Stunning Craftsman Style Passive House
2014 Hartford Courant
Sept 2014 New Haven Living
Building this passive house was an extraordinary experience that left us even more inspired by what is possible; not just in terms of building a home that uses substantially less energy but also in creating a home that is exceptionally more comfortable and healthier, or in a word – “livable”
And it’s not just us who were impressed. The Home Builders Association of Connecticut selected this Passive House in 2015 as the ‘Best Green Energy Efficient Custom Home’ in the state!
This project came to us through an architect who specializes in passive house design, Philippe Campus. He was working with clients who owned a unique property overlooking protected tidal marshes on the Guilford coastline where they wanted to build a 4-bedroom home that took advantage of the spectacular views and featured a traditional exterior with more informal interior spaces featuring “craftsman style” design inspired accents.
They were also interested in building a very low energy house and made the decision to build a passive house that also had net zero energy potential during the design process after seeing the architect’s model of the energy performance and long term cost savings analysis of the home.
- The passive house standard, designed to reduce the annual energy consumption of a home by better than 80% compared with a conventionally built house, has a proven track record in Europe where there are over 30,000 buildings and homes built to this standard.
- With a geothermal heating & cooling system and solar panel array, this passive house will also produce energy from renewable sources which means that the home has the potential to produce as much energy as it consumes. Thus, in addition to being a passive house, it’s also a net zero or zero-energy home.
Beyond this impressive performance, a passive house is also designed to be:
- Healthier due to a fresh air exchange and ventilation system that continuously supplies prime living spaces and bedroom with fresh, clean, dust and pollen-free air while extracting moist, odor laden air from kitchens and bathrooms. As a result, the quality of the air is superior throughout the entire home.
- More comfortable since temperatures are consistent throughout, there are no cold/hot spots or drafts and outdoor noise is minimal so indoor spaces are serene.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS:
- Foyer with grand arch opening & custom mission-style oak staircase with newel posts, handrail & stair treads in mahogany stain contrasted with wrought iron balusters
- Brookhaven shaker-style cherry w/natural stain kitchen cabinets accented by Sabon soapstone countertops & Mombasa granite on Island
- Bridgeport shaker-style master bath maple vanity and cabinets w/candlelight stain
- His & Hers vessel sinks accented by Sabon soapstone countertops
- Victoria and Albert Almalfi volcanic limestone slipper style bathtub
- 1st Fl. dual-purpose study & guestroom with built-in murphy bed
- Room is soundproofed with Roxul mineral wood insulation
- Mudroom with custom designed dog-washing station (large dog!)
- “3-Season Plus” atrium-style Conservatory with custom-built potting bench
- Woodmore painted cabinet w/white Piracema granite countertop and copper farmhouse style sink w/wall-mounted pot-filler accented by drystacked stone veneer backsplash, which also runs the length of the entire wall.
- Though outside of the passive house thermal envelope, the conservatory is reached via a certified PH French door from the main house, right off the kitchen.
- To maximize comfort thru much of the year as possible, the concrete slab is insulated and high performance windows were used. There is a propane gas heater for ancillary heat as needed.
- Expansive outdoor bluestone patio w/adjoining gas-fire pit overlooking tidal marsh
The results speak for themselves! As the 2015 Best Green Energy Efficient Home in Ct., this home is a work of art that reflects beauty thru every facet: design, craftsmanship, scenic views, and “behind the walls” construction which enables substantial energy savings, supreme comfort and healthier air.
