What It’s Like To Live In A Passive House
A Client Reflects On 14 Years In An Artisans Group Custom Home
[TOPIC: Living in a Passive House | Comfort & thermal consistency | Indoor air quality & ventilation | Energy efficiency & low utility costs | Quiet & acoustic comfort | Healthy living environment | Durability & low maintenance | Sustainable living]
We recently talked with Don Freas, an artist living in Olympia, Washington, about his Passive House home designed by Artisans Group back in 2000. While we talked, he sat in his office in the house we call The Jewel Box, looking out at a spectacular view of Puget Sound.
He told us he’s just as comfortable in his house today as he was when he first moved in. Here are excerpts from our conversation, condensed for clarity.
The Origin Story
Artisans Group: How did this project start?
Don Freas: I found this property online. It had an old, uninhabited house, an orchard with 50 fruit trees, a blueberry patch, a redwood tree, and a giant sequoia. Plus, 190 feet of Puget Sound waterfront. Something about it just clicked.
At first, I didn’t have enough money to buy or build, but eventually circumstances aligned. When the price dropped, I knew it was the right time to act.
Energy Efficiency and Style
AG: Did you want an energy-efficient home?
DF: Not initially. I could see the importance, but I wasn’t focused on it. I might have leaned toward a Craftsman-style home, but I loved the Mid-Century Modern designs Tessa was creating — all using Passive House principles. Now I wouldn’t live anywhere else. It’s energy-efficient and incredibly comfortable.
Getting Started
AG: What was it like working with Tessa?
DF: We set a rule to remove as much detail as possible. I wanted simplicity and lots of light to complement this amazing site with its views of Puget Sound and the Olympics.
I needed a house and a separate studio for woodworking and welding. The studio isn’t Passive House, but it’s well-insulated and stylistically similar. The house is one story, with a single bedroom and an office, and a large open area combining living, kitchen, and dining spaces — it doesn’t feel small at all.
The Passive House Experience
DF: This house is a “light box” with huge, triple-glazed windows. Even in winter, standing near the glass, there’s no draft. The temperature is remarkably consistent year-round.
It has an earth tube that preconditions incoming air to about 57°F, cooling or warming as needed. Recently, I added a mini-split for heating and cooling — it barely affected my electric bill. Living here is subtle but indescribably comfortable. The house really “wears” well.
Advice For Passive House Builders
DF: Trust your architects, and pay attention when making changes to the original plan. Always get written estimates for adjustments.
Set aside extra funds beyond the original plan. I did, and it worked out — I even had some left over when the house was completed.
The key takeaway? Passive House design creates homes that are comfortable, energy-efficient, and sustainable — a huge shift in how you experience living in a house.
© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts
Posted on July 01, 2024
