PERSPECTIVES

I recently read the article "Taking a Holistic Approach to Embodied Carbon," and it raised some valid concerns about the relationship between Passive House construction and embodied carbon. Fred Bernstein, the author, points out that with all the additional insulation needed in a Passive House, you can end up with higher embodied carbon than you would have in a standard structure of the same size.

While I completely agree that we need to consider the embodied carbon of our projects (and consider how we can reduce it), I still believe in the Passive House standard. The issue here is how you choose to go about meeting the certification standards. Building to Passive House standards without considering embodied carbon might well lead to more carbon overall, but if you can make more carbon-conscious choices, you should be able to reduce your embodied carbon while designing to Passive House standards.

The article makes an important point about the risks of focusing solely on operational energy and overlooking the environmental impact of materials. With our mechanical systems getting more efficient and our grid getting cleaner, the focus is shifting to the building’s envelope. We need to look for ways to use less material to begin with and choose lower carbon materials wherever we can. I believe we need to blend Passive House strategies with careful carbon analysis and thoughtful choices to reduce our carbon footprint. That's where we’re going to make a difference—it's not just about energy-efficient homes anymore; it's about creating spaces that work in harmony with the environment.

Furthermore, if we really want to reduce our carbon footprint, we need to adjust our zoning laws to allow for more density. While I understand the appeal of single family homes, they come with a bigger carbon price tag. Mid-rise construction makes significantly more efficient use of resources, and creates the density needed to support shops and services that would allow people to go without cars. It's a smart strategy with a two-fold impact. It's about bringing people closer together in structures that make better use of our resources.

To sum it up, the article has us thinking about embodied carbon in Passive House construction, and that's a good thing! It's a reminder to be mindful about our material choices. By blending passive house strategies with carbon-conscious material choices and forward-thinking urban planning, we're charting a course towards an architectural landscape that's comfortable for occupants and respectful of the planet. Instead of shying away from Passive House, let's use it as a catalyst for making informed decisions that benefit our planet and the people on it.

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RODE has been welcoming architecture and interior design students into our office as co-ops for almost a decade now, and we truly value each and every one of them. Our design process is purposefully set up such that ideas can come from anyone, at any time; our co-ops especially bring fresh, creative outlooks and inspiring ways of thinking about design. We're proud to be able to mentor the next generation of architects and interior designers, and we're equally proud to be mentored by that group - their curiosity and the questions they ask inspire us to be better designers every single day!

Camille Wimpe (left) and Rory O'Connor (right) in the RODE office.

It's always sad to say goodbye at the end of their stays, but exciting to see them head back to school and then on to their wonderful design careers. Two of our recent co-ops, Camille Wimpe and Rory O'Connor (both Northeastern '24 students), took the time to share their thoughts on the experience with us.

Why did you choose RODE for your co-op?

Rory O'Connor: I chose RODE because I got the impression that the people here really cared about working in/for their community. I had a great interview process and they made me feel super welcome and like the RODE team would be a great fit for me.

Camille Wimpe: I chose RODE because of the super friendly interview process and the insightful questions I was asked about my work and what kind of things I was interested in working on. My interests in community development, urban sites, and prioritizing local projects align with RODE's aspirations. I was also inspired by the collaborative feel of the office, having previously worked in an office where that was not a priority.

What was your favorite project/thing to work on?

RO: I loved getting to build the model for Eagle Rock, a planned Passive House neighborhood of 17 single-family homes on a rocky, wooded site, and then sitting in on the meeting to watch the client and architects use it to communicate their visions for the site.

CW: I really enjoyed working on 102 Temple St, a mass-timber, Passive House building in Worcester. I was part of the project team through the 50% and 100% Design Development set and felt that I truly learned a lot about the project, and about the more detailed aspects of buildings which we aren't as exposed to in school. I was able to work with the project architect and other designers on the team, and learned a lot from that collaboration.

What most surprised you about your RODE experience, or was the most different from what you expected?

RO: I started my co-op looking forward to learning Revit… but I think I’d rather stick to model making.

CW: I had always heard from classmates as well as other working professionals that drawing details is super tedious, and most people's least favorite part of the job, but since I had never really had the chance to work on them before, editing and drawing wall sections and casework details ended up being super satisfying to me. (I probably just haven't done it enough to get bored of it!)

How was working at RODE different from your previous co-op?

RO: I enjoyed getting to work with lots of different people at RODE rather than sticking with the same few people like at my first co-op.

CW: The biggest difference was definitely the office culture, the office I was previously at was a lot quieter (in part due to COVID and people working from home etc.). But another key difference I've found was the opportunity I had at RODE to work on multiple different project teams, and for multiple project managers. It was really interesting to learn more about how different design processes work and the influence that working with different people can have over a design.

What advice would you give to a future student looking for a co-op?

RO: I would recommend other students looking for co-ops to prioritize learning new skills over sticking with what you know and to ask lots of questions.

CW: I think asking what kind of projects the office is currently working on can be really helpful when choosing a firm, that way you can get a sneak peek of what you might work on and see if it's something that aligns with what you hope to do/learn more about during your co-op. It can be hard to predict what you'll be working on, but it'll give you an idea of what's going on more generally.

What was the most important thing you learned during this co-op?

