Passive House Victorian Retrofit

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Somerville, MA

Passive House: The Gold Standard of Energy Efficiency

NEDC builds Massachusetts' very first residential Passive House retrofit

The brief for this project was clear from the beginning: transform this uninspiring, vinyl-sided multifamily into a home that not only reflects the clients' playful artistic nature, but also adheres to the highest energy efficiency standards available today: Passive House standards.

A Passive House must create the least impact on the environment, while maintaining the highest comfort levels for its residents. Excellent air quality, elevated insulation performance, low-to-non-existent demands on natural resources are all parts of what qualify a home for Passive Certification. What the Passive House movement stands for is vital for the future of construction and the preservation of our resources. NEDC is a certified Passive House builder and we carry that distinction with great pride. Sustainability matters.

Why Passive House?

Modern flair heralding Victorian heritage

Built in 1885, reborn well over a century later: This home exemplifies that old can be new

With many desiring modern amenities and the comfort of a new-construction home, the apparent path leads to the purchase of a new home. But what if the architectural charm of yesteryear, the value of past work well done and materials expended could all have present contribution.

Can you achieve Victorian New England allure that carries modern comfort, without resorting to a tear-down rebuild? Our answer is yes. From a worn out multifamily, a modern single family Victorian is born—a refined home that boasts bold, playful design at every corner. Even the cat gets a custom pass-through bookshelf embedded into the design (see right)

In the kitchen, deep navy cabinetry meets a hand-set diamond tile backsplash in warm brick tones, while walnut lower cabinets ground the space in natural warmth. Upstairs, a vaulted tongue-and-groove pine ceiling brings warmth to the primary suite, and a sunlit dormer studio, framed by peaked windows overlooking the treetops, for the family's podcast studio. Even the bathrooms embrace bold color, each tiled in its own vivid palette — one a mosaic of jewel tones, another an explosion of confetti-bright hues — turning an everyday routine into something worth pausing for. In the living room, a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture invites guests and family to gather and unwind.

The result is a home that mirrors its owners: creative, confident, and full of joy. All achieved sustainably.

Read Boston Globe article

All too often, the people behind the build go unrecognized.

At NEDC, we run the credits, all of them!

Property Owner

Clients
NEDC
  • Private ResidenceClient

NEDC Contributors

Management
NEDC
  • David SuppleCEO
  • Linda DoeringCFO
  • Dan TassinariCOO
  • Josh LaPanCOO
Human Resources
NEDC
  • Linda DoeringOffice Manager
  • Kayo WycoffAsst. Office Manager
Business Development
NEDC
  • Ryan ManhoffBrand Manager
  • David SuppleConceptual Design Consultant
  • Tristan DeWittBusiness Development
Accounting / Finance
NEDC
  • Linda DoeringCFO
Production Services
NEDC
  • Josh LaPanProduction Services Director
  • Dennis LoveProduction Services Coordinator
  • Kareem PattersonProduction Services Coordinator
Architectural Design
NEDC
  • Grady Ragsdale, RADesign Director
  • Grady Ragsdale, RALead Designer
  • Joe WoodDesigner
  • Drew TessierDesigner
  • Alex MuentenerAsst. Designer
  • Spencer HalliwellAsst. Designer
  • Adam PaulAsst. Designer
  • Schneidee CyprienAsst. Designer
  • Jamaal SiddiquiDesigner
  • Kelsey BlackwoodDesign Intern
  • Natalie RosenbergDesign Intern
  • Jill HopkinsDesign Intern
  • Shruti KulkarniAsst. Designer
  • Brianna TorresDesign Intern
  • Aiden HealyDesign Intern
  • Victor Pagan-LugoDesign Intern
  • Caitlin KazunasInterior Design Coordinator
Construction Management
NEDC
  • Aaron NewellConstruction Manager
  • Chad ZgraddenProject Manager
  • Aaron NewellProject Manager
  • Cesar DaSilvaProject Support
  • Mike RockwellProject Support
  • Joe SousaProject Support
  • John MackenzieProject Support
  • Ryan HayesProject Support
  • Mike LayneProject Support
  • Dennis LoveProject Support
Carpentry
NEDC
  • Gustavo OsorioCarpenter
  • Gary BrownCarpenter
Quality Control / Warranty Lead
NEDC
  • Aaron NewellQuality Control / Warranty Lead
  • Josh LaPanQuality Control Officer
Media and Publicity
NEDC
  • Ryan ManhoffBrand Manager
  • Tristan DeWittPhotography Coordinator
  • Evan PerkinsMedia and Publicity Lead
  • Oz DallaserraMarketing
  • Kelly LeeCredits Coordinator

