Rutherford Cottage

Rutherford Cottage, built by Alberta’s first premier in 1908, received a deep retrofit in 2023 that preserved its historic charm while bringing the building up to net-zero standards.

Building Type Single-Family One and a Half Stories Location Banff, AB
Year Built 1908 Foundation Type Slab-on-Grade
Structure Type Wood-Framed Climate Zone 7a
Heating Degree Days 5500 Retrofit Status Complete
Year Completed 2023 Retrofit Phasing No
Geometry Changed Yes

Project Team

Project Priorities

  • Achieve Net Zero or Net Zero Ready
  • Other

Project Goals

In addition to improving the cottage’s energy efficiency and preserving its historical value, the Rutherford Cottage project included a modern addition.

Upgrades

  • Refitted and resealed original windows
  • New double-glazed storm windows
  • New high-performing windows
  • Restored original cedar siding
  • Interior airtightness control layer
  • Increased insulation to R25

Project Description

The Rutherford Cottage, built in 1908 for Alberta’s first premier, Alexander Rutherford, underwent a remarkable transformation in 2023 thanks to the Bowstrings Heritage Foundation and the organisation’s commitment to preserving the building’s heritage while making it energy efficient. Joel Piecowye and the team at Shugarman Architecture + Design designed a modern addition to complement the original structure. With the help of Peter Amerongen from Retrofit Canada, they devised a plan to make the cottage net zero while maintaining its historical integrity. The retrofit included the following:

  • Refitted and resealed original windows with new putty and weather stripping.
  • Installed new double-glazed storm windows for added performance.
  • Installed new windows on the main and second floors.
  • Painted and restored original cedar siding to preserve historical integrity.
  • Located new air tightness control layer on the inside due to crumbling lath and plaster walls, and to preserve the original aesthetic.
  • Increased wall thickness, filled cavity with dense-packed cellulose, and added air/vapour barrier to boost insulation to R25.
  • Stabilized dug-out foundation with new insulated retaining walls and floor slab.
  • Insulated original foundation and exposed earth with 6” low-environmental-impact foam.

The gasline was disconnected in winter 2023.

The cottage now meets the [CHBA Net Zero standard](https://www.chba.ca/net-zero/ for new homes gets all of its heat from air-source heat pumps.

Before & After

General

Envelope

Mechanical & Electrical

Annual Energy Usage

Technical Documents

Drawings or Details

Photos