CW: Honestly, I learned that the design process has a lot of twists and turns, with client meetings, developer driven demands, as well as ever changing energy and building codes. I find a lot of satisfaction in solving these complex puzzles of stakeholder interests, and hope that I am able to keep finding opportunities where I am exposed to all of the ins and outs of design.

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Brucewood Homes, designed in collaboration with Passive House Construction LLC, paves the way for RODE’s pipeline of sustainable development in New England

BOSTON, August 7, 2023 - RODE Architects, a Boston-based collaborative design and architecture firm, is proud to announce the completion of the first internationally certified Passive House single-family homes in the City of Boston. The Brucewood Homes project, a series of three single-family structures developed in collaboration with Passive House Construction LLC, reflects Passive House design techniques previously unproven in Boston along with sustainability-focused concepts that require minimal energy consumption and resilient construction.

“Brucewood Homes demonstrates our commitment to collaboration, craftsmanship, and pushing the boundaries to design buildings that address the issues of climate change,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE Architects. “This project celebrates what we believe in: that our work enhances a sense of place, and often the simplest forms can make the biggest statements. We’re now exploring ways to bring this more into the mainstream in Greater Boston and beyond, including single-family, multi-family and commercial developments.”  

RODE Architects and Passive House Construction worked within the constraints of Passive House techniques to create thoughtfully designed homes that incorporate the latest sustainability-centered advancements. The high demand for Brucewood Homes, with all three structures sold prior to completion and Net Zero/Net Positive ready at move-in, indicates increased market interest for super-efficient dwellings.

“In Brucewood Homes, we created houses with the highest levels of quality, performance and energy efficiency, bringing much-needed sustainable housing and introducing Passive House to Boston,” said Dmitry Baskin, CEO of Passive House Construction LLC. “This project shows that when developers and architects collaborate with a shared vision, the result of the partnership can be powerful, innovative and beautiful.”

Brucewood Homes, located in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, includes:

• Contemporary design that reflects its neighborhood context, including a clear-finished white cedar siding on the upper volume, and a painted siding made from materials recovered from manufacturing by-products on the lower volume.
• A slightly different angled ridge line for each house, which relates to Brucewood and to the adjacent VFW Parkway. Although the plans for the three homes are virtually identical, RODE sought to create a collection of siblings rather than twins, which is reflected in the roof lines.
• The homes were sited carefully to minimize the amount of rock ledge and mature trees that needed to be removed and maximize the solar gain through the full-height south-facing windows.
• Significant energy-saving concepts that are consistent with Passive House, including airtight and heavily-insulated walls that significantly limit energy usage for heating and cooling throughout the seasons.  
• Wood louvers that grow from the rhythm of the wood-plank upper façade and control the light entering the central living/dining space. The louvers also direct solar gain, reflect harsh summer sunlight to keep the interior cool, and admit lower winter sun to be held in the thermal mass of the house’s concrete slab.

“We see this success as a rewarding proof-point for the Passive House method,” said Mike DelleFave, associate at RODE Architects. “While sustainability has always been at the forefront of our approach to design, this project is a really unique and transformative application that has the ability to make an impact in our communities.”

Passive House certified homes receive third-party performance designation based on minimal energy use for heating and cooling systems; tight tolerances and resilient construction; excellent indoor air quality; and principles around net-zero energy standards and comfortable living. Passive House technology has increased in popularity in recent years, including expansion into multifamily housing and various commercial buildings.  Massachusetts has recently implemented building code changes that align them closer to the Passive House standard.

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Milewski, Elevate Communications, nmilewski@elevatecom.com

About RODE Architects

RODE is a Boston-based team of architects, designers, and urban planners who know that great design has the power to transform our environment. We have cultivated a network of driven people – employees, clients, builders, community members – who share this mission, and know that working collaboratively is the best way to achieve our goals. The breadth and depth of our collective capabilities enable us to apply our practice across an array of project types that includes mixed-use, hospitality, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Clients select RODE to drive the design process and ensure their vision is realized. For more information and to be inspired visit www.rodearchitects.com.

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We're proud to share that our project Brucewood Homes was featured in the Wall Street Journal. This set of three single-family homes are the first internationally certified Passive Houses in Boston. Check out the article here or in Friday's print edition.

From the article:

"It was the open, modern style of the house in West Roxbury, Mass., that first got one couple’s attention: a box made of clear-finished white cedar siding that seemed to float above a dark metal base, with large windows, panels of wood slats and high ceilings.  

"But the main reason they paid $1.4 million for the 2,500-square-foot home was the [Passive House] technology."

Many thanks to our developer partner Dmitry Baskin of Passive House Construction for realizing that the Boston housing market was ready for Passive House and to Nancy Keates for the great article. We'll be sharing more about Brucewood in the coming weeks - stay tuned!

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As reported in Building Design + Construction, the City of Boston recently adopted Massachusetts's new Stretch Code of sustainability standards, which includes a requirement for every new multifamily building built in Boston to meet passive building requirements starting January 1, 2024.

This represents a big step in the right direction for sustainability! Creating Passive House buildings has unique challenges, but we know we have the skills to achieve higher performing buildings without sacrificing great design.

We're currently working on multiple Passive House developments totaling 673 units of housing - check out more on a few of those projects here:

1234-1240 Soldier's Field Road includes 534 units of housing; two of the four buildings in the development are being designed to Passive House standards.

52 New Street includes 110 affordable housing units and ground-floor retail and is targeting Passive House certification.

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