West Don Ravine Passive House
Tucked into a quiet north Toronto neighbourhood right next to the Don Valley ravine, the West Don Ravine Passive House is a personal passion project for architect Gregory Rubin. Designed for his own parents, this home marks a milestone for Poiesis Architecture, becoming Toronto’s first PHIUS Certified Passive House.
With over 15 years of experience in high-end residential and institutional design, Gregory Rubin, founder of Poiesis Architecture, had the full trust of his parents to create something special. They wanted to downsize for retirement but stay in the place they loved—so he reimagined their old three-story house as a modern, ultra-efficient bungalow. The 2013 ice storm left a lasting impact, making climate resilience a top priority for the new home.
A Shift Toward Passive House Design
At first, Passive House certification wasn’t the goal, but Rubin’s deep appreciation for sustainable design soon took the project in that direction. Passive House buildings cut heating and cooling energy use by up to 90%, making them some of the most energy-efficient structures in the world.
“Passive design assumes our future power sources will be electric and renewable,” says Rubin. “The first step is to super-insulate the building, reducing the need for complex mechanical systems.”
Designed for Connection—With Nature and Family
One of the most striking aspects of the home is its seamless connection to nature. The design ensures stunning ravine views from nearly every space, with outdoor terraces and gardens that slope gently towards the landscape. At the same time, the layout accommodates large family gatherings, with a ravine-level walkout that keeps entertaining easy and comfortable.
Environmental care was also a key focus—Poiesis replaced hardscapes with native plants, blending the home more naturally into the landscape and supporting local ecology.
Inside, the design emphasises natural materials like terracotta, limestone, and ash wood. The floor-to-ceiling glass wall on the north side brings in an abundance of light while keeping the home cozy and well-insulated.
Smart, Sustainable Choices
Working with Passive House principles meant tackling challenges like maintaining warmth despite a north-facing façade. The solution? Careful material selection and precision engineering allowed for a fully transparent glass wall without sacrificing energy efficiency.
To make the home future-ready, Poiesis also teamed up with experts in Passive House HVAC systems and smart automation. Features like automated shading and lighting help create a dynamic connection with nature, enhancing comfort and efficiency.
“Passive House isn’t just about the latest tech. It’s about building durable, resilient, well-insulated homes that drastically cut energy demands.” says Rubin.
A Learning Journey
Construction began just as COVID-19 shut everything down in 2020. Rather than sitting idle, Rubin dove into learning about native plants and ravine restoration, even earning a pollinator steward certification. This passion led to a community-driven ravine stewardship programme, helping neighbours better understand and care for the unique landscape around them.
“This project reshaped my view of what our firm can offer,” Rubin reflects. “It’s not just about architecture—it’s about being stewards of the land we build on.”