Design Consultants

Land Surveying
Land Mapping, Inc.
  • Rafal BorkiewiczPresident Land Mapping
  • Chuck VenezianoPrincipal
Structural Engineering
Testa Engineering
  • Richard TestaRegistered Owner/Engineer
  • Dori KimbowaStructural Engineer
Structural Engineering
The Dempsey Group, Inc
  • Rick DempseyOwner/Engineer
MEP Engineering
Revision Energy
  • Malcolm SonnettSolar Design Specialist
  • Tiffani WolfProject Developer
  • Dan AnastosDirector of Systems & Business Analytics
  • Erin LambertResidential Design Analyst
Energy Engineering
Passive House Institute of the U.S.
  • Mike KernagisCOO
Placetailor & WestWork
  • Liz HauverCPHC Passive House Consulting
Placetailor
  • Travis AndersonPassive House Consulting
Advanced Building Analysis
  • Mike BrowneCertified PHIUS Rater
Building Code Consultant
Building Code Consulting LLC
  • Richard Sampson, AIACode Consultant
Interior Decor
Dane Austin Design
  • Dane AustinInterior Design Consultant

Sitework, Structure & Exterior

Plumbing Cut & Cap
JFG Plumbing
  • John GallantOwner/Master Plumber
Electrical Cut & Cap
VMA Electric
  • Victor ArchilaOwner/Master Electrician
  • Greg CrandallVMA Project Management
  • Juan CarlosJourneyman Electrician
Demolition
Best Demolition
  • Rob VenturaOwner
  • Heovani GarciaDemo Technician
  • Antonio AugustoDemo Technician
  • Christopher RamosDemo Technician
  • Oscar DiazDemo Technician
  • Joao VitorDemo Technician
  • Roberto SouzaDemo Technician
Excavation
Dig and Pour Foundation Div LLC
  • Sydney AdamsOwner/Operator
Foundation
Dig and Pour Foundation Div LLC
  • BernieFoundation Crew
  • FernandoFoundation Crew
Grading / Sitework
Dig and Pour Foundation Div LLC
  • Sydney AdamsOwner/Operator
Framing
BPI Construction
  • Dan GanleyGeneral Manager
  • Andrew GomesFraming Estimator
Scaffolding
Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding
  • Lorna ShafferBilling
Window, Skylight & Exterior Door Installer
BPI Construction
  • Andrew GomesFramer
Roofing
Constitution Contracting
  • Paul TrischettaOwner
  • Dan HughesForeman
  • Marco MayancelaMetal Panel Specialist
  • Oscar MorochoMetal Panel Specialist
Siding & Exterior Trim
BPI Construction
  • Andrew GomesFramer
Gutters & Downspouts
Golden Gutter
  • Robin BernalGutter Estimation
Carpentry
AKI Carpentry
  • Alexandre Da SilvaCarpentry Owner
Sticks & Stones
  • Geilson OliveraSiding
Construction by Silva, Inc.
  • Francisco Da SilvaFraming
Masonry
P & F Masonry Restoration, Inc.
  • Peter FerreiraOwner
  • Fernando FerreiraOwner

