Brooklyn Heights stands as one of New York City’s most cherished historic districts, where tree-lined streets and 19th-century architecture create a neighborhood rich in character. When homeowners Victor and Cara purchased an aging carriage house in this coveted area, they faced a familiar dilemma: how to restore the property’s historic charm while making it healthy, […]
Deep energy retrofits represent one of the most effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions from existing building stock, yet cost-effective implementation remains a significant challenge. The Passive House Institute recognized this difficulty by creating EnerPHit certification specifically for phased retrofit projects. In response, NYSERDA has been pioneering industrialized retrofit approaches modeled on the Dutch Energiesprong
Massachusetts has emerged as a national leader in Passive House design and construction, driven by two state-level incentive programs that reshaped the economics of high-performance multifamily building. Since 2018, targeted grants from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and performance-based incentives from Mass Save have spurred developers to embrace Passive House certification for affordable and market-rate
The drive toward sustainable construction has pushed architects and engineers to rethink traditional mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Rather than treating building services as an afterthought, forward-looking project teams are embedding circular economy principles directly into MEP design from the earliest planning stages. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also lowers operational
The connection between housing quality and human health has never been more apparent. Across the United States, builders and developers are beginning to recognize that a building can do far more than provide shelter. It can actively support physical wellness, mental recovery, and community stability. One of the most compelling examples of this shift is
As people spend more time indoors than ever before, the quality of the air inside homes has become a pressing health concern. The Passive House standard, widely recognized for its exceptional energy efficiency, was actually conceived from the outset with occupant comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) as foundational requirements. Unlike conventional construction where ventilation
Building two Passive House certified mixed-use developments at the same time is no small feat. Yet that is exactly what AJ Patton, Chairman and CEO of 548 Enterprise, set out to accomplish in Chicago. His firm, a unified real estate and investment social impact company, is developing what will become two of the Midwest’s largest
Renovating a century-old home often reveals construction methods that would surprise modern builders. Before building codes standardized materials and techniques, home builders relied on local traditions and personal experience. The result is a tapestry of unusual framing details, mixed materials, and hidden surprises that complicate insulation upgrades. For homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency in
The way we cool and heat buildings is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven largely by the refrigerants that make HVAC systems work. In a discussion on the BS* + Beer show, GBA contributor Jon Harrod and Bryan Orr of HVAC School explored the complex world of refrigerants, covering everything from basic thermodynamics to the regulatory
Air has weight. This simple fact is the foundation of one of the most dramatic physics demonstrations in building science: the ol’ beer can pressure crunch. A steel can, sturdy enough to hold pressurized beverages, can be crushed in seconds by manipulating the air pressure inside it. What makes this demonstration compelling for builders is
