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CT Passive House Renovation
Case Study
INSULATION - Energy Modelling led us to double stud walls with 10” thickness filled with mineral wool batts, in addition to 3” of continuous Comfortboard insulation; our typical wall assembly. Wall: R-52. The existing 2x12 roof was insulated with 6.5” of Demilec Heatlock Closed Cell Spray Foam and 4 3/4” of Dense Pack Cellulose. Roof 1: R-55. The new Roof was insulated with 18” of dense pack cellulose. Roof 2: R67. The basement walls was insulated with a combination Demilec Heatlock Closed Cell Spray Foam. 4” of EPS insulation board were placed over the existing slab-on-grade. Basement: R-25
ENVELOPE - A continuous air barrier, insulated window bucks and triple-pane European windows complete the energy efficient envelope.
BLOWER DOOR TEST - 0.6 ACH @ 50pa
ENERGY - The house is 100% electric (except for the gas stove in the kitchen and one gas fireplace.)
HVAC - Mitsubishi Heat Pumps heating and cooling, Sanden heat pump water heater, Zehnder ERVs and Make up air system comprise the houses mechanical systems.
SOLAR - Solar panels on the roof generate much of the home’s power needs.
Shade of Green
AIA CT Sustainable Architecture Award 2022
Our clients asked us to take an existing 1930s house in Greenwich, CT, and transform it into a modern oasis. The goals for this project were not only to modernize a second home and haven for the young New York City family, but to create a gathering and entertainment place for friends, family, and kids. These desires - along with the clients’ sophisticated modern aesthetic - influenced the design significantly and led us, as architects, toward ‘breaking open’ the existing traditional structure to reveal spaces that are open, light-filled, and playful.
The clients also wanted to turn their old leaky home into an energy efficient, sustainable one – so, the home was built to Passive House standards.
With sustainability in mind, we gave ourselves the challenge of keeping as much of the existing house as possible. We retained the original footprint, exterior walls, and most window openings, but by reallocating space and rebuilding part of the third-floor roof with an efficient scissor truss, we managed to gain 800 sf of usable living space for a fun-filled media room and imaginative play room.
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Scandinavia in Stamford
Case Study
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HERS Index 49
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Energy Star Windows
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Low-Maintenance Decking
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All FSC Lumber
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Now or Low VOC Paints
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High-Energy Fireplace Insert
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All Natural Finishes
We took cues from the family’s Scandinavian heritage and incorporated solid wood, natural light, clean lines, and bright, soothing colors to make this house feel like home. Built for a retired couple, the home was designed for aging-in-place and single-floor living, with the entire first floor ADA accessible. The upstairs rooms accommodate visiting children and grand-children, with plenty of bright open spaces. Patios, covered porches, and expansive windows wrap around the house, allowing everyone to enjoy the sea breezes on sunny days, or take in the waterfront view from the comfort of the sunroom or living room when the weather isn’t as warm.
Shade of Green
Double Carriage House Addition
Case Study
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All FSC lumber
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No VOC paints
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High efficiency windows
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Extensive insulation throughout
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All natural materials and finishes
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100% electric for solar readiness
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Natural and sustainable building materials
This carriage house was built to complement an existing historic carriage house that had been converted into a home in the 1960s. The goal with the new carriage house was to provide a garage, add a guest space, add to the charming character of the property, and create a buffer between the existing house and the main road. Trillium Architects drafted a unique solution: a two-car garage bisected by a ‘dog trot’ barrel-vaulted walkway. The placement of the garage creates not only a buffer to the busy main road, but also a quiet garden courtyard between it and the main house. The pitched gable roofs and the board-and-batten siding match the original house, extending the charming aesthetic towards the front of the property.
Shade of Green
Case Study
Westport Sustainable Renovation
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5.5 kW solar PV array
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Whole-house water filtration system
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Energy Star windows
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New insualtion
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FSC-certified lumber
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No or low VOC paints
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Floors made from locally-sourced river rock
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High-efficiency fireplace inserts
A drafty and cold Arts and Crafts style, 1930s home needed a renovation and addition, plus an increase in energy-efficiency. We added a solar array, Energy Star windows, and insulation while also creating more space with the 800 sf addition and better flow with the 1,000 sf renovated area. We stayed true to the house's original design which mixes curved lines with triangular gables, and shingles with stone, for an asymmetrical composition that engages the eye.
Shade of Green
Case Study
Stamford on the Water
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Deep Energy Retrofit
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New Insulation throughout
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Triple-pane windows
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All FSC lumber
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No or low VOC paint
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Heat pump air conditioning
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All natural finishes
Sophisticated empty nesters enlisted us to transform their 1950s French country style house into a home that better matched their modern design sensibilities. White shiplap vaulted ceilings draw the eyes towards gorgeous views of the harbor available from nearly every room. The music room, with its steep pyramid-shaped roof and arched dormers, is one of the family's favorite additions to the house. What makes it so special is the magical way that the room's curves and angles accentuate sunlight pouring in through the arched windows. The uniquely shaped space also has wonderful acoustics, ideal for enjoying melodies played on the grand piano.
Shade of Green
Case Study
Westport Farmhouse
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HERS Index 20
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46-panel 14Kw kW solar PV array
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Geothermal Heating and Cooling
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High-performance building envelope
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Energy Star home
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Natural and sustainable building materials
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Configured for optimal natural light
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Built on compact footprint
Built to conform to LEED Gold standards, this 2,700 sf house in Westport, CT, was featured on the 2014 Green Homes Tour. The owners, a family with children, sought to create an energy-efficient, right-sized home that met their needs on a budget. The design’s farmhouse-like simplicity and clarity of line conceals a series of systems, which make the house as responsive to the environment as is it is respectful of its New England setting.
Shade of Green
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