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In New York, a brick townhouse transformed into a net positive building
Originally built in 1945, a brick townhouse in Queens has been transformed into a net positive building. The work of Brooklyn studio CO Adaptive Architecture, Tiny Queens Passive House represents another step forward in the practice’s commitment to retrofitting existing structures to create energy-efficient, climate-resilient buildings.
With two aboveground floors and a basement, the tiny New York home underwent a careful process of “deconstruction.” This approach means that, instead of demolishing the existing building, the removed materials were separated by type to be reused in new housing projects.
Since the original layout – comprising a living area, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms – was already efficient, the renovation of the home retained a lot of the existing structure. Rooms remained in their original positions, but there were also modifications to bring the home up to Passive House standards, which require a building to cover most of its energy needs for heating and cooling with passive systems.
Among these modifications was the meticulous deconstruction of the perimeter of the existing timber floor and subfloors. This made it possible to seal the existing joists and install an airtight membrane, keeping the original parquet intact, which was still in excellent condition. To memorialize this renovation, the architects called for the installation of a new timber perimeter at an angle to the existing flooring using reclaimed local red oak to harmonize with the existing material.
At the back of the house, the firm inserted new large apertures in the dining room to open a connection with the rear deck and allow more natural light to enter the room.
Although the changes were limited, the house has been transformed into a fully electrified home, complete with a new solar canopy on the roof. With its new envelope, the building is net positive, with the solar system providing enough energy to meet its now reduced heating and cooling needs.
Existing openings in the brick façade were adapted to accommodate a new energy recovery ventilator system, which helps control humidity levels and ensure clean air throughout the home. A checkerboard pattern on the brick façade highlights these changes, while the south-facing openings now have bright blue external shades, to match the new metal window frames, that block out the summer heat.
Except for the existing timber flooring, the finishes throughout the home were updated. The practice opted for natural materials, including lime- and sand-based plaster to ensure the transpiration and drying of the masonry wall.
In the kitchen, the floors are red linoleum, providing a soft feeling underfoot. The kitchen furniture is maple-faced plywood, while the countertops and backsplash are decorative blue porcelain.
>>> Discover the Bunkie on the Hill project
Location: New York, USA
Completion: 2024
Area: 107 sq. m
Architect: CO Adaptive Architecture
Consultants
MEP: ABS Engineering
Structural: ADoF Structural Engineers
Construction Management: CO Adaptive Building
Photography by Naho Kubota, courtesy of CO Adaptive Architecture
