Santa Fe is the ideal climate for modeling Passivhaus buildings — summers can get hot and dry, while winters are bitterly cold at an elevation well north of 7,000 feet. Luckily, the sun shines a lot, and while this condition isn’t necessary for Passivhaus to be successful, the Balance House is able to take advantage of the great solar exposure, soaking the sun’s heat during the day and keeping it in at night and during inclement weather. The building is carefully shaded in the summer and does not require air conditioning.
get the free Inhabitat newsletter
more popular stories >
more popular stories >
more popular stories >
When it comes to energy efficiency and passive heating, the advantage of being located in the sunniest state in the US is undeniable. I love the style of the home, but I’m surprised it looks so modern. I thought homes in Santa Fe all adhered to a more traditional look.