ZED was out and about in the community for Earth Day, taking on projects in Boston and Somerville! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize (Above) Fernanda Castillo worked on the Maple Street Solar & Irrigation Project in Boston to kick off an off-grid solar energy and irrigation system to be installed at a brand-new food forest site in 2024 (a partnership between Olin College PlnT (Olin College of Engineering Public Interest Technology) and the BFFC (Boston Food Forest). View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize (Above) Alex Rabe helped ..read more

Porter Road Apartments Columbia Street Apartments Two of ZED’s multifamily affordable housing projects in Cambridge, MA - Porter Road Apartments and Columbia Street Apartments - recently gained Enterprise Green Communities certification! This certification program aims to promote the creation of sustainable, healthy, and environmentally responsible affordable housing. The Enterprise Green Communities Certification is a comprehensive green building framework designed specifically for affordable housing developments in the United States. Gaining certification can be challenging, as it requires ..read more

A Modern Mid-Century Home in Belmont This modern high performance home in Belmont was built in two phases, beginning with an addition to an existing 1960s-era house. The home’s two bifurcated wings informed the decision to phase the project so that the owners could live in part of the home with their three children during construction. The design kept a similar footprint and created two distinct wings with a connector in between. This central corridor is the home’s formal entry point and provides a dramatic perspective overlooking the abutting Mass Audubon sanctuary beyond. Inside or out, thi ..read more

Homify, an online architecture and interior design platform, recently featured ZeroEnergy Design’s Passive House Retreat in an article about space saving kitchens. Specifically focused on single-wall kitchens, the article mentions how the Passive House Retreat kitchen utilizes a large island to increase the usable surface area, while also creating a pleasing separation of the cooking space from the open dining and living areas. The Passive House Retreat’s single-wall kitchen makes a statement with its playful red wall and gable form, which was planned as the defining aesthetic feature of the ..read more

LUX Life Magazine has selected ZeroEnergy Design for the 2021 Award for Excellence in Sustainable Architecture - Massachusetts. Now in its fourth year, the 2021 Leading Designers Awards have been designed to recognize the companies, teams and individuals who are excelling in this ever-growing industry - those who set the highest standards by pushing creative boundaries within the industry of architecture, interior design, furniture and product design, and property development. LUX Life’s dedicated team of in-house researchers have handpicked each participant - ranging from the most innovative ..read more

Green Building Advisor posed a simple question to ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz: “Is Zero Energy the Answer?” Horowitz joined a handful of experienced industry experts in submitting short essays on this topic, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and shortcomings of zero-energy homes. Many of the entries focus on rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, which generate electricity at home, heating systems and insulation, and the role homes play in the global picture of carbon emissions. Article Link: Is Zero Energy the Answer? (subscription required) Newton Net Zero, one of ZED’s super-insulated, net ..read more

ZED is nearing completion of a new energy efficient residence in Westport, MA. The design, which features two gable-roofed structures set in an open meadow, was inspired by the agrarian aesthetic of the area, creating a zen-like sanctuary for the owners.   The client, a soon to be retired couple from Wayland, chose to relocate to Westport to find more community and gain more consistent access to the outdoors. They also desired a home with minimal energy consumption, minimal maintenance, and exceptional durability, with net zero or better performance.  Lofty Spaces and Outdoor C ..read more

According to the newly released 2020 Summary of the AIA 2030 Commitment report, ZeroEnergy Design is one of only 15 firms to achieve 80% or greater predicted EUI savings across their entire architectural portfolio. In 2020, 378 companies reported, representing 3.8 billion square feet across 102 countries. For the tenth year in a row, ZED tracked and reported its energy data against the AIA 2030 Commitment and 2030 Challenge, each year exceeding the minimum thresholds. 2020 marked a significant milestone for the challenge, increasing the carbon reduction target from 70% to 80%. Measuring Progre ..read more

ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz joins hosts Sarah Lawson and Bruce Irving to discuss the differences between high-performance, net zero, and passive homes and what it takes to design them. Stephanie, Sarah and Bruce also share their knowledge on updating an older home to make it more energy efficient, and why windows can make a world of a difference. Follow your preferred link to listen! Anchor FM | Apple | Spotify Builder's Notebook: The Podcast shares practical advice to help listeners make informed and intelligent decisions about renovating or building a home. Hosted by Sarah Lawson and Bruce Irvi ..read more