Theresa Passive House designed by Forge Craft Architecture + Design is a high-performance renovation and addition that blends the historic preservation of a 1914 Craftsman bungalow with a modern volume and innovative sustainable design. The 2100-sf residence, located on a small lot in the historic Clarksville neighborhood of Austin, was designed by the homeowners, an architect and designer, in collaboration with a local architect recognized for historic renovations. Photography by Leonid Furmansky, Casey Dunn.

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Theresa Passive House was intended to be a forum for learning and to fill an underrepresented segment ? a more modestly-sized single-family home that could make light of a challenging renovation and lot. It offers climate resiliency in the extreme Central Texas climate without compromising design intent, including expansive glazing not often seen in Passive Houses. The designers/homeowners set goals within typical constraints, while also considering the environmental, health, and ethical impacts of implementing design decisions through the life cycle of a product or process. The design team created a smart floor plan with ample storage for the everyday activities of an active, young family and that could accommodate gatherings centered around the kitchen and cooking, with generous daylight, a sense of retreat, and a connection to nature, their garden, and the neighborhood. The project?s mindful finishes and interior desig...