We built this all-electric passive house for a family who lost their home in the Marshall Fire in Louisville, CO. Designed by Shape Architecture, the home incorporates active and passive solar, locally manufactured Alpen triple-pane windows, southern views, an airtight envelope, 12” double stud walls filled with carbon sequestering cellulose, hemp, and sheep wool insulation, and an advanced energy recovery ventilation system to meet passive house standards.
A light-filled main living area opens out onto a garage rooftop patio that connects the spaces on the 2nd floor to the secluded rear yard. A trellis provides shade and protection from weather. The design maximizes space and privacy with lofts in the high point of the roof gable in kids’ rooms as well as a secret lab and guest suite/home offices in the lower level. The homeowners also included significant food and medicinal plant producing gardens in both the front and rear yards, which also incorporate water-wise design and native plant species.
The owners have been amazing about sharing their experiences. The first part of a series on passive house rebuilds at Rocky Mountain PBS, features this family! Denver’s Channel 7 News also did a piece on the house right before it was completed.
Architect:
Structural Engineering:
I.M. Smith Sustainable Structural Engineering
Passive House Consultant:
Passive House Certifier:
