PROJECT CO+OP : Citizen Driven Design

Fred Horch wrote about our Clay Brook Passive House after seeing it in person. The project is a living demonstration that ultra energy efficient, resilient, and healthy buildings can be built. They are readily attainable now that we have architects and builders that make Passive House their minimum standard. The cherry on top is that this design is relatively affordable. It came in under budget and cost significantly less than other houses of similar size that aren't anywhere near the performance of this Passive House. It's a win-win-win!

As the Passive House consultant for this project, we're chuffed to see it open for residents. So far, it's apparently the largest Hemp development in the country! The builder and architect designed an innovative tilt-up hempcrete panel that is much lighter than concrete, certainly more insulative, and best of all extremely carbon storing as opposed to the massive carbon emissions required to produce concrete. Hats off to you!

It's always a please collaborating with Taylor at BaseCamp Design Workshop, LLC! Working with colleagues throughout the industry to help create more a more sustainable built environment is core to our mission.

Some of Hans's former students from Sustainable Design Concepts at the University of Maine architecture school put together innovative ideas to address Portland's climate resiliency. Stop by the the Portland Public Library to check it out plus entries from Harvard, Cornell, Yale and others.

Join us later this month in Portland, Maine for the annual passivhausMAINE Forum. Along with the homeowner and builder, we will be discussing the innovative DC electrical, automation, and performance monitoring in use at the Clay Brook Passive House.

Warm summer days seem so far away. But, we're reminded by this photo a client sent us. Transforming existing buildings to meet their potential is core to sustainable design...and the results are beautiful! #peopletakecareofwhattheylove #sustainabledesign #renovation

We recently collaborated with Maine Passive House (MPH) on a project that used Glavel, generically known as "foam glass aggregate," to insulate underneath a new house. There's so much to love about a material that does two things at once. It provides the aggregate needed under the slab AND the needed insulation. That's serious efficiency, so it ended up costing less than using typical separate aggregate and insulation. And, it's better for the envrionment! Check out this deep dive into the benefits of foam glass aggregate written by none other than Katrina Belle of MPH.

Here's ultimate comfort year-round with passive house design: warm in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer, all while minimizing energy usage. It's the ideal solution for sustainable living in New England. #PassiveHouse #SustainableDesign #EnergyEfficiency Notice the amount of roof insulation and the use of foam glass aggregate insulation below the slab.

Our clients are proud of the project we made into a certified passive house. Their enthusiasm led to us capturing its essence through professional photography, highlighting the house's innovative features, cutting-edge design, and sustainable solutions. This building symbolizes our commitment to energy efficiency and modern living, and we are excited to share its unique qualities with the world.

Testing the airtightness of a building is now an essential task for new construction. Controlling the amount of air leaking between indoors and out has an outsized impact on both energy performance and indoor environmental quality. Here's Mike Browne of Advanced Building Analysis doing just that on our latest certified passive house project in Gorham, New Hampshire.