Our clients are a recently married professional couple. Liana’s family include two of Philadelphia's Italian Markets' most established vendors. Mark is a car enthusiast. They are child-less by choice. They purchased a warehouse from Liana's Father. The 25x90' warehouse (unconditioned) will be the playground for Mark's automotive pastime and acts as the plinth for a modern two-story house. The warehouse roof provides front and rear "yards" or decks. The double height glass living room facade is canted to orient true south to surf winter solar gain. A sculptural shading structure will shield the house from summer solar gain. The house is designed to meet Passive House Standard and be Net Zero Energy Ready.

The open plan features a cook’s kitchen with large pull up peninsula and generous pantry. The main floor has two rear bedrooms/office space and guest bath. The upper level has a lofted media room overlooking the living room. The master bedroom suite is in the rear.

Air to Air heat pumps provide heating and cooling with supplemental electric radiant floor pads for peak winter loads are provided at the south window wall, at the ground floor entrance and for delight in the Masterbath.

We use Zehnder ERV, augmented with a recirculating demand driven vent from the front windows to the rear bedroom to assist in energy balance particularly in hip months. A dedicated makeup air vent allows a traditional hood and fan for Liana who is a food aficionado. The laundry room doubles as a drying closet.

Daylighting is augmented by light tubes to bring light into the pantry and guest bath on the first floor. All other rooms are naturally lit with Intus 3-pane PH certified UPVC windows. The window openings are splayed on two sides of the thick super insulated wall, aiming light playfully in various directions. 

Appliances are Tier III Energy Star were possible. Water sense fixtures are used in most cases. LED lighting is used throughout. Some locations have motion, vacancy or light sensors.

The main roof is designed for both green roof and solar PV. Space is provided in the event solar thermal is desired. Both PV and Green roof will be installed as budget allows during phase 1 construction. Rain barrels will capture stormwater for front and rear deck container gardens.

The ground floor entrance leads up a stairs to the main light filled living room. Under the stair is a powder room and mechanical room. Space is provided for a future elevator to the main floor for aging in place.