Theresa Passive House is a high-performance renovation and addition that blends the historic preservation of a 1914 Craftsman bungalow and a modern volume highlighting cutting-edge sustainable design. The 2100-sf residence committed to best practices in designing for climate resiliency and health. Completed in 2020, this Passive House certified home is a pilot project for the PHIUS 2018+ Source Zero standard and one of the first Passive House projects located in a hot, humid climate. It received the highest rating by Austin Energy Green Building to date, and consumes 75% less energy than a typical new home. Rigorous targets in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and responsible materials sourcing enhance the project’s programmatic and aesthetic goals. The result is a resilient, healthy and relaxing home for a busy family – that is both energized by its urban setting and connected to nature and serenity. The project offers a path to engaging homebuilding with more mindfulness and persistence in climate action at this scale.
Interior Design: Studio Ferme
Architecture: Forge Craft Architecture + Design
and Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Builder: Clean Tag and LVL on the LVL
Photography by Casey Dunn and Leonid Furmansky
Awards & Media
‘A Southern Bungalow That’s Hyper-Energy Efficient’ by Lauren Jones, in print, Metropolis Magazine, Design the Future, Spring 2024
Theresa Passive in House in Dwell's 'The 20 Most-Liked Homes on Our Instagram in 2023'
2022 AIA Austin Homes Tour // Webinar with Trey Farmer, Adrienne Farmer & Hugh Jefferson Randolph
2022 DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Housing Innovation Award
2022 AIA Austin Design Award of Merit
2022 Preservation Austin Award for Sustainability
2022 PHIUS Passive Projects Design Competition Winner / Archinect
2022 Austin Home & Design Awards / Readers Choice for Best Overall Design, Best Historic Preservation Project, Best Specialty Room, finalist for Best Interior Design, Best Kitchen and Primary Suite
Texas Architect / There Will Come Soft Rains
Green Builder / Age of Resilience: Cold Case
Metropolis Magazine / In Texas, a Passive House Blends Style and Sustainability
Passive House Accelerator / A Remodel Designed for the Austin Market
Build With Rise / How A Texas Passive House Survived the 2021 Deep Freeze
Austin Home / AIA Homes Tour Feature
Fine Homebuilding / Passive-House Remodel in A Historic Neighborhood
Fine Homebuilding / Timeless and Modern Bucket Sinks
Build Show / Passive House Remodel, Passive House HVAC
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design
Theresa Passive House | Studio Ferme | Interior Design