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The Beauty of Zero


Case Studies


Featured Project
  • Passive House Infill by Robin McGrew, AIA and AllenBuilt, Inc.
Exterior Exterior

Passive House Infill

Washington, DC

The owners LOVE the quality of the filtered indoor air; thermal stability (no drafts at windows or cold floors); acoustic tightness; daylighting and views. The owners LOVE the energy savings: in 2020, with a greater than anticipated occupancy due to Covid work- and school-from-home, the energy costs for the entire house were $728.00.

Low energy home; low VOC materials; water efficiency; natural materials indoors and outdoors with minimized coatings and finishes; rainwater collection and rain garden infiltration; native, pollinator-friendly plants, no irrigation.

Construction mockup of exterior wall showing air barrier layer, drainage plane, exterior insulation and window opening Energy Recovery Ventilator for continuous fresh air delivery and stale air exhaust with heat exchange Construction image - insulation under the floor slab, taped and sealed to the perimeter walls Construction image - sealing the windows


Project DataYear Completed: 2019
Architect: Robin McGrew, AIA
Builder: AllenBuilt, Inc.
Housing Type: Single-family New Construction
Size: 5 beds, 3.5 bath (includes 1 bed, 1 bath apartment) | 3,985 sq. ft.
Sustainability Achievements: -2 HERS; house tightness 0.23 ACH50; 0.02 CFM50/sf; 12.9kW roof-top solar array
Green Certifications: PHIUS 2015+ Certified; Zero Energy Ready Home; Energy Star Certified New Home; Indoor AirPlus Qualified Home

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