Todd Talbot, star of W Network’s “Love it or List it Vancouver”, debuts his new series, “Todd Talbot Builds: Passive House Project”, premiering October 8 on Cottage Life.
The show highlights the urgent need for more sustainable and resilient homes to combat the climate crisis amid Canada’s devastating wildfires. It provides an intimate look at the highs and lows of Todd Talbot’s construction journey as he and his wife, actor Rabecca Talbot, set out to build a net-zero, passive house A-frame on the picturesque Okanagan Lake just outside Kelowna, British Columbia.
Image courtesy of Cottage Life
From Realtor to Sustainable Builder
In this series, Todd Talbot steps away from his role as a realtor on “Love it or List it Vancouver” to showcase his extensive knowledge of the construction industry. He takes on multiple roles, including project manager, financier, associate designer, estimator, and head of the construction team for this cabin. Architects, engineers, and environmental experts join Talbot in building his future home. The series showcases cutting-edge sustainable building techniques and explores the science behind constructing homes with a minimal ecological footprint.
The Inspiring Journey of the Project
Talbot’s passive house made international headlines during the summer of 2023, which marked B.C.’s worst wildfire season on record. The fires forced Todd, Rabecca, and their children to evacuate, halting production of the series. Nearly all elements of the passive house were completed, except for the stone wool insulation and non-combustible cladding on the underside of the structure. When Todd and Rabecca were allowed back a month later to assess the damage, the pile of insulation was the only thing that remained intact. From its inspiring inception to its tragic conclusion, the series documents Talbot’s ambitious home project, including the moment he discovered through CNN that his family’s passive house had been lost to the blaze.
The Production Team Behind the Camera
“Todd Talbot Builds: Passive House Project” is produced by Infinity Films. Shel Piercy and Todd Talbot serve as producers, with Piercy directing. Theresa Piercy is the series producer, supported by a team of cinematographers documenting the incredible build over three years of filming. Judd Bakken and Robert Lawrenson are the editors, with original music by Jeff Griffiths and Chris King.
Tune in to this eight-part series starting October 8 at 8pm PST on Cottage Life.
