A couple of years ago, we (Steve Baczek, architect, and Steve Demetrick, builder) joined forces on Rhode Island’s first certified Passive House. As successful as that affordable project was, we agreed that the best aspect of the project was the ongoing dialogue that started between the two of us. When we were recently asked to design and build another Passive House for a client, we began by questioning everything we did on the first project, from the foundation up—both successes and challenges.

One of the first things we looked at was the basement-floor assembly, which in most Passive Houses is a heavily insulated, concrete-slab system. Typically, the slab is covered with carpet, laminated flooring, or tile. But this particular client wanted a hardwood floor in the finished basement, so the assembly below that floor needed closer...

or Register to continue reading