BMO Net-Zero Branch

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) Fischer-Hallman branch in Kitchener, Ontario is the bank's first net-zero energy retail branch in Canada and is designed to meet both Passive House Classic and Canada Green Building Council Zero Carbon Building – Design certification standards. 

Developed as a prototype for future low-carbon branches, the 5,000 sq. ft. building demonstrates how prefabricated mass timber can help commercial clients reduce embodied carbon while achieving exceptional energy performance. 

Mass Timber Solution
The project's structure is made up of cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall and roof panels and exposed Glulam columns and beams. The mass timber structure significantly reduced embodied carbon while creating a warm, inviting interior that celebrates exposed wood.

Prefabrication was central to the project's success. CLT wall panels arrived on site with vapour barriers pre-installed, enabling rapid enclosure while supporting the highly airtight envelope required for Passive House certification. 

The CLT panels also served as the substrate for the continuous airtight membrane, helping the building achieve an air leakage target of less than 0.6 air changes per hour. Early coordination between Element5 and the design team ensured the prefabricated components integrated seamlessly with the building's demanding performance requirements. 

A Prototype for Future Low-Carbon Construction
As a standardized retail building, the project demonstrates how mass timber can be replicated across a portfolio of buildings. 

By combining off-site manufacturing with a repeatable structural system, the branch provides a model for delivering future commercial buildings faster, with lower embodied carbon, reduced construction waste and consistently high quality. 

Together with rooftop solar, a high-performance envelope and all-electric building systems, the project establishes a new benchmark for sustainable retail construction in Canada.