Bridging the Gap Using Passive House
Pittsburgh developer, Derrick Tillman named his company Bridging the Gap because it best describes his approach to development. “I consider Passive House a key to achieving the goals I set for energy and indoor air quality on my projects. This is how I bridge the gap between my financial interests and the interests of my future building occupants,” said Tillman.
Bridging the Gap set very robust goals for this Fifth and Dinwiddie development in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood. Not only are the buildings pursuing certification from Passive House Institute, but they also expect to receive RESET Air certification and Fitwel certification. The combination of these three certifications communicates a strong commitment to building occupants and the surrounding community. Using a Passive House approach to building science enables the achievement of the highest energy efficiency, while also setting the foundation for healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). RESET Air promotes continuous monitoring of IAQ and data efficacy, using only data accredited providers for the handling, and communication of IAQ data. Fitwel brings a public health perspective to strengthening the health and well-being of building occupants and the neighboring community.
It is no wonder the project team of AUROS Group, GBBN, MBI, evolveEA, Newcomb & Boyd, Waller Corporation and Massaro Construction are enthusiastic promoters of the $51 million development.
The smaller of the two buildings, Dinwiddie East, will double the size of an existing building, a former public works building, resulting in a 40,000 square foot, four-story commercial building that includes co-working spaces offered to the community at reduced rates, a dedicated space for clean energy job training, retail space on the first floor and a welcoming public terrace.
The larger, new building, Dinwiddie West, will support the goal of development without displacement by adding 170 units of housing, 20% of which will be affordable. While providing a community room, lounge and roof deck for residents, Dinwiddie West will also add retail at the ground level to support the daily life of the community.
“A proven and environmentally responsible design strategy, Passive House’s time has come,” commented Amanda Markovic, GBBN.
The Fifth & Dinwiddie project, as reviewed in Passive House Buildings Fall/Winter 2020 issue (page 58), will be another example that Passive House-based design, integrated with robust construction processes, then punctuated with transparent and accessible building performance data, aligns the interests of developers, building occupants, governments, investors, and communities. How many of society’s problems are we solving today such that everyone wins? Not many and the key to bridging the gap to reduce fuel poverty and ensure equitable indoor air quality is Passive House.
AUROS Group provides Owner’s Performance Advocacy support to Bridging the Gap, which includes Passive House certification support. AUROS360, building performance technology, sits at the intersection of building science and data science and demonstrates to building owners, developers, and funders how to design, construct and operate the highest performing buildings at the lowest possible cost.