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing

Plumbing
JFG Plumbing
  • John GallantOwner/Master Plumber
Electrical
VMA Electric
  • Victor ArchilaOwner/Master Electrician
  • Juan CarlosJourneyman Electrician
HVAC / Mechanical
Revision Energy
  • Dave RagsdaleTechnical Specialist & Installation
  • Clark CrawfordOperations Manager
  • James ManzerRegional Vice President
  • Nik FreemanTechnical Specialist & Installation
  • Samuel PillsburyTechnical Specialist
  • Frank KuteesaThermal Crew Lead & Installation
  • Gabriel FioriniJourneyperson Electrician & Installation
Audio-Visual / Low-Voltage
VMA Electric
  • Victor ArchilaOwner/Master Electrician
  • Juan CarlosJourneyman Electrician
  • Greg CrandellSonos Speaker System Installation

Insulation, Drywall & Interior Shell

Fireblocking
American Insulation
  • Jose DemouraOwner
Insulation
American Insulation
  • Jose DeMouraOwner
  • Luiz DeMouraInsulation Technician
  • Douglas BarbosaInsulation Technician
  • Robert Junior GregorioInsulation Technician
Blueboard
RB Drywall
  • RossiBlueboard Installer
  • BertrandBlueboard Installer
Top Construction
  • ThomazDrywall Installation
Plaster
Leal Plastering
  • Gabriel LealOwner
Framing Punchlist
Construction by Silva, Inc.
  • Francisco Da SilvaFraming

Flooring, Tile, Cabinets, Counters & Glass

Hardwood Flooring (Install & Finish)
Weles Hardwood Flooring
  • Sasha SerdiukOwner
Tile (All Tile & Backsplash)
MV Alpha Tile
  • Miguel FloresMaster Tiler
  • Melvin OchoaMaster Tiler
  • Javier FloresApprentice
  • Milton MoreiraApprentice
Cabinetry Supplier
Essex Bay Cabinetry and Design
  • Anthony CavalerriOwner
  • Bob WashburnOwner
Cabinet Installer
Essex Bay Cabinetry and Design
  • Anthony CavalieriOwner
  • Bob WashburnOwner
  • Jake KrikkeShop Lead
  • Christian HarveyApprentice
  • Angela MolnarOffice Manager
Countertop / Stone Fabricator & Installer
Onyx Marble and Granite
  • Jose MoraesOwner
  • Junior PerpetuoOwner
  • Jennifer PimentaSaleswoman
Glazing / Glass (Shower, Rails, etc.)
R&D Glass
  • Richard LiardoOwner
  • Jarrod LiardoInstaller
  • Brandon WalkeupInstaller
Finished Concrete
Black Bear Coatings & Concrete

Interior Finishes & Final Trades

Finish Carpentry
Ramos Finish Carpentry
  • Iran RamosOwner
Painting
Cirineu Painting Services
  • Cirineu SilvaOwner/Painter
  • Cicero SilvaPainter
  • Alexandre ClementePainter
Finish Plumbing
JFG Plumbing
  • John GallantOwner/Master Plumber
Finish Electrical
VMA Electric
  • Victor ArchillaOwner/Master Electrician
  • Juan CarlosJourneyman Electrician
  • Jake CarterFixture Installation
Finish HVAC / Controls
Revision Energy
  • Dave RagsdaleTechnical Specialist & Installation
  • Clark CrawfordOperations Manager
  • James ManzerRegional Vice President
  • Nik FreemanTechnical Specialist & Installation
  • Samuel PillsburyTechnical Specialist
  • Frank KuteesaThermal Crew Lead & Installation
  • Gabriel FioriniJourneyperson Electrician & Installation
Metal Fabrication
Leo S. Cavelier

Inspections & Approvals

Building Inspection Services
City of Somerville
  • Joseph SalamoneSomerville Building Commissioner
Footing Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector
Framing Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector
Insulation / Energy Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector
Screw / Structural Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector
Electrical Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Joseph MarinoElectrical Inspector
Plumbing Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Kevin KleinPlumbing Inspector
Wall Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector
Final Inspection
City of Somerville
  • Thomas CantillonBuilding Inspector

Landscape & Hardscape

Landscape Design + Construction
a Blade of Grass
  • Scott CornishOwner
  • Heather JonesOwner
  • Colin HandDesigner
  • Atila BuzasProject Manger
W.R Walton Contracting Inc.
  • Linda Walton
New England Woodworkers
  • Tim Thompson
Iron Tree Service
  • Austin Mclear

