Contemporary Townhouse Passive House

Redbrick Passive House

Dining room with a large grey area rug, marble dining table, black velvet dining chairs, wood credenza, two large paintings hanging on the walls, and a large silver chandlier.

This historic Brooklyn Heights townhouse met contemporary Passive House construction. The project was a true collaborative effort between the developer, builder, realtor, and architect.

A brick rear facade with several levels. The garden floor leads up to the rear yard. The parlor floor has a deck with a table and charirs and gas grill. Another roof deck is accessible from the third floor. The top of the fifth floor is a furnished roof deck. — At the rear of the house, a new addition was designed allow maximum light into the house, create seamless relationship from interior to exterior, and make the entire façade feel cohesive.

Rear facade of a Brooklyn Heights townhouse. A two story extension has a sloped glass roof. On the third floor, a balcony spans the left half of the building. The right half of the building is clad in brick. — At the rear of the house, a new addition was designed allow maximum light into the house, create seamless relationship from interior to exterior, and make the entire façade feel cohesive.

At the rear of the house, a new addition was designed allow maximum light into the house, create seamless relationship from interior to exterior, and make the entire façade feel cohesive.

View looking down an open staircase from the fifth floor of a townhouse. The staircase has white oak risers and black handrail

Fifth floor landing of a five-story townhouse with a large skylight above the staircase, and a large window at the landing. The floors are white oak and the walls are painted white.

Full-width kitchen in a Brooklyn Heights townhouse with light grey millwork surrounded by marble countertops, island, and backsplash. Four barstools are lined up at the built-in eating area on the island. The high ceilings are covered in paneling.

Recreation room with wood floors, three windows, and a large navy blue sectional with orange and yellow pillows.

Office with a chrome and lacquered wood desk, office chair, and a guest chair next to it. Two large paintings hang on the walls, and a large blue chevron area rug covers the white oak floors.

Living room with two large white couches facing each other. A large marble coffee table sits in between them, in front of a large, modern, marble mantel. Above the mantel is a large mirror. Above the coffee table, a large chrome chandelier hangs. On either side of the mantel, credenzas with aged glass mirrors provide storage.

Throughout the entertainment spaces, a mix of traditional and modern finishes have a sense of warmth and focus on craftsmanship.

Wet bar with dark blue millwork, black and white striped stone countertop and backsplash, and light wood floors.

Nursery with a dusty rose carpet, white crib, wallpaper with wheat fields at the bottom, white dresser, circular mirror, flower-covered chandelier, and wood floors.

Bedroom with a large gold chandelier, wood floors, blue area rug underneath a bed with a mustard-yellow comforter, and wood dresser.

Note from the architect

The artisans that completed the project spent countless hours ensuring the details and finishes were well-resolved. The fact that it is a passive house is secondary, as all the energy-efficient measures are out of sight.