On this episode of the Passive House Podcast join Michael Ingui as he chats with the NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Round Five Award winners. From groundbreaking Passive House projects in Manhattan, Buffalo, and the South Bronx to deep retrofits and adaptive reuse in Brooklyn and beyond, we hear from architects, developers, and engineers driving high-performance, low-carbon buildings across New York State. With a focus on community impact, design excellence, and climate resilience, this episode captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of sustainable architecture.

Buildings of Excellence Website: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/

Project featured in interview excerpt #1 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: Kissena House

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Kissena-House

Project featured in interview excerpt #2 with Forward Development and Line 42 Architecture: 1707 Hertel Ave – buffalo

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/1707-Hertel-Ave

Project featured in interview excerpt #3 with Alloy Development and Thornton Tomasetti: 475 State Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/475-State-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #4 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: Seneca West 110th Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Seneca-West-110th-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #5 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: 77 William Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/77-William-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #6 with Ettinger Engineering Associates: Powerhouse Apartments

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Powerhouse-Apartments

Project featured in interview excerpt #7 with ZH Architects: Building 10 Bio-Based Passive House

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Building-10-Bio-based-Passive-House

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, hosts Mary James and Ilka Cassidy sit down with Kristina Held, principal and founder of Held Architecture. Kristina shares her fascinating path through architectural education in Serbia, Germany, and the U.S., and how that global experience shaped her approach to Passive House. From humidity challenges in the Carolinas to adaptive reuse and detailing with precision, Kristina offers deep insight into designing for performance, comfort, and climate resilience.

https://www.heldarch.com/

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James sits down with Parlin Meyer, Managing Principal of BrightBuilt Home, and Chris Lee, Head of Design & Development at Backyard ADUs, for a deep dive into the growing world of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Together, they explore how prefabrication, modular construction, and progressive policy shifts are reshaping the housing landscape in the Northeast and beyond. From multigenerational living to zoning reforms and cost challenges, Parlin and Chris share insights from the front lines of ADU design and delivery—what’s working, what’s not, and where this crucial housing type is headed.

https://www.brightbuilthome.com/

https://backyardadus.com/

Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.