PHLA+ is the first new construction PASSIVE HOUSE building in Los Angeles. It is a showcase of the PASSIVE HOUSE construction standard, the back-end technologies and benefits of PASSIVE HOUSE. The idea behind this project is to educate and inform homeowners and interested parties about the benefits of PASSIVE HOUSE and how those work in the Los Angeles/Southern California climate.
Passive House LA is located on a duplex lot, infill site and is comprised of 1,750 sq.ft. of living area with an additional large deck area over the carport. Large windows provide sufficient natural light and a connection between indoor and outdoor living even with this home’s limited footprint. Exterior fully automated venetian blinds reduce the heat gain effectively keeping the house cooler and comfortable. The entire airtight building envelope including the windows, wall systems and insulation are combined to produce bottom line, significant energy cost savings not possible with conventional building practices.
The goal of healthy indoor air quality is met by using a highly efficient continuous ventilation with heat-recovery (HRV). Water conservation is achieved with low flow fixtures and a motion-activated hot water delivery system. Heat pumps are used for water heating, heating & cooling of the home and for the dryer. An induction cooktop is used in the kitchen.
PHLA+ is an all-electric home with no use of fossil fuel (gas free). The home is Net Zero Energy with only 10x solar PV panels and with its ~5.4kW photovoltaic system it is a plus energy home. The home has a total of 16x PV panel and during the first year of operation it generated a surplus of power allowing to driving a Tesla Model 3 for 10,000 miles.
project credits:
Architect:
PARAVANT Architects
Christian Kienapfel
AIA, LEED-AP, Certified Passive House Designer
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Architekt (Germany)
CPHC: Sylvia Wallis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHC
Engineer: Troyski Engineering
Certification: Certiphiers, Tad Everhart, Christina Snyder & team
Marketing: KNB Associates
T-24: Avery Colter, Fard Engineers Inc.
HERS: Dav Camras
Shading: CPHBA, Cyril Petit
Photography: Fraser Almeida
Contractor: Guillermo Delgadillo & team
Julio & team
PASSIVE HOUSE Los Angeles (PHLA+) awards:
06/2020 American Institute of Architects (AIA) RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD for PHLA+, certified “Passive House Plus” all electric home.
11/2019 “North American Finalist” & “National Winner” of 5th CertainTeed Gypsum Trophy.
10/2019 AIA COTE MERIT AWARD, Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) receives the AIA Award.
9/2019 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARD – German Innovation in US Buildings. Partners: AIA San Francisco, USGBC Northern California, DGNB, AHK German American Chamber of Commerce.
10/2019 California Advanced Homes.
PHLA+ construction site prior to the demolition of the existing garage.
Existing garage prior to demolition to make room for PHLA+.
PHLA+ construction site prior to the demolition of the existing garage
PHLA+ construction site prior to the demolition of the existing garage
PHLA+ construction site prior to the demolition of the existing garage
The garage has been removed - time to work in the concrete slab.
PHLA+ construction site grading.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) - layout of the new foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) preparing for the foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) installing the form work for the foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). preparing the form work for the new foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). preparing the form work for the new foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). preparing the form work for the new foundation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the vapor barrier and foundation insulation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the vapor barrier and foundation insulation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the vapor barrier.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the vapor barrier and foundation insulation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the vapor barrier and foundation insulation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the foundation insulation.
Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+). Installation of the foundation insulation.
Foundation insulation and waterproofing.
Foundation work.
Installation of insulation for Passive House foundation.
R-10 under slab insulation for Passive House Los Angeles.
Passive House Los Angeles under slab vapor barrier.
Passive House Los Angeles under slab vapor barrier. Penetrations are carefully taped.
Passive House Los Angeles. Preparation of rebar for slab on grade.
Concrete day !
Finishing the slab for Passive House LA
Concrete slab for Passive House LA is ready.
Installation of carport steel frame.
Steel frame for carport.
Steel frame for carport.
metal decking for carport has arrived.
Lumber Delivery for Passive House LA
Lumber Delivery !
A classic old fashioned "lumber drop"
Sill gaskets below exterior walls for Passive House LA.
Passive House Los Angeles sill gasket below all exterior walls.
Framing of first floor starts.
Framing of second floor with TJI's.
Floor sheathing for second floor.
Sill gasket on second floor exterior walls for Passive House Los Angeles.
Sill gasket on second floor exterior walls for Passive House Los Angeles.
Sill gasket on second floor exterior walls for Passive House Los Angeles.
Exterior plywood sheeting in progress at PHLA+
PHLA+ wood framing.
