In the push to solve Canada’s housing crisis, developers are often forced to choose between affordability and energy efficiency.

These two goals are frequently seen as being on opposite ends of the spectrum. Energy-efficient buildings are often more expensive to construct, while affordable housing projects may sacrifice long-term performance to meet budget constraints.

At 1081 Montreal Street in Kingston, Kiwi Newton and Sterling Maple are proving that this tradeoff is not inevitable.

Using the Kiwi Precast System, the team will deliver energy efficient affordable housing with an impressive 61.5 % energy savings compared to the national code baseline, all while maintaining affordability and speed of construction.

Project Overview: Energy Efficient Affordable Housing

The Kingston development, developed by Sterling Maple, consists of a nine-storey, 149-unit rental building, designed to meet the highest standards of energy performance.

With a gross floor area of nearly 10,000 m², the project aims to secure funding under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Apartment Construction and Loan Program (ACLP) by achieving Tier 4 compliance, a demanding 60% improvement over the baseline NECB 2020 code.

The project is planning to break ground in September of 2025.

The Results: Energy Performance That Exceeds Expectations

The development team had Entuitive Consulting Engineers perform a comprehensive energy modelling report based on the current design. The report was required for the CMHC ACLP program which offers funding for projects with energy efficient affordable housing

Thanks to the innovative application of the Kiwi Precast System, the building achieved:

• 61.5% reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
• 82.9% reduction in Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHGI)
• 58.9% reduction in Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI)

These figures not only surpassed the CMHC Tier 4 requirements but will also unlock Level B incentives under the City of Kingston’s Green Standard Community Improvement Plan (GS-CIP).

What Is the Cost of This Affordable Project?

Key Design Features that Drove Performance

Kiwi Precast System

The Kiwi Precast System is a whole process for planning, designing, prefabricating, and constructing energy-efficient and durable buildings with prefabricated concrete components and continuous external insulation, enabling rapid construction, reduced costs, and customizable designs for a wide range of project types.

Thermally Active Building System (TABS)

Thermal mass is activated via in-floor hydronic heating and cooling, enabling passive temperature regulation and reducing reliance on traditional HVAC systems.

Tight Envelope & High-Performance Windows

Air infiltration was reduced to 0.19 l/s/m² @ 5Pa. Triple-glazed windows with U-values of 0.8 and SHGC 0.26, coupled with effective insulation values of R-25 walls, R-50 roof, and R-20 below grade.

Solar Energy Integration

The project will include a minimum of 62.4 kW rooftop solar PV system, generating approximately 82 MWh annually, offsetting a significant portion of the building’s energy demand. A 62.4 kW array represents roughly half of the useable roof area on the building. The development team will potentially include an 120 kW array, which will generate roughly 158 MWh per year.

Why This Matters

This project is a clear demonstration that affordable housing doesn’t have to compromise on energy performance.

With the Kiwi Precast System, developers can fast-track approvals, reduce lifecycle costs, increase Net Operating Income, and dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions, all while meeting affordability and durability goals.

The 1081 Montreal Street case proves that modular, precast solutions are not only scalable but essential to solving Canada’s dual housing and climate crises.

Project Partner: Sterling Maple

Sterling Maple is a forward-thinking real estate development company committed to building sustainable, thoughtfully designed, purpose-built rental communities.

Sterling Maple integrates innovative low-carbon construction techniques and high-efficiency building systems that exceed today’s energy standards.

Their developments offer bright, livable spaces featuring modern design and environmentally responsible features, including a focus on affordability and accessibility.