355-3590
Website : woodenshoetimberframes.ca
Wooden Shoe Timber Frames specializes in the design and construction of solid wood structures. Based in Wakefield, in the Gatineau Hills, the company is dedicated to creating homes, barns, art studios and municipal structures using traditional and modern framing techniques. With over 20 years' experience, Wooden Shoe combines time-honored craftsmanship with modern engineering to build durable, aesthetically pleasing structures that will last for generations.
Wooden Shoe's vision is to live in harmony with nature by using local materials, constructing energy-efficient buildings and recycling leftover materials. Their mission is to create wooden structures that are both beautiful and sustainable, using natural products and energy-efficient construction techniques to minimize the environmental footprint. Each project is designed to require no replacement, ensuring exceptional longevity.
Recent projects :
Balkin – Roy Retreat : An ecological retreat incorporating solid wood framing techniques to create a living space in harmony with nature.
Chelsea Passive House: The Chelsea passive house combines modern building science with a wooden structure.
Ed Brunet et Associés Canada Inc. - For larger scale projects
Location : Gatineau
Contact : info@edbrunet.com | 819-777-3877
Website : edbrunet.com
Ed Brunet and Associates Canada Inc. is a fifth-generation family business specializing in various construction sectors, including residential, commercial, institutional, heritage and industrial. With over 120 years of experience, the company is recognized for its uncompromising quality and commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions.
The company's vision is to maintain high standards of quality and safety while respecting budgets and deadlines. Ed Brunet et Associés strives to build sustainable, innovative structures that meet the needs of customers and local communities. The company also makes a point of developing trusting relationships with its employees, customers and professional partners.
Recent project :
La Pêche City Hall : This current institutional project is Passive House certified. It highlights the company's commitment to integrating green and energy-efficient building standards. The La Pêche town hall is an example of their ability to manage complex projects while complying with the most stringent environmental standards.
Selecting the right contractor for your project
When considering the construction of an energy-efficient home, it's essential to choose your contractor carefully.
Check references and experience: Make sure the contractor has specific experience in building energy-efficient homes, and visit previous projects to assess the quality of their work. Look for accreditations such as Passivhaus (PHI), PHIUS (Passive House US), LEED or Novoclimat.
Discuss your needs and expectations: Before finalizing your choice, discuss your specific needs, budget and expectations in detail to ensure that the contractor can meet your requirements.
Work with a specialized architect: An architect experienced in energy-efficient construction can not only design an aesthetically pleasing and functional home, but also optimize energy efficiency and comfort. Your architect will also be able to advise you on the choice of contractor according to your project objectives, expectations and region. Integrated design is the key to successful planning, which means close collaboration between architect and builder from the earliest stages of a project.
For more information, consult the resources and websites of the certifications mentioned and of companies specializing in Passive House construction. You'll find valuable advice to help you make informed decisions and bring your energy-efficient home project to fruition. I also encourage you to contact the contractors mentioned in this article to discuss your projects. If you know of any other contractors who deserve to be added to this list, please let me know so that this compilation is even more complete and useful for all those wishing to build or renovate a passive house.
About the author:
Kim Cloutier is an experienced architect with a career marked by projects focused on simplicity and sustainability. She is a certified LEED Passive House Designer and Green Associate, demonstrating her commitment to high standards of energy performance and environmental sustainability. Kim aspires to promote healthier living through her projects, with a focus on creating healthy, sustainable environments.