Alberta’s leading construction trade journal, Alberta Construction Magazine, has selected Habitat for Humanity’s NetZero Energy Precast Concrete Duplex in Edmonton for its 2013 Project of the Year, as well as the winner of the Sustainability award.

The dual winner uses an impressive array of energy efficient and sustainable technologies, making it the first structure of its kind of Canada. Partners Lafarge North America Inc. and Stantec Inc. designed the building to serve as a model for future sustainable housing development. The project’s main goal was to be a net-zero structure — meaning it will create enough energy to cancel the amount of money needed to heat, cool and power the building. Both solar and geothermal energy will play a role.