Gehrung+Graham is an architecture and consulting firm based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that has built its practice around a compelling mission: deliver buildings that produce more energy than they consume. The firm specializes in creating high-performance architecture measured by energy efficiency, client satisfaction, and excellence in design. By integrating certified Passive House methods into both new construction and renovation projects, the team consistently achieves net-zero and net-plus energy performance. Their work demonstrates that sustainable building does not have to sacrifice beauty, comfort, or durability.
The Firm Behind Energy Positive Architecture
Gehrung+Graham operates out of Charlottesville, Virginia, where Barbara Gehrung and Mark Graham lead a studio focused on what they call energy positive architecture. Every project begins with a holistic vision of sustainability that integrates peak performance with a high standard of health and comfort and an ethic of environmental responsibility. The firm’s portfolio spans custom residential homes, small-scale commercial work, and Passive House consulting for organizations and individual homeowners. Their active Instagram feed and energy positive architecture website showcase completed projects and ongoing work.
The firm holds Phius certification, which means their designs meet the rigorous Passive House Institute US standards for energy performance, air tightness, and indoor air quality. They offer two core services:
- Architecture full-service design for new construction and major renovations, from initial concept through construction administration
- Consulting specialized Passive House advisory services for clients who want to bring energy performance expertise into their own projects
This dual structure allows Gehrung+Graham to serve both as the lead architect on integrated projects and as a consulting partner on larger developments where another firm handles the primary architectural role. Their work appears on the Passive House Accelerator partner directory, where they are listed alongside other vetted professionals in the high-performance building industry.
Passive House Consulting for New Construction and Renovations
The firm’s consulting practice is built around the Phius certification framework, which requires rigorous modeling, careful detailing, and third-party verification. Gehrung+Graham guides clients through every step of this process, from early feasibility assessments to final certification. Their consulting projects include both ground-up buildings and deep energy retrofits of existing structures. Listeners can hear Graham Wright discuss these exact challenges on The Retrofit Podcast Episode 5 Graham Wright, which explores the practical realities of upgrading older homes to passive house performance levels.
Key aspects of their Passive House consulting include:
- Energy modeling using PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) to predict heating and cooling loads before construction begins
- Envelope detailing specifying continuous insulation, triple-glazed windows, and airtight membranes that meet the 0.6 ACH50 threshold
- Mechanical system design selecting energy recovery ventilators, heat pumps, and solar thermal systems sized for the reduced loads
- Quality assurance on-site blower door testing, thermal imaging surveys, and construction phase inspections to verify that the design intent is realized
For renovation projects, the consulting scope often includes a detailed condition assessment of the existing building fabric. The team identifies which interventions will deliver the greatest energy savings relative to cost and disruption, then develops a staged retrofit plan that residents can execute over time without vacating the home.
A Structured Architectural Process from Concept to Completion
Gehrung+Graham follows a seven-phase architectural process that keeps every project on track from initial idea to final occupancy. Each phase builds on the work of the previous one, with clear deliverables and decision points for the client.
The process begins with a Pre-Design phase where the team gathers site data, reviews zoning requirements, and discusses the client’s goals and budget. This is followed by a Feasibility Study that tests whether the program can realistically be built on the site within the available budget. For larger properties or phased developments, a Master Planning step establishes the long-term vision for the site before detailed design work begins.
During Schematic Design, the firm produces floor plans, elevations, and early energy models that show how the building form will affect its thermal performance. The Design Development phase refines these drawings with specific material selections, window schedules, and mechanical system layouts. In the Construction Documents phase, every detail is drawn and specified so that contractors can price and build the project accurately. Finally, Construction Administration keeps the architect involved during the build, reviewing submittals, answering field questions, and conducting site visits to ensure the work matches the design.
| Phase | Key Activities | Energy Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Design | Site analysis, goal setting, budget | Solar orientation, microclimate |
| Feasibility Study | Program testing, cost estimating | Preliminary energy targets |
| Schematic Design | Floor plans, massing models | PHPP modeling begins |
| Design Development | Material selection, system design | Envelope specs, window U-values |
| Construction Documents | Detailed drawings, specifications | Airtightness details, thermal bridges |
| Construction Admin | Site visits, submittal review | Blower door tests, QA inspections |
Each phase includes energy performance checkpoints so that sustainability goals remain central from the first sketch through the final walkthrough. This structured approach prevents last-minute compromises that could undermine the building’s energy performance.
