The Collaborative Legacy of Lake|Flato Architects and Positive Energy

The landscape of contemporary architecture is increasingly defined by the synergy between visionary design and rigorous building science. At the forefront of this evolution stands the enduring partnership between San Antonio based Lake|Flato Architects, renowned for their distinctive, context-responsive designs, and Positive Energy, an Austin, TX-based residential MEP engineering and building science firm. For over a decade, our collaboration has consistently yielded award-winning projects, particularly within the challenging environmental contexts of the Texas Hill Country and beyond. This blog post explores how our integrated approach to design has not only created beautiful and award winning architecture, but also offers invaluable lessons for the broader architectural community.

Architectural Design, Architecture 2030, Building Enclosure, Building Science, Environmental Design, Healthy Home, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Mechanical Design, MEP2040, Natural Building Material, Off-grid, Solar, VentilationPositive EnergyJune 3, 2025Lake|Flato Architects, Positive Energy, collaborative legacy, building science, human-centered design, healthy spaces, comfortable spaces, resilient spaces, residential MEP engineering, environmental conservation, resource conservation, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, integrated design, architectural vision, engineering expertise, human well-being, Marfa Ranch, rammed earth, thermal mass, passive heating, passive cooling, moisture management, award-winning projects, The Prow, off-grid resilience, net-zero energy, photovoltaic array, battery storage, solar thermal collectors, rainwater harvesting, energy modeling, window-to-wall ratio, insulation levels, Verde Creek Ranch, solar array, Tesla batteries, energy independence, Confluence Park, sustainable design, biomimicry, green roof, urban regeneration, Madrone Mesa Ranch, Fall Creek Residence, River Bend Residence, Hog Pen Creek Residence, sustainable architecture

Award-Winning Architecture with Alterstudio and Positive Energy

The architectural landscape in Austin, Texas, has been profoundly shaped by a unique and enduring partnership between Alterstudio Architects, a firm celebrated for its deep commitment to the design process and exceptional residential projects, and Positive Energy, a pioneering residential MEP engineering and building science firm. This collaboration has consistently pushed the boundaries of conventional design and construction, resulting in stunning pieces of residential architecture that are not only aesthetically remarkable but also embody comfort, health, and inspiration.1 Their combined expertise has been instrumental in translating architectural vision into tangible, high-performance spaces.

Positive Energy's Education and Advocacy Efforts

Our comprehensive approach to MEP engineering and building science consulting is deeply rooted in a strategic vision that extends far beyond individual project delivery. Our commitment to the idea of "Healthy people, healthy planet” is unwavering. It is not just a statement, but a guiding principle that permeates our extensive education and advocacy efforts. Through the firm’s Building Science Blog and The Building Science Podcast, we aim to actively cultivate knowledge everywhere we can, demystifying complex technical concepts like indoor air quality and intricate wall assembly dynamics for architects and the broader industry. This accessible knowledge transfer empowers architects to confidently integrate advanced building science into their designs, mitigating risks and ensuring the long-term performance and durability of their projects.

