Granite City Passive House

First Affordable, Multi-Family Phius+ Project in Illinois

Farr Associates designed this charming Phius-certified two-unit apartment building, the smallest structure in a larger 43-unit public housing redevelopment in Granite City, IL. 

The Net-Zero building was designed to meet the rigorous Enterprise Green Community criteria, which sets high-performance standards for the building’s envelope. The building walls were 2x6 studs with cellulose insulation with an additional 2” of rigid insulation on the exterior. The windows were fiberglass with triple-glazing. The high-efficiency MEP system included a small furnace, hot water heater, and an energy-recovery ventilator.

In 2019, 10 years later and 100 yards to the south, Farr Associates designed a twin building to meet Phius+ 2018 standards. The building features a higher-performing envelope; far more conscientious detailing; and an updated, carbon-free, mechanical system.