It's interesting to see Passive Houses -- like the Breezeway House in Millcreek, Utah -- gain more and more recognition in both the mainstream media and design and construction circles. Another project worth keeping an eye on, Passive House in the Woods, is quietly moving forward with carbon neutral ambitions and a goal to be the first Passive House in the state of Wisconsin. Located in the Town of Hudson, this three-bedroom, 1,940 square foot single-family home spans two levels.

It's interesting to see Passive Houses -- like the Breezeway House in Millcreek, Utah -- gain more and more recognition in both the mainstream media and design and construction circles.  Another project worth keeping an eye on, Passive House in the Woods, is quietly moving forward with carbon neutral ambitions and a goal to be the first Passive House in the state of Wisconsin.

Located in the Town of Hudson, this three-bedroom, 1,940 square foot single-family home spans two levels and includes a walkout basement.  It will be constructed with an R60 slab, R95 flat roof, and an R70 facade, as well as windows and doors that help the home perform to stringent Passive House standards.

As with most ultra-efficient homes, this one will have a heat recovery ventilator, but it's also connected to a 600-foot PEX tube loop field to pre-heat and pre-cool the incoming air stream.  There won't be a boiler or furnace, although there will be in-floor heating mats with local controls that draw about the same amount of energy as two hair dryers.

Perhaps a step further than most Passive Houses, this Wisconsin home will be a net positive producer of energy due in part  to a 4.7 kW photovoltaic array.  In addition, a 40 square-foot solar hot water collector will pre-heat water in a storage tank and provide about 85% of all hot water needs.

Passive House in the Woods was designed by TE Studio and is being built by Morr Construction with the assistance of several other project team members.  Completion is scheduled for late Summer 2010.

[+] Learn more about the Passive House in the Woods.

Rendering credits: Tim Delhey Eian of TE Studio.