Event Description

NESEA's first Pro Tour in the Catskills will showcase a new construction single-family passive house with its first years’ of performance data.

The event wil start with time for networking before host DEMO Architects gives a presentation on the background of the project, including design and construction details of the building and how the structure, envelope, and mechanical systems have performed over the past 3 years. The owner/architect will be leading this presentation, describing the challenges encountered during construction, lessons learned, and the peculiarities of living in a Passive House.

After the opening presentation, attendees will break into small groups for a deep dive with additional members of the project team, who will talk about their specific contributions to the project as a whole. The day will then nd with a networking reception and chance for Q&A with the team.

This all-electric house serves as an example of panelized construction, featuring triple-glazed curtain wall, triple-glazed windows, ERV, heat pump, and induction cooking. The project did not use foam insulation. The walls are built as a panelized system, using 16" of dense pack cellulose installed entirely outboard of the structure. The exterior walls are finished in standing seam metal, making them maintenance-free and long-lasting.

The house has an ERV system that provides fresh air while reducing energy losses. The ERV has a post heater to supplement additional heat on cold winter days and help a more even distribution of heat throughout the house. Heating and cooling is achieved by a single, 9000Btu heat pump mini split.