# Self-Sustaining Mansions The Double High House Has a Slew of Eco Features By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-07-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-high-house References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2014/07/19/double-high-house-by-checkwitch-poiron-architects-inc/) & [cparch](http://www.cparch.ca/) Checkwitch Poiron Architects designed the 'Double High House' in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. The finished home has mastered "suburban living" with a sophisticated twist. The architects made sure to position the home's [slender form](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-house-1) towards the north, ensuring a high level of [solar exposure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000) enters it from the south. Also on the southern end of the home is a 22-foor sliding door, which accesses the wooden deck to create a fluid, unobtrusive transition between the interior and exterior. Inside, the floor plan is geared towards creating an open, overlapping system of spaces. The architects also installed in-floor radiant hydronic heating, natural ventilation, a heat recovering ventilator and an efficient lighting design. These [eco-friendly features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twin-pitches) make this gorgeous home even more appealing and self-sufficient. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Architecture:** The 'Double High House' showcases innovative eco-friendly features that can inspire sustainable architecture designs. - **Solar Energy Integration:** The home's orientation and use of a sliding door enhance solar exposure, presenting opportunities for integrating solar energy into residential buildings. - **Smart Home Technology:** The use of in-floor radiant heating and efficient lighting design highlights the potential for integrating smart home technology in sustainable houses. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture and Design:** Architects can draw inspiration from the 'Double High House' to create sustainable and energy-efficient residential buildings. - **Renewable Energy:** The integration of solar energy in the home suggests opportunities for renewable energy companies to develop innovative solutions for residential use. - **Home Automation:** The use of smart home technology in the 'Double High House' presents opportunities for the home automation industry to create energy-efficient and sustainable living environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Off-Grid Self-Sufficient Island Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-house.md) - [Sustainable Country Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-oaks-farm.md) - [Sustainable Off-Grid Remote Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daria-sheina.md) - [Climatic Resilient Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/west-don-ravine-passive-house.md) - [Modern Highland Residential Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-the-andes.md) - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Sustainable Family Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twin-pitches.md) - [Hillside Tranquil Off-Grid Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cooroy-house.md) - [Off-Grid Solar Panel Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/florian-busch-architects.md)