Sustain resources through energy-efficient design and co-housing

In this co-housing development, Wright-Ryan has helped three couples realize their dream of aging in place in energy-efficient homes. Located on a sixteen-acre waterfront lot, the project maximizes opportunities for interaction without compromising individual privacy. To minimize site disturbance and to provide sheltered and accessible circulation, the three individual units and the commons were combined into a single building, leaving 80% of the site open and 40% preserved in a conservation easement.

Vegetated roofs reduce runoff and the common garage reduces paved surfaces. The building’s form reinterprets New England vernacular and blends green elements and durable materials into an aesthetic that is contemporary but timeless. The form of the building maximizes water views, daylight, and natural ventilation, adding to its energy efficiency. “Chimneys” gather the mechanical intakes and exhausts, reducing penetrations and defining individual units. A super-insulated envelope, a central biomass boiler, and solar collectors make net-zero energy possible.