North Jersey Passive House

This Phius-certified house, accompanied by an adjacent pool house/barn, is situated on a sloping site on a former horse farm in north-central New Jersey. The project features factory-built vapor open panelized walls and roofs utilizing wood fiber insulation.

BluPath was the Passive House Consultant and provided architectural support and coordination.

Design & Construction team

Architect: Appel Design Group PA Architects, Lawrence Weintraub AIA, Project Manager

Architectural Support and Passive House Consulting: Paul Thompson CPHC+ Laura Blau CPHC, BluPath Design

CPHC / Energy Modeler: Ilka Cassidy CPHC, Holzraum Systems

QA/QC Rater: Ben Cohen, Phius  Rater & Verifier, ReVireo

General Contractor / Builder: Steve Vanadia, Vanco Construction Inc.

Air Sealing Specialist: Ken Sybel, Supervisor, Vanco Construction Inc.

Mechanical Designer: Chris Serik, Serik Mechanical

HVAC & Plumbing: Schaibles Plumbing and Heating

HVAC & ERV Installation: Mark Logan, Logan Mechanical

Enclosure System & Timber Frame Design, Integrated DfMA (Holzraum XP20 Assemblies): Steve Hessler, Holzraum Systems 

Panelized Wall and Roof Fabrication and Installation: New Energy Works

Timberframe Fabrication and Installation (Pool House / Barn): New Energy Works

Building Information

iCFA = 10,057.5 sf

Enclosure Area = 21,540 sf

Volume = 142,742 cf

Final Airtightness = 1,399 CFM50 = .59ACH50

Basement Slab = R-30 6” XPS Underslab

Floor Above Garage = R-43.8 Wood Fiber Board + Wood Fiber Fill

Panelized Wall = R-37.2 Wood Fiber Board + Wood Fiber Fill

Basement Walls = R-45.7 ICF + Cavity Insulation

Panelized Roof = R-53.6 Wood Fiber Board + Wood Fiber Fill

Windows & Doors = U-0.13 (= R-7.7) Zola Windows w/ Triple Pane Glazing

Ventilation = Zehnder America ComfoAir ERV, Fantech Range MUAS

Heating & Cooling = Mitsubishi Minisplit HVAC

Dehumidification = Honeywell TrueDRY

Domestic Hot Water = Sanden Eco2 Heat Pump