Photography by ©2024 Norman Sizemore

How the Nexthaus Alliance Is Building Passive Homes Through Sustainable Design

Building a sustainable luxury home requires far more than standard construction methods and materials—it requires a carefully orchestrated collaboration of experts dedicated to environmental responsibility. Around the Chicago area and Lake Michigan, the NextHaus Alliance is proving what's possible when forward-thinking professionals unite around this mission. 

As a key member of the alliance, Barrett’s Technology Solutions works with an elite group of Chicago’s best home design/build firms. Founder and Architect Nathan Kipnis, FAIA, is renowned for his commitment to sustainable architecture, and Berliant Builders is highly experienced in environmentally friendly construction. Interior designers Janet McCann and Lauren Coburn bring their aesthetic vision and expertise, and Bob Hursthouse of Hursthouse Landscape Architects provides outdoor and landscape design, installation, and maintenance. The result? Homes that minimize their environmental impact while still offering the modern technology, aesthetics, and conveniences that high-end homeowners expect. Let’s explore the NextHaus Alliance’s impact in more detail below. 

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A Collaborative Alliance

When we joined the NextHaus Alliance in 2017, we recognized a shift in luxury home building, as homebuyers had become much more focused on environmental responsibility and efficiency.

“While sustainable building is not a new concept, we're only beginning to explore its potential impact through advancements in technology,” said Brian Perreault, President of Barrett’s Technology Solutions. “Residential technology has expanded its scope to also encompass aspects such as safety, security, convenience, and sustainability.”

The alliance's "High Design/Low Carbon™" philosophy directly addresses a crucial environmental challenge—the building sector currently contributes to 38% of all annual global greenhouse gas emissions.

What makes the NextHaus Alliance unique is an integrated team approach to sustainable luxury. Rather than treating energy efficiency as an afterthought, sustainability is woven into every aspect of design and construction. Kipnis Architecture + Planning creates building structures that work in harmony with the natural environment, and Berliant Builders ensures exacting standards in the construction process. Barrett's Technology Solutions works with the builder to prepare the home for technology integration such as entertainment systems, advanced lighting, and home automation. Working with designers Janet McCann and Lauren Coburn, we incorporate designer lighting and home automation solutions that optimize energy usage and resiliency while enhancing comfort, ambiance, and convenience.

Case Study: The Evanston Passive House

The NextHaus Alliance has worked on a variety of successful projects, including a recent noteworthy home for a prominent Chicagoan with a passion for sustainability. The house is built to rigorous air-tightness standards—30 times tighter than neighboring historic homes—while maintaining healthy interior air quality through advanced ventilation systems.

Barrett's Technology Solutions played an important role in making this home both sustainable and simple to operate and live with. Advanced features include designer lighting with warm dimming features that mimic natural light and a streamlined control system that complements the home's passive design features. The south-facing light shelf, for example, bounces natural daylight deep into the interior while the lighting control system automatically adjusts artificial lighting levels to maintain optimal illumination throughout the day.

What makes this project particularly impressive is its low carbon footprint. The all-electric home includes an induction cooktop, a heat pump for HVAC, electric water heating, and even a carbon-free vapor fireplace that provides the ambiance of a traditional fireplace without the environmental impact. Unlike many homes in the Midwest, there isn’t a natural gas or propane connection to the house. 

The ROI on Sustainability

Some might think: Sure, but is this sustainable approach really an investment or just more expensive? With a long-term view on the investment, the answer is yes. In one NextHaus Alliance project, the combination of passive design, advanced construction, and intelligent home technology resulted in monthly electric bills as low as $40—remarkable for a luxury home in the Midwest climate. Note that the actual usage was under $10 in a warm summer month. It is anticipated that over the course of a year, the home will be a true ’Net Zero’ home, with the excess power production from the onsite solar PV array that is accumulated during the summer months used to cover the reduced solar production in the winter. Beyond the worthy goal of being more environmentally responsible, these homes are also more comfortable, healthier, and more economical to operate over time.

Building a More Sustainable Future

The NextHaus Alliance can benefit homeowners in various ways. First, there's the high-end design aspect—these homes do not skimp on aesthetics or livability. Second, these homes achieve remarkably low operational carbon footprints (i.e., carbon generated from living in the home versus its construction) through sustainable design and materials and the use of renewable energy sources. Third, they deliver high performance through fully electric systems, exceptional air quality, and environmental resilience. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for homeowners, the design-build process is streamlined and low-stress. The integrated team brings deep commitment and experience in sustainable homebuilding to every project, ensuring a smooth journey from concept to completion. 

Are you ready to build a more sustainable or passive home? The NextHaus Alliance, including Barrett's Technology Solutions, is ready to show you how. Contact us here to get started.