On June 13, NESEA will be organizing a tour of a new single family home, still under construction and being built to Passive House standards. 

Attendees at this early summer event will learn the story of this project, nestled away in Bethany, CT. The event hosts hope to showcase this residence, which will be net zero ready, as an example of a high-performance residence with minimal environmental impact. 

The event will begin with an opening presentation, with details including the design strategies, materials selection, performance goals, and site considerations of the project. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, we’ll regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other. 

About the Project

With a brook on the property, the sensitive hydrology demanded a rigorous storm-water management approach, incorporating rain chains and on-site infiltration wells to mitigate runoff and reduce reliance on municipal systems. The project team used an airtight envelope, high-performance insulation, thermal bridge-free detailing to improve the home’s performance, and strategically positioned the triple-pane windows to optimize solar gain and heat retention.

A state-of-the-art metal roof integrated with photovoltaic panels (one of the first installations of its kind in the nation) will offset 100% of demand, including battery storage and electric vehicle charging. Sustainability extends to material selection, with naturally weather-resistant cedar siding finished in a traditional charring process for durability without chemical treatments. Currently under construction and pre-certified under Phius +18, the project team offers to share this residence as an example of what they hope can be an evolving model of resilience, energy independence, and environmental stewardship—setting a new benchmark for sustainable homebuilding.

Schedule

If you have questions about this event, you can contact us via protours@nesea.org.
Interested in sponsoring this event? Learn more here.