Signature Projects in Custom Residential and Commercial Work
The Gehrung+Graham portfolio demonstrates the range of building types and scales that can benefit from passive house principles. Their custom homes include the Batesville Net-Zero Residence, a ground-up new construction project that achieves net-zero energy use through a combination of a super-insulated envelope, high-performance glazing, and on-site renewable energy generation. The home serves as a demonstration that net-zero living is achievable within a conventional budget and aesthetic.
The Foal House and Studio renovation is another standout project. The team transformed an existing structure into a high-performance living and workspace by upgrading the building envelope, replacing outdated mechanical systems, and adding solar panels. The project shows that deep energy retrofits can breathe new life into older buildings while dramatically reducing their operational carbon footprint. Readers interested in similar transformations can explore the Foal House project details on the firm’s portfolio page.
Other notable projects include the Downtown Carriage House, a compact urban infill project that maximizes energy efficiency on a constrained site, and the West Virginia Net-Zero Home, which adapts passive house principles to a colder climate with more challenging heating loads. On the commercial side, Ballhalla and the Langenberg Restaurant demonstrate that energy positive design can be applied to gathering spaces and food service buildings where ventilation and comfort demands are higher than in typical residential projects.
The firm also participated in the Solar Decathlon 2007, a U.S. Department of Energy competition that challenged collegiate teams to design and build solar-powered homes. Barbara Gehrung was involved in this effort, bringing lessons from the competition into the firm’s professional practice. The competition’s legacy continues through the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon program, which remains an important proving ground for high-performance building innovation.
Why Passive House Retrofits Matter for Existing Homes
While new construction offers a blank slate for energy positive design, the vast majority of buildings that will exist in 2050 are already standing today. Gehrung+Graham addresses this reality through their Passive House retrofit practice, which adapts the rigorous Phius certification standards to existing buildings. Retrofits present constraints that new construction does not an existing foundation, an established footprint, and often a historic or neighborhood context that limits exterior changes. The Passive House Accelerator article library contains numerous case studies covering similar retrofit challenges and solutions.
The firm approaches retrofits with a pragmatic methodology. First they conduct an energy audit that includes blower door testing, infrared scanning, and a review of utility bills to establish a baseline. Then they identify the most impactful interventions, which typically fall into three categories:
- Envelope upgrades adding exterior insulation, replacing windows with triple-glazed units, and sealing air leaks at rim joists, penetrations, and attic hatches
- Mechanical replacement swapping outdated furnaces and air conditioners for heat pumps and energy recovery ventilators sized for the reduced loads of the tightened envelope
- Renewable integration installing photovoltaic panels on suitable roof areas and, where applicable, solar thermal systems for domestic hot water
Phius offers a dedicated certification pathway for retrofits called Phius REVIVE, which Gehrung+Graham can guide clients through. This standard recognizes that existing buildings cannot always meet the same airtightness and insulation thresholds as new construction, so it sets performance targets that are ambitious but achievable for older structures. The result is a home that uses 60 to 80 percent less energy for heating and cooling than it did before the retrofit, with improved indoor air quality and comfort year-round.
The Environmental and Health Benefits of Holistic Sustainability
Gehrung+Graham views sustainability as a holistic goal, not a checkbox of isolated green features. Their designs integrate peak energy performance with a high standard of health and comfort and an explicit commitment to environmental responsibility. This means every material selection, window placement, and mechanical choice is evaluated not only for its energy impact but also for its effect on the people who will live and work inside the building. The firm’s sustainability philosophy and approach informs every stage of the design process.
Health benefits of passive house design are well documented. Continuous mechanical ventilation with energy recovery ensures a steady supply of filtered fresh air, reducing indoor pollutants, allergens, and carbon dioxide buildup. The airtight envelope prevents drafts and cold spots, eliminating the temperature swings that plague conventionally built homes. Triple-glazed windows and heavy insulation also reduce noise infiltration, creating quieter indoor environments that support better sleep and concentration.
From an environmental standpoint, the firm’s projects address both operational carbon and embodied carbon. Operational carbon the emissions from heating, cooling, and powering the building is slashed by the passive house envelope and efficient mechanical systems. Embodied carbon the emissions released during the extraction, manufacturing, and transport of building materials is managed through thoughtful material selection. The firm prioritizes locally sourced materials, low-carbon alternatives such as wood fiber insulation and cellulose, and durable finishes that reduce the frequency of replacement cycles.
The firm’s tagline is about creating sustainable relationships with people and place. This reflects a design philosophy that extends beyond the building itself to consider the community and ecosystem it belongs to. By demonstrating that energy positive architecture is achievable, comfortable, and beautiful, Gehrung+Graham shows that the building sector can be part of the climate solution rather than a driver of the problem.