Calgary net-zero laneway home built with straw insulation and solar aims to be replicable across Canada

A Calgary homeowner is building a net-zero laneway home designed to operate with near-zero emissions and minimal embodied carbon. The 840-square-foot upper unit plus a 900-square-foot lower shop and office uses wheat straw insulation, triple-glazed windows, and a solar array expected to cover about 80 percent of its electricity needs. The builder, OnGrid Build, saved reclaimed hardwood, drywall, and plywood from past commercial projects to reduce material waste. The home is also built to withstand Alberta's extreme weather, including hail, high winds, and heavy snow. The owner, Brett Barlow, hopes the project will serve as a replicable model for sustainable housing across Canada. He plans to offer similar laneway homes through OnGrid and sees potential for the concept in multifamily housing. While upfront costs are higher than a conventional build, Barlow says long-term savings from energy efficiency and selling solar power back to the grid can offset the difference. The project is expected to finish by July 2026 and will be used as a case study for further research on sustainable homes.