Lexington Pkwy
Passive House Plus

The first certified Passive House Plus in Saint Paul comes in bright colors and with a sweeping view.

 

In 2011, our Clients approached us with the idea to build a new Passive House home on their lot in the Como neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Overlooking Como Park, the property offers sweeping views, which is extremely unique for an urban setting.

Fast forward to 2016 when planning for St. Paul’s first certified Passive House started in earnest. Completed in 2020, this one of a kind home offers performance, resilience, accessibility and style without a carbon footprint.

Project Showcase

On May 5, 2021, TE Studio principal Tim Eian gave a virtual tour of the project at the weekly Passive House Accelerator event. Learn about the architecture and design, as well as construction from footing to roof including the mechanical systems.

 

Passive House Accelerator Talk May 5, 2021

First Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Our Clients’ wish list called for a 4-bedroom, 2-bath layout without basement and with a strong emphasis on aging-in-place. Level ground access became paramount; as did the inclusion of an elevator to ensure usability of both floors over time.

One of the key features on site is an uninterrupted view of the southwest—overlooking Como Golf Course and Park. The site is elevated over Lexington Parkway, enabling sweeping views out the south and west facing windows and the opportunity to reap solar heat gains at the same time. The living space is essentially surrounded by glass—making strong connections with the outdoors. Ornilux bird-safety glazing is used to ensure that the house plays nice with the natural habitat.

Covered entries and a covered south patio offer sheltered exterior spaces and ground-level access to and from the home and garage. The underside of the canopy roofs is clad in plywood, as is the ceiling of the dining area—bracketing indoor and outdoor spaces and offering material continuity from inside to outside.

The house layout is simple and intuitive with public spaces on the main level, and private spaces on the second floor. The front entry and hallways connect to a side entry and mudroom, which doubles as a project room for the Clients’ hobbies and passions. The kitchen is located in its own room with a large passthrough to both the main entry and living room. This enables access when desired, and separation when needed. A guest bath and bedroom, which also serves as an away-space or future caregiver accommodations, complete the first-floor layout.

Second Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

On second floor, one is greeted by a generous commons area with picture window at the top of the stairs. From there, the plan offers individual office spaces for each of the Clients, as well as access to the master suite, which includes a bedroom with sweeping views, a bath, walk-in closet and dedicated laundry space. An outdoor balcony is located adjacent to both the master suite and commons area, offering sweeping views of the Como golf course area and beyond.

Construction Tour

Enjoy a talk by TE Studio principal Tim Eian recorded on December 15, 2018.

 

Construction Tour December 15, 2018

Happy Hour

Following on the heels of the presentation about the project on May 5, 2021, TE Studio principal Tim Eian stayed on for about an hour to take questions and discuss more aspects of the project.

 

Global Passive House Happy Hour May 5, 2021

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Adaptability and Accessibility

The home is designed for the Clients to move through life changes and still enjoy self-determination, self-respect and quality of life by incorporating universal design features. Spaces are laid out for efficiency and workflow, a connection to nature from all vantage points, to minimize hazards, eliminate unnecessary complexity and to provide flexibility for future adjustments. Rigorous criteria were prioritized for results that reflect the Clients’ passions, personalities and intentional lifestyle.

Natural materials like cork, porcelain tile and linoleum are used on the main floor, while more tile and sheep’s wool carpet will be installed on second floor. Each provides non-slip surfaces, level transitions and comfort under foot. All paints are free of VOCs, woods free of added urea and formaldehyde. Lighting is planned for appropriate visibility and to support the circadian rhythm. Surfaces and objects are selected for adequate contrast, low glare and ergonomic shape. Other products were similarly scrutinized for earth and human impacts.

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Durability and Resilience

Designed with resilience, durability and low maintenance in mind, the home offers heavily-scrutinized materials and surfaces throughout. Each product was carefully selected to provide the Clients with a specific experience and performance. Their desire for exciting colors is vividly expressed by a selection of green and purple colors on the exterior, which are paired with natural wood tones of reclaimed, thermally modified Ash wood to echo flowering spring trees.

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Mechanicals

A Passive House-certified, balanced, whole-house heat-recovery ventilation system provides superior air quality all year-round with minimal energy expenditure.

Heating, cooling and dehumidification are provided by a cold-climate air-to-air heat pump system.

Domestic hot water is produced by an electric water heater, and incoming municipal water preheated with a wastewater heat recovery unit, which harvests warmth from the outgoing waste water to boost the temperature of water coming into the water heater. All waterlines are continuously insulated.

The energy consumed on site is generated by a grid-tied, ballasted PV system on the roof with a 10kWh battery.

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Certifications and Highlights

  • Certified Passive House Plus – Project ID 5759

  • HERS Index 8

  • Super-insulated, airtight building envelope (0.38 ACH50)

  • Passive House windows with triple-pane glazing, bird-safe glass and exterior motorized shading

  • Thermal bridge-free detailing and construction

  • Whole-house, balanced, enthalpy heat-recovery ventilation system

  • Electric cold-climate air-to-air heat pump system for heating and cooling

  • Electric hot water heating with wastewater heat-recovery and continuously insulated pipes

  • LED lighting throughout

  • 9.3 kWp solar photovoltaic system on roof; 10kWh battery; grid-tied

  • Vehicle charger ready garage

  • Accessible design and visitability, zero-step entries, elevator

  • Durable earth and people friendly and reclaimed materials throughout

  • Sustainable landscaping and extensive stormwater management with rain gardens and permeable driveway

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Project Team

  • Architecture: Tim Delhey Eian & Stephan Tanner, TE Studio

  • Interior Design and Accessibility: Slacter Design Studio

  • Lighting Design: Carol Chaffee and Associates

  • Structural Engineering: Mattson MacDonald Young

  • Renewable Energy Systems: Innovative Power Systems

  • Construction: Reuter-Walton Residential (now Streeter Custom Builder)

  • Certifications: Herz & Lang (PH), DPIS (HERS)

  • Project: 2012, 2016 – 2020

  • Photo credits:

    • Jeff Rutherford, Visual Brigade

    • Clients

    • TE Studio

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