PHLA+ framing and exterior deck.
Liquid Waterproofing at the window openings at Passive House Los Angeles.
Liquid Waterproofing at the window openings at Passive House Los Angeles.
Liquid Waterproofing at the window openings at Passive House Los Angeles.
Another concrete day.
Exterior deck installation.
Passive House windows are getting delivered.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
Passive House Los Angeles window and door installation day.
CAT5 installation on the exterior building envelope at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of roof insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of roof insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of roof insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of roof insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of roof insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
TPO member roof completed at Passive House Los Angeles.
CAT5 installation on the entire exterior Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) building envelope.
CAT5 installation on the entire exterior Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) building envelope.
CAT5 installation on the entire exterior Passive House Los Angeles (PHLA+) building envelope.
Air sealing with EcoSeal at Passive House Los Angeles.
Air sealing with EcoSeal & Rick Blumenthal at Passive House Los Angeles.
Air sealing with EcoSeal & Rick Blumenthal at Passive House Los Angeles.
Now it is time to do the first door blower test and to see where we are at Passive House Los Angeles
Detecting leaks with the smoke pencil at Passive House Los Angeles
Chasing air-leaks in the Passive House Los Angeles building envelope with a smoke pencil and smoke machine.
Testing again the air tightness with the door blower test at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the continuous ventilations system ducts (3" diameter only) with heat recovery at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the continuous ventilations system ducts (3" diameter only) with heat recovery at Passive House Los Angeles.
Box for future air register of the continuous ventilations system heat recovery at Passive House Los Angeles.
Insulation of all the plumbing fixture vents at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the Uponor water supply and recirculation lines at Passive House Los Angeles.
The exterior sun louvers have arrived for Passive House Los Angeles.
Delivery day and working with a 7ft wide driveway.
The brand new sun louvers for Passive House Los Angeles.
Wall mounted toilets - Installation of the carriers in the wall at Passive House Los Angeles.
Setting the electrical meters for both houses.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Drone picture of Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the exterior continuous insulation by Rockwool at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the exterior continuous insulation by Rockwool at Passive House Los Angeles.
Installation of the exterior continuous insulation by Rockwool at Passive House Los Angeles.
after a long day the lights turn on the first time in the living room.
Doorblower test at Passive House Los Angeles
Net and blow-in insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Net and blow-in insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Net and blow-in insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Net and blow-in insulation at Passive House Los Angeles.
Net and blow-in insulation workshop at Passive House Los Angeles. California Energy Commission was attending !
Net and blow-in insulation workshop at Passive House Los Angeles. California Energy Commission was attending !
Net and blow-in insulation workshop at Passive House Los Angeles. California Energy Commission was attending !
Full room height pocket sliding door tracks by Cavity Sliders getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
Full room height pocket sliding door tracks by Cavity Sliders getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
The standing seam metal facade has arrived at Passive House Los Angeles.
The standing seam metal facade has arrived at Passive House Los Angeles.
The standing seam metal facade has arrived at Passive House Los Angeles.
Drywall by CetainTeed get installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
Drywall by CetainTeed get installed at Passive House Los Angeles. Frameless access panel.
TESLA backup battery has arrived at Passive House Los Angeles.
More drywall work to be done at Passive House Los Angeles.
More drywall work to be done at Passive House Los Angeles.
More drywall work to be done at Passive House Los Angeles.
Time to get some paint on the wall.
International Passive House Open Days in which Passive House Los Angeles is participating regularly.
International Passive House Open Days in which Passive House Los Angeles is participating regularly.
Installation of kitchen cabinets (white painted glass doors) at Passive House Los Angeles.
Exterior Automatic sunshades at Passive House Los Angeles.
Heat-Pump Electric Water-heater has arrived at Passive House Los Angeles.
Induction cooktop installed at Passive House Los Angeles (no gas/fossil fuel in the house).
Newly installed kitchen at Passive House Los Angeles.
Exterior Venetian fully automated blinds / sunshades installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
The sun-louvers and guard rail is getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
The sun-louvers and guard rail is getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
The sun-louvers and guard rail is getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
The sun-louvers and guard rail is getting installed at Passive House Los Angeles.
911
Interior staircase at Passive House Los Angeles.
Passive House Los Angels is receiving the 16 solar panels (photovoltaic panels).
Passive House Los Angels is receiving the 16 solar panels (photovoltaic panels).
Passive House Los Angels is receiving the 16 solar panels (photovoltaic panels).
Passive House Los Angels is receiving the 16 solar panels (photovoltaic panels).
TESLA backup battery for Passive House Los Angeles.