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High-Performance Home: a Convincing Argument for Efficient Design

Quality was on the client’s mind for the home in the Crane Berkley historic neighborhood of Scarsdale that our office was commissioned to design.

The home had to be efficient and convenient to operate and maintain, but at the same time be elegant and a good neighbor in the beautiful community of historic homes. Our office proposed a high-performance Passive House with a heating demand 10 times less than business as usual.

The proposed design received fast approval from the Architectural Review Board (ARB), at the second meeting. The architectural quality, integrated into a modern ultra-efficient design, made a convincing argument and received nearly immediate support.

The village of Scarsdale struggles with its mandate and goals to reduce the carbon footprint of its homes but at the same time is reluctant to disturb the neighborhood’s harmonious aesthetics with photovoltaic panels for example.

The powerful hyper-efficient design of the home eliminates the same amount of energy as would be produced on 10 rooftops, making efficiency a convincing solution for the Crane Berkley historic neighborhood.

With the “All-electric building act” starting on January 1st, 2024 the need to integrate powerful energy systems such as Passive House, heat-pump systems, geothermal, and energy storage into a comprehensive design, that is beautiful, cost effective, and respects the local context, is even more urgent than before.

  • Private
  • Completed
  • Site Area: 142,000 square feet
  • Building Height: 34 feet
  • Number of Stories: 2 1/2
  • Building Gross Area: 5,600 square feet 
High performance sustainable energy efficient low carbon Passive House in Scarsdale Westchester County New York designed by A.M. Benzing Architects front view

Modern brick facade

Low-maintenance brick facade. The facade is connected over a thermal-bridge free angle to the structure

Experience Wellness Benefits

Controlled climate and airflow

Image © Korin Krossber

High performance sustainable energy efficient low carbon Passive House in Scarsdale Westchester County New York designed by A.M. Benzing Architects garden view

Image © Korin Krossber

High performance sustainable energy efficient low carbon Passive House in Scarsdale Westchester County New York designed by A.M. Benzing Architects exterior terrace

Image © Korin Krossber

High performance sustainable energy efficient low carbon Passive House in Scarsdale Westchester County New York designed by A.M. Benzing Architects Interior kitchen

Image © Korin Krossber

Image © Korin Krossber

Image © Korin Krossber

Image © Korin Krossber

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