Zero79 — Net Zero Ready Multiplex in The Danforth

Two homes, one infill lot, years ahead of the bylaw.

Two Family Homes on a 25-Foot Toronto Lot

Zero79 is a Net Zero Ready multiplex in The Danforth that places two independent family homes on one conventional 25-foot Toronto lot. Each home has its own entrance, private outdoor space, and identity, increasing housing choice without changing the scale of the street.

Zoning Built for One

At the time, Toronto’s zoning framework anticipated a single detached house on the site. Placing two homes one behind the other, rather than side by side, had little precedent and required close collaboration with City Planning throughout the approvals process. The project also sought to demonstrate that higher-density housing could achieve excellent environmental performance without increasing building scale or compromising everyday comfort.

A Shared Wall, Independent Homes

The two three-storey homes are organized around a carefully shaped party wall that allows each residence to read and function as an independent home. The arrangement creates privacy while making efficient use of a narrow urban site. From the outset, building performance was developed alongside spatial quality. Prefabricated wall and roof panels shortened on-site construction, while a highly insulated envelope, triple-pane windows, a carefully detailed air barrier, and heat recovery ventilation reduce energy demand and provide comfortable living conditions throughout the year.

Net Zero Ready Multiplex Housing in Toronto

Completed in 2020, Zero79 demonstrated that gentle urban intensification can support established neighbourhoods while creating sustainable housing for the future. Building Knowledge Canada Inc.’s project profiles identify Net Zero Ready as the technical standard. Their calculations compare Unit 1 at 33 GJ/year with an 83 GJ/year Building Code reference, and Unit 2 at 34 GJ/year with an 85 GJ/year reference: approximately 60% lower annual energy use for each home. Both profiles report 81% lower calculated greenhouse gas emissions.

These are calculated ratings under the profiles’ stated reduced operating conditions, not measured household consumption. Actual energy use varies with occupants and weather. The profiles’ zero annual net-energy figure is conditional on renewable energy being installed, and their airtightness figures are targets rather than reported test results.

The homes received Built Green Canada Platinum certification, documented in Built Green Canada’s Q2 2020 newsletter.

Registered as a condominium following completion, each home is now individually owned, demonstrating another model for delivering family housing within Toronto’s existing neighbourhoods.

The project has been featured in Tree Hugger, Design Lines Magazine, Building, eArchitect, BlogTO, and Design Raid, coverage that has continued well after construction ended in January 2020.