Behind-the-Scenes Tour of a Phius-Certified Passive House in Gardiner, NY
River Architects and Phius Alliance NY Present a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of a Phius-Certified Passive House in Gardiner, NY
On Wednesday, May 20, River Architects and Phius Alliance NY will host an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Shawangunk Passive, a Phius-certified residence in Gardiner, New York that demonstrates the integration of high-performance building science, environmental responsibility, and site-responsive architectural design.
Led by River Architects Principal James Hartford, the event offers architects, builders, consultants, and Passive House professionals a rare opportunity to experience a completed high-performance home firsthand while engaging directly with the project team responsible for its design, engineering, certification, and construction.
A Field-Based Learning Experience
The guided tour will connect key Passive House performance metrics, including airtightness, heating and cooling demand reduction, and source energy use, to the specific design and construction strategies implemented throughout the project.
Attendees will explore:
Superinsulated enclosure assemblies
Continuous air barrier detailing
Thermal bridge mitigation strategies
High-performance windows and doors
All-electric mechanical systems
Climate-specific shading and glazing approaches
The home also includes several unusual and technically challenging design elements that required close coordination across disciplines, including:
An indoor Endless Pool swim spa
A wood-burning fireplace within an airtight enclosure
A green roof assembly
Double-height window installations
Direct exhaust kitchen ventilation with balanced make-up air
Integrated dehumidification systems
Exterior shading systems designed to mitigate overheating
By examining these systems in a built project context, participants will gain practical insight into how rigorous performance goals can coexist with architectural complexity, spatial quality, and occupant comfort.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
The event will feature presentations and discussion from several members of the project team, each bringing a different perspective on the realities of delivering a Phius-certified building.
Together, the presentations highlight the collaborative process required to successfully deliver certified Passive House projects.
Bridging Theory and Practice
Designed as a practical, site-based educational experience, the tour emphasizes how Passive House principles are applied in real-world conditions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how envelope detailing, mechanical integration, and interdisciplinary coordination collectively contribute to building performance outcomes.
The project also serves as an example of climate-specific Passive House design for Climate Zone 5A, demonstrating how orientation, shading, glazing optimization, and careful detailing can support both aesthetic ambitions and aggressive energy performance targets.
Event Information
Passive House Tour: Shawangunk Passive
Wednesday, May 20
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Gardiner, NY
(Exact address shared with registered attendees)
Space is limited and advance registration is required.
Registration:
$15 Phius Members
$20 Non-Members
Attendees are encouraged to carpool due to limited parking. Closed-toe shoes are required, and portions of the tour may include unfinished or outdoor areas.