Architectural Design, Building Science, Code, Electrification, Embodied Carbon, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, Passive House, Phius, Natural Building Material, Mechanical Design, MEP2040, Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, Heat PumpsPositive EnergyJune 2, 2025Positive Energy, MEP engineering, building science, high-end residential architecture, healthy spaces, comfortable spaces, resilient spaces, human-centered design, MEP design/engineering, custom home market, mission, conditioned space, employee well-being, project partner relationships, "Healthy people, healthy planet" vision, collaboration, architects, contractors, owner representatives, lived experience of architecture, indoor space upgrade, mission-focused engineering, healthier indoor environments, electrification, fossil fuel solutions, education, advocacy, market development, high-performance buildings, AEC industry, building science blog, Building Science Podcast, technical information, continual learning, educational content, blog posts, building resilience, energy systems, building enclosures, indoor air quality, moisture dynamics, wall assemblies, ventilation strategies, sealed attics, dehumidification, roof assemblies, "ping pong water, " indoor air pollution, IAQ code, fossil gas appliance emissions, electrification of domestic hot water, hydronic systems, natural building materials, biophilic design, net-zero energy, carbon footprints, risk mitigation, podcast, Kristof Irwin, M. Walker, philosophical aspects of building science, ethics, aesthetics, systemic aspects of building science, high-energy physics, custom builder, AIA BEC, AIA COTE, human factors, integrating ethics and aesthetics, risk management in AEC, bioclimatic design, system thinking, industry transformation, technical solutions, IAQ and materials, material supply chains, philosophical society, critical thinking, speaking engagements, Architectural Paradigms and Adaptation, Building Science 2.0, Facades+, PhiusCon, Passive House, BS + Beer, battery capacity sizing, ASHRAE, AIA Austin Design Excellence Conference, Science and Storytelling, Code Change, ATX Building Performance Conference, True Sustainability and Regeneration, Healthy Buildings, Earthen Construction, Gulf Coast Green, International Builder Show, Testing Protocols, University Guest Lectures, Earthen Architecture, Systems-Thinking Lens, Cooling, Passive House in Emerging Markets, Climate Change, Building Envelope, Refrigeration Cycle, Mechanical Systems, Air as Material, Psychrometrics, Ventilation, Organization & Committee Memberships, ASHRAE TC-2.1, ASHRAE SSPC-55, ASHRAE SSPC-62.2, MEP2040, RESNET, AIA Austin's Building Enclosure Council, AIA Austin's Committee On The Environment, Phius Alliance Austin, Humid Climate Conference, Phius Alliance, BS + Beer Northwest Arkansas, Habitat for Humanity, Industry Publications, Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Journal of Light Construction, Radiant Cooling.

Feldman Architecture and Positive Energy Forge a Path to World Class Architecture

Feldman Architecture is a distinguished firm based in San Francisco and widely recognized for their creation of warm, light-filled spaces characterized by an understated modern aesthetic. Beyond the visual appeal of their designs, Feldman Architecture is driven by a profound commitment to addressing complex problems through design, aiming to significantly enhance human interaction with the built environment and the planet. This ethos finds a powerful complement in our work here at Positive Energy. We are a specialty MEP engineering and building science firm from Austin, TX, and share with our partners at Feldman Architecture a foundational mission to transform the delivery of conditioned space to society.

Architectural Design, Building Science, Electrification, Environmental Design, Healthy Home, High Performance Homes, Indoor Air Quality, Mechanical Design, Natural Building Material, Solar, Wildfire, Embodied Carbon, MEP2040, Architecture 2030Positive EnergyJune 2, 2025Feldman Architecture, Positive Energy, Santa Lucia Preserve, MEP Design Engineering, Title 24 consulting, sustainable design, architectural excellence, ethical design, building science, Living Building Challenge (LBC), Carbon Budget initiative, high-performance design, regenerative principles, technical expertise, aesthetic expression, contextual design, MEP2040 Challenge, carbon reduction, operational carbon, embodied carbon, electrification, building physics, design decisions, performance metrics, code compliance, aesthetics, emotional resonance, material selection, concrete, structural steel, aluminum, spray foam insulation, mass timber, wood doors and windows, locally sourced stone, low-carbon CMU, Red List avoidance, Curveball project, Fog's Edge project, Cloud's Rest project, Stone's Throw project, Modern Craft project, radical candor, intergenerational transfer of ethos, Climate Studio, Tally, energy modeling, daylighting, photovoltaic (PV) systems, AIA California Climate Action Committees, reach codes, advocacy, talent attraction, job turnover, collaboration, specialized consultants, ecosystem, jazz improvisation, role of architect, design constraints, 2030 Challenge, industry standards, business benefits of sustainability, "role power", human well-being, mental health.

A Building Science Dive into the Hill Country Wine Cave

The Hill Country Wine Cave, a distinctive architectural endeavor by Clayton Korte Architects, is intricately integrated into the natural landscape of the Texas Hill Country. This private subterranean structure is carved into the north face of a solid limestone hillside, designed to nearly vanish into its surroundings. Completed in 2020, the 1,405 square meter facility encompasses a tasting lounge, a bar, a restroom, and a dedicated wine cellar capable of storing approximately 4,000 bottles.

