Winner of the Phius Passive Projects Design Competition!
The Bank Lofts has been named the Winner in the Retrofit category of the 2025 Phius Passive Projects Design Competition!
This transformative adaptive reuse project turns a long-vacant 1880s bank in Richfield Springs, NY into a fossil-fuel-free, high-performance mixed-use development—preserving historic character while meeting modern standards for energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience.
Supported by NYSERDA , this project shows how climate action, historic preservation, and housing revitalization can work together to transform small communities.
The award was announced this week at #PhiusCon2025 in Milwaukee.
Representing the team at the ceremony was James Hartford, Principal at River Architects. Congratulations to River Architects' very own Juhee Lee-Hartford and Di W. George, and the entire Bank Lofts team!
This recognition celebrates our commitment to sustainable design, community revitalization, and historic preservation—all in one powerful project.
Learn more about the Bank Lofts project on our website.
Photo by Pamela Cook