Passive House Single Family Home Renovation - Chicago

FGA, 2022

This renovation of a 100-year-old wood frame worker’s cottage includes the addition of 4” continuous insulation to the exterior. The home’s existing structure would now be fully encased in insulation without typical thermal bridge losses at the floor to wall juncture. On the facade, Sto EIFS Stucco, exposed blonde wood soffits, and dark green metal trim create a modern take on the arts and crafts look. Utilizing an ERV for whole home ventilation, airtight sealing, and continuous insulation at walls and roofs put us in a good position for Passive House Certification and Dept. of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home certification; this includes a solar PV rough in for future roof panels. The inside of the home is focused on increased storage for this family of 4. We were inspired by the original built ins and sought to add complementary wood built ins for seating and storage. The central organizing design element is an elegant open wood stair and metal mesh stair wrapped around an open light well to share natural light from the 2nd Floor down to the finished basement. The home is currently wrapping up schematic design with permit and construction to begin in Fall/Winter 2022.