Homes built in accordance with Passive House standards minimize energy use to greatly reduce heating and cooling demands without compromising comfort for those who live in them. And eco-friendly, money-saving Passive House principles aren’t just for new construction—they can be applied to remodels, too. That means the wonderful old homes we love can benefit from the newest methods for insulation, airtightness, and ventilation.
“Any home can be remodeled using Passive House principles,” says Stephen Aiguier, founder and president of design build firm Green Hammer in Portland, Oregon. Indeed, the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) has a relatively new certification called Phius REVIVE that focuses on resilience, fortification, and decarbonization for retrofit renovations—applicable even when much of the existing floor plan remains the same. “People desire high-quality, long-lasting, efficient homes at an affordable price,” says Aiguier. “Passive House buildings can cut energy use by 40 to 60 percent compared to typical homes.”
One remarkable case in point? This lovely Craftsman in Portland’s Willamette Heights neighborhood. The owners, a young couple with a deep appreciation for century-old architecture, hoped to achieve the ultimate in modern technologies, materials, and airtight construction intrinsic to Passive House certification while creating a home with classic character and historic details. Here’s how they made it happen.
Style on Substance
The way it was built in 1920, the house was an undefined mix of both Craftsman and Colonial elements, but the original structure was carefully taken down until only the foundation and one 8-foot length of exterior ground floor wall remained. “We essentially had a clean slate, so we had the opportunity to redefine the vernacular,” says interior designer Stephanie Dyer, principal of Portland design firm Dyer Studio Inc., who partnered with Green Hammer on the project.
The footprint remained largely the same, but the space was reenvisioned to suit all the homeowners’ criteria, including a bigger, commercial-grade kitchen and an expansive ensuite upstairs. The first priority, however, was rebuilding from the ground up to meet Passive House standards, which included:
- Continuous, high-quality insulation with minimal thermal bridging
- An airtight building envelope that functions like a windbreaker for the structure
- High-performance, airtight doors and windows with orientation and shading
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and moisture control
- Ducted heat pumps three times more energy efficient than the previous gas furnace
- Passive solar orientation
The exterior walls, roof, and floors were packed with thick recycled cellulose insulation, and all gaps and cracks were sealed to prevent drafts and unwanted airflow. “This helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature year-round to reduce heating and cooling demands,” Aiguier explains. Additionally, the house gained a multi-layered rain screen wall system that protects against moisture damage by allowing water to drain and air to circulate behind the cladding. Then and only then could the cedar shingle siding be added to lend the exterior its rustic beauty.
Creating Classic yet Unique Interiors
Inside, the home boasts the warmth of wood throughout, with paneling, flooring, and built-in cabinetry, which are all Craftsman hallmarks. But Dyer by no means aimed to mimic a bygone era. The kitchen, for instance, features sleek, stainless, pro-style appliances and comfy cork flooring to satisfy the serious home chefs. Dyer exercised further creative freedom with rich hues of paint, thoughtful combinations of textures, and curved contours in unexpected places. The result is a handsome home with timeless appeal and individual touches that reflect the owners’ personal tastes and passions.
“When you walk into this house, you experience the nostalgia of a 100-year-old Craftsman,” Aiguier says. “You also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing the home runs with the efficiency and reliability of modern technology and smart design.”
