Before & After: Redbrick Developers Passive House

This Brooklyn Heights Greek Revival Rowhouse lived a number of lives since it was originally built in 1846. Since 1951, the family of architect Herbert Kaufman owned the home, until our client purchased it. The Kaufmans used the home as a three-family building with an owner's triplex on the lower floors and two through-floor apartments above.

Our renovation provided the opportunity to go further than converting the building from three- to one-family. Alongside an incredible team, we designed Redbrick Passive House. The home is incredibly healthy, quiet, and well0buillt, resulting in Passive House certification. Passive certified homes are sealed from most bugs and dust, have filtered fresh air 24/7, serene interiors due to triple-glazed windows, and need almost no heat.

A brick rear facade with several levels. The garden floor leads up to the rear yard. The parlor floor has a deck with a table and charirs and gas grill. Another roof deck is accessible from the third floor. The top of the fifth floor is a furnished roof deck. — Throughout the home's early years, a series of additions and renovations at the rear of the house created an eclectic collection of spaces. We completely redesigned the multiple extensions and terraces to create one cohesive facade with a parlor-level rear addition.

Rear facade of a Brooklyn Heights townhouse. A two story extension has a sloped glass roof. On the third floor, a balcony spans the left half of the building. The right half of the building is clad in brick. — Throughout the home's early years, a series of additions and renovations at the rear of the house created an eclectic collection of spaces. We completely redesigned the multiple extensions and terraces to create one cohesive facade with a parlor-level rear addition.

Full-width kitchen in a Brooklyn Heights townhouse with light grey millwork surrounded by marble countertops, island, and backsplash. Four barstools are lined up at the built-in eating area on the island. The high ceilings are covered in paneling.

RedBrick Developers Passive House included reproportioning a number of exterior additions to create a single, wide, light-filled space to house a large kitchen. Originally, the owner’s kitchen was a small space in an extended corner of the parlor floor. The new kitchen spans the entire parlor floor in a newly designed extension. Atop the new kitchen extension, the primary suite includes a private terrace.

We restored the intact front facade and added Passive House simulated double hung windows, which allows light to pour into the restored parlor floor. The house also includes an elevator that spans from the cellar to the rooftop deck with NYC views.

Living room with a large marble coffee table and white couch, in front of a large, modern, marble mantel. Above the mantel is a large mirror. Above the coffee table, a large chrome chandelier hangs. On either side of the mantel, credenzas with aged glass mirrors provide storage.

Rooftop with bluestone pavers, a dining table and chairs, lush evergreen landscaping, and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. — Finally, finishing the roof created a new outdoor space with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.

Finally, finishing the roof created a new outdoor space with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.

This project was an incredible collaborative effort that included:

Redbrick Developers
Nadia Bartolucci of Douglas Elliman
Kleen Construction, General Contractor
bldgtyp, Passive House Consultants
Celin Munoz, Structural Engineer
RJD Engineering, Mechanical Engineer
Keron Sheridan, Staging Company

Photography: VHT Studios