We’ve kicked off another new construction project in Bellingham, and another collaboration with [bundle] design studio! Located on a prime lot in Fairhaven, we’re building a single-family home and a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU). Our clients’ priority is to build an energy-efficient, high-performance home, making this project a natural fit for targeting Passive House (Phius) certification. This certification sets industry-leading benchmarks for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, comfort, and durability.

The strategies we’ll use to reach our performance goals include installing triple-pane VETTA windows, a Zehnder energy-recovery ventilation system, a well-sealed building envelope, and a heat pump. For exterior insulation, we’re using a wood-fiber product from TimberHP, which is manufactured from wood chips that are a byproduct of the logging and lumber industries. We’ve also added a roof overbuild with an additional layer of insulation.

For the design, [bundle] modeled the project in WUFI, which is a modeling program built for passive homes. It orients the building to take advantage of solar gain, runs weather and sun calculations, and prescribes R values to specific parts of the home for maximum efficiency.

By moving the existing home and making space for an additional single-family home and DADU, we’re doing a small part to increase density in this neighborhood without fundamentally altering its character, and without adding demolition waste to a landfill. And most importantly, the new structures will be built to last and perform to the highest standards for generations to come.