energy efficiency

Passive House Conference 2016 NYC

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Sawkill Lumber joined with Menck Windows at the North American Passive House Conference 2016. The intersection of reclaimed woods – a certifiable ‘passive’ forest product – and energy efficient windows, was a triple-pane window made with reclaimed Redwood (salvaged from dismantled vinegar tanks), supplied by Sawkill Lumber and manufactured at the Menck Windows facility in the U.S.; just three hrs north of NYC in Chicopee, MA. Thanks to Menck for their leap into the process and putting the salvaged wood through their state-of-the-art milling equipment. Their acceptance of what’s otherwise a clear ‘defect’ in the wood was certainly stretched on this one. A remarkably technical, beautiful and uber-sustainable window emerged. The first one was installed at a Brooklyn passive house on the opening day of the conference.

Castrucci Architect on WNYC’s ‘Net Zero City’

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Paul Castrucci Architect (PCA) was featured on WNYC. The story was an intro to high energy efficiency, and it’s challenge for a city of high rises. Passive House design, nonetheless, is attainable for the understory (1-5 story bldgs) on the city’s skyline, as explained by Urban Green Council Director Russell Unger. Photo: (951 Pacific Bklyn, Paul Castrucci Architect). Online link to story.