Design Profile | Green Building - Northern Liberties Passive Rowhouse

Uniquely positioned on a tiny 36-feet deep by 19-feet-wide lot on the north side of Orkney Park in Northern Liberties, this innovative new construction, single-family residence is where ambitious, craft-driven design intersects with high performance. Given the site’s urban context, the team set out to construct a residence that added to the existing fabric of the neighborhood. A portion of the interior is set back from the property line, allowing for glazing on the southern exposure, a visual connection to the park, and a terrace off of the main living space. This also creates an opportunity for a change in materiality — resilient corrugated metal is paired with rich, Pennsylvania-sourced thermally modified tongue and groove oak siding. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms fit gracefully into 1,675 square feet of living space. The project received PHIUS+ 2018 Passive House certification and includes onsite battery storage. The home also features an electric car charger, smart energy panel and home energy automation systems. The design and craftsmanship of the home were not sacrificed for performance efficiencies but rather strengthened by them. The home aspires to be a model for individual commitment to energy resilience in the 21st century. 

Project: Northern Liberties Passive Rowhouse 

Location: Northern Liberties, Philadelphia 

Client: Private Homeowner  

Project Size: 1,675 square feet 

Project Team:  

Lauren Thomsen Design (Architecture and Interiors)  

Poulson & Associates (Geotechnical and Civil Engineering)  

Larsen & Landis (Structural Engineer)  

Mt. Weather Engineering (Engineering) 

Scribe Design Build (General Contractor) 

Photos: Korin Krossber, Archetype Photo