Recently we checked in with architect (and Hot Seat interviewee!) Julie Torres Moskovitz on her firm’s Passive House project at 23 Park Place. For those confused about what a passive house is, she explains: “The Passive House standard focuses on 5 main strategies: 1. Insulate strategically; 2. Stop thermal bridges; 3. Achieve air tightness; 4. Install high-performing windows for thermal comfort; and 5. Reduce mechanical systems with heat recovery ventilation.” 23 Park Place, dubbed the “Tighthouse,” just met the air tightness requirement of a passive house, actually reaching a record “air tightness” level for any NYC passive house. (A certified passive house is 15 times tighter than current building norms.) Interior work on the project isn’t done yet, but Julie says: “We feel good about the air tightness result we just received because it implies that the existing building stock in urban settings can achieve high energy performance results with some investment and care.” Click through for pictures of the project.
Out From Under Scaffolding: 23 Park Place Passive House [Brownstoner]
Slope Passive House in the Works? [Brownstoner] GMAP

Skylight, “air tight” detail

Facade and drainage board

Window header detailing

Window tape and membrane


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. I do have one question though: How to cool the upper floor in the summer? If you add HVAC, you increase your energy use. Our entire house (1890s) is one system for heating and cooling. The floors, doors, windows, attic, dirt floor basement are all related in a passive cooling system.

    • A passive house does in fact breath “allot”. There is an error ventilation system with efficient heat exchange that conditions the outside air as its brought in. ideally a passive house should have a constant supply of fresh air, it’s just you control where that air is coming from so that you can maintain your in door air temperature.

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