This session explores how Passive House principles can strengthen outcomes in affordable and supportive multifamily housing. Using the 84-unit WSFSSH Lot 26 senior housing project as a case study, the design team shows how Passive House can serve as a flexible framework for advancing energy performance, material choices, resident comfort, and long-term operational value. The project’s integrated approach helped secure Round 1 Future Housing Initiative funding from HPD and NYSERDA and offers practical lessons for teams working within real-world budget and policy constraints.
Participants will learn:
Identify the core Passive House principles and how they apply in multifamily construction.
Explain why multifamily building typologies are especially well-suited to Passive House performance targets.
Understand how building form and density influence energy modeling and design decisions.
Describe how Passive House principles shaped key design strategies on the WSFSSH Lot 26 project.
Recognize how a Passive House framework can support broader sustainability goals, including materials and on-site energy strategies.
Heather McKinstry is a Senior Associate and Studio Director of the Housing Studio at Dattner Architects, where she focuses on affordable and supportive housing with an emphasis on sustainability and occupant well-being. She is a leader in Dattner’s Sustainable Practice Group and previously chaired the firm’s committee on building energy use.
Heather has worked on the design and delivery of four Passive House multifamily projects totaling nearly 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in New York City, including 425 Grand Concourse, one of the largest Passive House buildings in North America. That project received the NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Award and the 2022 PHIUS Best Overall Project Award.
This free presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 4th at 9am PT / 12pm ET and will be followed by a lively Q+A session. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry leader and engage with the PHA community. See you there!