Case Study: Upper West Side New York Passive House

Designing a home to the Passive House standard frees the designer. Whereas there were so many mechanical obstacles before, now we regain control over the spaces and details of homes because the exterior walls are treated differently.  They are no longer the coldest or hottest places in the house.  It makes designing fun and allows you to be that much more creative. – Michael Ingui

High performing European windows and doors are transforming the New York landscape and discerning homeowners and architects are leading the way.

Zola Windows is proud to have recently partnered with Baxt Ingui Architects, Robert Taferra Construction, and the homeowner on an unusual example of an existing building being both restored architecturally to its original appearance while undergoing a hidden transformation to Passive House standard.

Zola was the go-to source for a range of high performance fenestration units needed to accomplish the project. Highlights of the project’s package include the Zola American Heritage Simulated Double Hung (SDH) window, a replica-quality innovation being applied to historic preservation districts in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The SDH windows adorn the façade of this town-home. In addition, Zola’s massive sliding doors provide a smoothly operable enormous glass wall for the home’s rooftop addition.

We had the pleasure of speaking to Michael Ingui, AIA of Baxt Ingui Architects (http://www.baxtingui.com/) about the W. 88th Street Passive House project.

What was your design inspiration for this project?

“Baxt Ingui collaborated with the clients and, along with Robert Taffera Construction and BIA Interiors, converted an 8-family townhouse that had been stripped of many of its original interior and exterior historic features, including the front stoop, back to its original single family glory.”

What was the design challenge for this project?

“There were multiple challenges for the West 88thStreet Passive House.  It is located in a NYC Landmark protected district, thus underwent a public approval process for the front facade restoration which included Zola simulated double hung windows.  The second challenge was to meet performance standards at the 3-story glass wall that we created at the new rear staircase. The new stair was integral to bring light into the home and to unify the spaces, therefore there was a tremendous amount of pressure for the rear glass wall to perform well. Another area under pressure was the rooftop addition that has two sets of massive Zola sliding glass door panels to create an essential indoor-outdoor connection.  Not only were the doors expected to thermally perform, they needed to operate smoothly as well.”  

What makes this project outstanding?

“This project shows that you can achieve a Passive and a LEED Platinum house built to the Passive House standard while still restoring the historically protected features.  The greatest achievement is that there is no indication at all that this is a high performance home. When you walk past the façade you only notice how well it has been restored. Upon entering the house, the air feels fresh, the house feels comfortable, there are not bump outs- radiators on every wall, and there are minimal grilles and thermostats.  You simply look at the sculptural stair, the plaster crowns, the beautiful wood floors, the attention to detail in every piece of millwork, and are able to enjoy it in exceptional silence due to the lack of sound transmission through the windows.  The spaces flow and feel good – it is a home you want to explore and live in.  The mechanics behind the walls never even cross your mind.”

What was your personal design theory or focus for this project?

“Designing a home to the Passive House standard frees the designer. Whereas there were so many mechanical obstacles before, now we regain control over the spaces and details of homes because the exterior walls are treated differently.  They are no longer the coldest or hottest places in the house.  It makes designing fun and allows you to be that much more creative.”

What are your some of your favorite construction products used on this project?

“The Zola doors and windows made an immense difference in our ability to design huge glass walls and large sliding panels. The simulated double hung alone gave us the ability to do a passive house in a NYC Landmark designated district.  The Zehnder ERV has now become a staple in all of our projects, continuously providing fresh air for optimal comfort and indoor air quality. We also used Eucalyptus for the handrails instead of Mahogany. It stained very consistently and has a richness to it.”

What product line did you use from Zola for windows and doors?

“We used both aluminum clad and wood windows from Zola. We used simulated double hung windows in many of the openings, fixed glass in large rear openings, and swinging and sliding doors of all sizes.”

Why did you choose these product lines?

“The simulated double hung at the front façade is a game changer. It is a beautiful unit and performs incredibly well. The size of the sliding panels were also a key piece. The service and design advice cannot be forgotten. It was essential for this project as well as others we have worked on.”

What is your favorite Zola product?

“Although I love the large sliding glass panels, it has to be the simulated double hung. For this project as well as many others in our office, it has made the difference between being able to do a passive house or not.”

What do you like about Tilt-Turn windows?

“The tilt and turn windows we used were at the lower sash of the double hung.  We have not had anyone second guess the tilt – turn product.  You do have to consider the shading for such a window, but there are many options.”

Did you install any large opening glass walls such as a lift-slide, patio or folding door?

“The large sliding glass panels at the rooftop addition were massive and truly make the difference in that space. The fact that we could get a screen as large as the sliding panel was also significant.”

What is the view you see from the windows or doors from the house?  What does it look like?

“The front windows look at the historic facades on a beautiful tree lined street. The rear of the house looks at a rear yard that is designed to be an extension of the interior space as well as mature trees.”

Baxt Ingui Architects, P.C., is an architecture and interior design firm with extensive experience in residential, institutional, and commercial projects. Baxt Ingui aims to create better built homes that use less energy while maintaining our high attention to detail and thoughtful design. They are currently working on and completing several townhouse renovations targeting Passive House Certification. These super-insulated houses use a fraction of the energy that a typical residence consumes, have better air quality, and are more comfortable to live in.

‍Builder – Robert Taffera Construction, New York, NY

Taffera is a small but effective family of expert craftsmen who restore and care for fine homes. They pride themselves on a commitment to making each project a positive experience for their clients and define their own success by the lasting relationships they make. They have spent the last decade renovating townhouses and apartments, primarily in Brooklyn Heights and the West Village, and have assembled a team of subcontractors they view as an extended family.

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