The Wellington is the first Passive House-certified affordable housing project built in Atlantic Canada. Located in a historic corner of uptown Saint John, this six-story wood construction project is a mix of affordable and market rate units. This model’s social and economic benefits are leveraged on the premise that high energy savings through strict building design criteria can greatly reduce the cost of living. Together with staggered ‘gold’ window frames, a stone-clad podium level deviates from the typical foreboding box that is often associated with low-cost development, showcasing that sustainable design excellence and affordability are not mutually exclusive.