Traditional Townhouse Passive House

Manhattan's First Certified Passive House

Stoop and areaway that replaced the front yard of an Upper West Side brownstone

Historic preservation and high performance building came together in this Upper West Side Historic District Renaissance Revival brownstone. The home became Manhattan's first Certified Passive House and Certified LEED for Home Platinum.

Front façade of a Greek Revival brownstone on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with reinstalled stoop — Restoring the front façade, originally designed by Thom Wilson in 1888, included returning the ornamental details and stoop which had been removed in the 1940s.

Front façade of a Greek Revival brownstone on the Upper West Side of Manhattan before our renovation — Restoring the front façade, originally designed by Thom Wilson in 1888, included returning the ornamental details and stoop which had been removed in the 1940s.

Restoring the front façade, originally designed by Thom Wilson in 1888, included returning the ornamental details and stoop which had been removed in the 1940s.

Restored entryway with new vestibule, white molding detail and a large decorative light fixture — The reinstalled stoop made the parlor-level entryway functional again. We removed the bars covering the door, replicated the historic front door, and created a vestibule in the entryway.

Entry door to a townhouse with dark wood detailing before our renovation — The reinstalled stoop made the parlor-level entryway functional again. We removed the bars covering the door, replicated the historic front door, and created a vestibule in the entryway.

The reinstalled stoop made the parlor-level entryway functional again. We removed the bars covering the door, replicated the historic front door, and created a vestibule in the entryway.

Wood-paneled study with roman shades and built-in bookshelves at the front of an Upper West Side townhouse. — Next to the entryway, we created a traditional formal study, complete with wood paneled walls and built-in shelving. Passive measures allowed us to remove the window A/C unit and install larger windows.

Room with bay windows at the front of an Upper West Side home before our renovation. — Next to the entryway, we created a traditional formal study, complete with wood paneled walls and built-in shelving. Passive measures allowed us to remove the window A/C unit and install larger windows.

Next to the entryway, we created a traditional formal study, complete with wood paneled walls and built-in shelving. Passive measures allowed us to remove the window A/C unit and install larger windows.

Living space with two separate seating areas, a coffee table that doubles as a display case, and antique rugs. — On an upper level, creating larger window openings and removing walls opened up the space to let natural light pour in. The resulting seating area doubles as a place to showcase our client's art collection, including a glass top coffee table that doubles as a display case.

Dining room with mismatched chairs, dark wood floors, and a ceiling fan before our renovation — On an upper level, creating larger window openings and removing walls opened up the space to let natural light pour in. The resulting seating area doubles as a place to showcase our client's art collection, including a glass top coffee table that doubles as a display case.

On an upper level, creating larger window openings and removing walls opened up the space to let natural light pour in. The resulting seating area doubles as a place to showcase our client's art collection, including a glass top coffee table that doubles as a display case.

BIA Interiors enhanced the open floorplan by integrating a light, neutral color palette with plush fabrics and natural woods. We collaborated with our clients to incorporate their art collection from their many travels with sculptural lighting and textured wallpapers.