Site Support & Closeout

Site Cleanup Crew
Best Demolition & Disposal
  • Rob VenturaOwner
  • Heovani GarciaDemo Technician
  • Antonio AugustoDemo Technician
  • Christopher RamosDemo Technician
  • Oscar DiazDemo Technician
  • Joao VitorDemo Technician
  • Roberto SouzaDemo Technician
Final Professional Cleaning
Surface Works
  • Jeff KrabySalesman
Waste / Dumpster Provider
James Grant Co.
  • Dustin StricklandDispatch
  • Bryan NunesDispatch
  • Bob HolmesDriver
Portable Sanitation Provider
Clean Portable Restrooms

United Rentals

Container Rental
Eagle Leasing

Lift Rental
National Construction Rentals

Vendors & Suppliers

AeroBarrier / Air Sealing
A9 Green

Appliance Suppliers
Hudson Appliance
Yale Appliance
  • Chris TavaresSalesman
Blueboard Suppliers
New England Gypsum

Building Materials Suppliers
Boston Building Resources
Builder’s Warehouse
Kamco Supply Co.
Lansing
Marjam
Tractor Supply

Door Suppliers & Installer
Lizzie’s Garage Doors, LLP
  • Brad LizzieOwner
Finishes Suppliers
Build.com
  • Gary ClarkRepresentative
Crate & Barrel
DecorPlanet
eBay.com
Leighton
School Outfitters

Flooring Suppliers
Weles Hardwood
  • Sasha SerdiukOwner
Glass Suppliers
Advanced Glass
  • Matt KressSalesman
Hardware Suppliers
My Knobs.com
Raybern Hardware
Shattuck Hardware

High Performance Energy Products
475 High Performance
  • John DeansProduct Consultant
  • Oliver KleinProduct Consultant
HVAC Material Suppliers
S.G. Torrice Company

Landscape Suppliers
Site One Landscape Supply
  • Luke MilneLandscape Supply
  • Tom McCormickLandscape Supply
Lighting Fixtures Suppliers
1stoplighting.com
A Plus R
Hollis & Morris
Lightology LLC
Lumens.com
PracticalProps.com
RBW.com
Wayfair
West Elm
YLighting

Lumber Suppliers
AdvantageLumber.com
Arlington Coal & Lumber
  • Mike SelinasOrder Processing
  • Mark ThomasSales Representative
Boulter Plywood
Concord Lumber
  • Melanie TawaOrder Processing
  • John ChristoforoSales Representative
Home Depot
Lowes
National Lumber
  • Matt KressSalesman
Sterritt Lumber

Metal Trim Suppliers
Coastal Metal

Millwork Suppliers
Anderson & McQuaid
Van Millwork

Miscellaneous Suppliers
Amazon.com
Best Buy

Paint Suppliers
City Paint

Plant Suppliers
Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc.
  • Darren YoungPlant Supply
Plumbing Fixtures Suppliers
Salem Plumbing
  • Bryan FelkerSales
The Shower Head Store

Roofing Suppliers
16 Beacon Building Products
  • Alex MarlowOrder Processing
Heritage Wholesale

Sealing Suppliers
Seal-once.com

Site Office Suppliers
W.B. Mason Co., Inc.

Site Protection Materials
Protective Products

Stair Suppliers
Viewrail Stair Supply
  • Travis DowdySales
Stone & Countertop Suppliers
Onyx Marble & Granite
  • Jen PimentaSales
Sam White & Sons

Telecom / Internet Suppliers
RCN

Tile Suppliers
Habitus Outlet
Heath Ceramics
Roma Tile
The Tile Shop
  • Adrian BridglalSales
Tile Showcase
  • Alba EhrlichSales
Window, Skylight & Exterior Door Suppliers
Pinnacle Window Solutions
  • Amanda WilsonProject Manager/Estimator
Solatube

Media & Publication

Photographer
  • Megan BoothPhotographer

“The whole only holds when every part is counted. Run the credits. All of them. Every time.”

— David, NEDC  ·  Passive House Victorian Retrofit, Somerville MA  ·  2023