The Tyler
East Haven, CT
Former high school turned Passive House senior housing
Project Overview
Vacant for over 20 years, this historic structure has been converted into a senior affordable housing development named The Tyler. Design and construction was required to adhere to Connecticut’s State Historic Preservation Commission (SHPO) requirements as well as the National Park Service standards. In addition to those requirements, Winn pursued certification under the Passive House Institute’s retrofit standard, EnerPHit. Because SHPO’s standards prohibit any changes to the existing façade, the team faced some challenging design decisions to balance the historic nature of the project along with the energy efficiency goals set forth.
Building Details
- 65,000 SF
- 4 stories
Project Team
- Developer/Owner: WinnCompanies
- Architect: The Architectural Team, Inc.
Services Provided
- Energy & Thermal Bridge Modeling
- Passive House Certification Services
- Testing and Verification
Certifications
EnerPHit
Project Features
Projected savings of 50-60% whole building energy demand
Energy recovery ventilation ensures excellent indoor air quality
High-performance heat pumps provide heating and cooling to the tenants
Through an in-depth thermal analysis performed by SWA in close coordination with Winn, The Architecture Team, Keith Construction, Inc, and the historic commissions, the team was able to balance energy goals, comfort of occupants, and durability of the building envelope without sacrificing historic character.
The final building envelope design includes an R-21 airtight façade using interior insulation, thermally broken double-pane windows in keeping with the historical context, and highly insulated roofs and floors, which will provide superior comfort critical to the health and wellbeing of the seniors who will live there.
Awards
2021 CTGBC Award of Excellence
Project image courtesy of WinnCompanies