Wine Storage, Mechanical Design, Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, Heat Pumps, Architectural DesignPositive EnergyMay 28, 2025Hill Country Wine Cave, Clayton Korte Architects, subterranean architecture, Texas Hill Country, wine cellar, tasting lounge, bar, restroom, limestone hillside, excavated tunnel, board-formed concrete portal, white oak, Douglas fir, shotcrete-lined walls, steel and wood windows, building science, thermal stability, moisture intrusion, MEP engineering, Positive Energy, high-end residential architecture, human-centered design, Kristof Irwin, heat, air, moisture flow, thermal performance, moisture control, earth's thermal buffer, subsurface temperatures, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES), Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), passive thermal control, high-efficiency mechanical systems, temperature delta, above-grade environments, temperature fluctuation, energy demand, thermal mass effect, external environmental influence, "ship in a bottle" enclosure strategy, 3D scan, waterproof environment, drainage, water entry, moisture accumulation, sweating, moisture ingress, rainwater, groundwater, air transport, vapor diffusion, Building Science Corporation (BSC), Phius, RDH, source control, dampproofing, waterproofing, control layers, Water Resistive Barrier (WRB), air barrier, vapor retarder/barrier, drainage plane/cavity, rainscreen system, continuous insulation, SEER, HSPF heat pump, Goldilocks scenario, cooling, dehumidification, ASHRAE guidelines, indoor air quality (IAQ), humidity control, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), wine preservation, corks, off-gassing, ventilation, filtration, ASHRAE Standards 62.1, ASHRAE Standards 62.2, system thinking, high-performance design, collaborative design

The Theresa Passive House: A Blueprint for High-Performance Design in Hot-Humid Climates

The Theresa Passive House, nestled in Austin's historic Clarksville neighborhood, stands as a remarkable example of how architectural preservation can harmoniously merge with modern sustainable design. This 2100 square foot residence, completed in 2020, is not merely a renovation and addition to a 1914 Craftsman bungalow; it is a meticulously engineered dwelling that embodies rigorous targets in energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and responsible materials sourcing.[1] These ambitious goals were established by the Passive House Institute U.S. (Phius), a leading authority in high-performance building standards.

Architectural Design, Building Enclosure, Building Science, Code, Dehumidification, Electrification, Environmental Design, Filtration, Healthy Home, Heat Pumps, High Performance Homes, HVAC, Indoor Air Quality, Mechanical Design, Passive House, Phius, Solar, VentilationPositive EnergyMay 28, 2025Theresa Passive House, high-performance design, hot-humid climates, residential performance, sustainable design, architectural preservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, embodied carbon, responsible materials sourcing, Passive House Institute U.S. (Phius), Phius certification, PHIUS 2018+ Source Zero, ASHRAE Climate Zone 2A, photovoltaic panels, battery backup systems, self-sufficiency, resilience, Forge Craft Architecture + Design, Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects, Studio Ferme, integrated design process, building envelope, HVAC system, on-site solar panels, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) engineering, Positive Energy, building science, human-centered design, net-zero energy buildings, heating loads, cooling loads, source energy, airtightness, energy modeling, continuous insulation, thermal bridges, air changes per hour (ACH@50 Pa), air leakage, Blower Door Test, high-performance windows, triple-glazing, low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), balanced ventilation, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), dedicated dehumidification, right-sizing mechanical systems, comfort, health, durability, passive survivability, Winter Storm Uri, University of Texas research, climate-specific standards, moisture management, key performance metrics, site energy use index (EUI), renewable energy production, wall assemblies, water control layer, air control layer, thermal control layer, vapor control layer, wood frame system, mineral wool insulation, unvented roof, Marvin windows, indoor pollutants, combustion products, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5), ASHRAE Standard 62.2, ventilation rates, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump AC, Panasonic Intellibalance 1000 ERV, MERV filtration, heat pump hot water heater, climate resilience, extreme weather events, grid outages, source zero certification, community education, AIA Housing Award, Passive Project of the Year – Retrofit, Austin Green Awards, affordable multifamily housing, building envelope prioritization, mechanical ventilation with energy recovery (ERV) implementation, MEP systems integration, advanced air filtration, MERV ratings, active energy independence, photovoltaics, battery storage, MEP engineer collaboration, climate-specific MEP solutions, commissioning agent

State of the Art HVAC: Five keys to flawless space conditioning.

A Beautiful January Day In Austin

Positive EnergyJanuary 21, 2015Building Science, Positive Energy, Austin, Austin Texas