An 1850 workshop of a gunsmith in the Roxbury Crossing neighborhood is on its way to becoming one of the most energy-efficient homes in Boston. The design-builder Simon Hare earlier this year began the reconstruction of the cottage keeping in mind the Passive House standards. Hare’s firm, Placetailor, has incorporated structural insulated panels in rebuilding the structure with the original dimensions.
The super-insulated building has concrete flooring and the interior walls too use the same material. Concrete behaves like a “thermal mass,” capable of retaining heat in the winter or absorbing heat from the air in the summer, providing a soothing climate. The project is a demonstration of the escalating movement in the building industry. With the growing concern over the environment and energy now, builders and architects are inventing new methods to drastically cut the energy consumption for both newly constructed homes and retrofitted houses.