Brett Sichello founded NIDO Design in Kelowna in 2011 and has since established itself as a leader in the design of high performance homes and buildings. With an emphasis on incorporating Passive House principles into every project, regardless of budget, our goal is to provide the best possible long term value to our clients while creating spaces that inspire each and every day.
Design should not only inspire, it should perform.
Brett's technical foundation was established in rural Saskatchewan, where -40C winters exposed the limitations of conventional construction. While standard homes and buildings relied on large amounts of fuel to compensate for minimal insulation, it was clear that a more resilient and measured approach was required to meet the demands of regional climate zones.
Brett's path eventually led to a four year tenure as an instructor for Passive House Canada teaching across Western Canada. This is where deep and extensive knowledge of Passive House was formed as it required learning the finest of details, while taking the complex and making it easy to understand for new students looking to enhance their understanding of buildings as a sum of parts all working together harmoniously.
Most recently, Brett's experience culminated in the hands-on construction of his own passive house residence where his family resides and NIDO is based. The setting of the home is much like a National Park or the pages of National Geographic; the inspiration the location provides is nothing short of incredible. With a very ambitious goal and the willingness to fail, Brett intentionally tackled nearly every individual scope of construction. By combining an established knowledge base with extensive on-site experience, the process of building feels as though it provided an additional 20 years of practical design and construction knowledge in a condensed period of time. It is one thing to design a home for a client, it is another thing to be the client paying the bills.
NIDO intentionally bypasses trends to focus on quantifiable building physics and proven envelope science. The reality of the construction industry is that the necessary materials and products have existed to build high performance bulidings since the 1960s, but they are rarely compiled in a manner to meet the local climate, rather they are mostly constructed to Building Code minimums which all too often lead to high ongoing operating and maintenance costs. This is where NIDO sets itself apart, aesthetics are still the most important, but not if they sacrifice the occupants comfort, health, or wallet over the long term.
Ask yourself, why do homes and bulidings constructed in 2026 still use 2x6 walls when homes constructed in 1960's were constructed with 2x6 walls? With all of the advances in science in technology, how is it that the world of building design and construction still stuck in the 1960's?
We have always been selective with our engagements, choosing only projects that align with our core values. This commitment extends to the construction site, where we maintain a standard of uncompromising quality and oversight.
Rather than purusing industry awards or editorial publication, success is measured by client satisfaction, building durability, and ongoing operating costs.
The Passive House Trifecta
The true value of a NIDO home isn't just comfort, it is a tax-free financial advantage that outperforms traditional market investments.
1. High-Performance Envelope
By utilizing proven building physics, we decouple the home from the volatility of endlessly rising utility costs, creating permanent independence from energy inflation.
2. Renewable Energy Wealth
Integrating solar and electric mobility creates a closed-loop system. The energy harvested from the roof powers both the home and transit, effectively eliminating two of the largest monthly overhead costs.
3. The Mortgage Maximizer
By redirecting the savings from utility and fuel costs directly into the mortgage, homeowners generate a tax-free return on investment that far exceeds the stock market, resulting in massive long-term wealth accumulation.
Professional Designation
NIDO is a residential design practice specializing in high-performance and Passive House single-family residences. Brett Sichello is registered as an Applied Science Technologist with speciality in Building Engineering through the ASTTBC (Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC).
We are not a licensed architecture firm. Our scope includes multifamily designs but we are limited to buildings with no more than four attached dwelling units (fourplex); larger developments require the engagement of a licensed architect. On larger multifamily projects featured in the portfolio section, NIDO acted as a Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant or Energy/Building Envelope Consultant. For larger buildings, please refer to the AIBC's Does your Project Need an Architect?
Technical Proficiency
We offer specialized expertise in complex zoning, energy code compliance, and engineering coordination. Our focus remains on the "construction reality" of every project we design.