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.

Positive Energy Alumnus Corey Squire Wins 2025 Young Architect Award

We are thrilled to celebrate Corey Squire, AIA, a distinguished alumnus of Positive Energy, for being awarded the prestigious AIA 2025 Young Architect Award! Corey's visionary approach has profoundly redefined the role of sustainability in architecture, making him a true leader in the field.

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

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