Business Details
Sustainable Architecture and Energy-Efficient Design Services
We are a multidisciplinary architecture and mechanical design firm specializing in creating high-performance, sustainable buildings that enhance environmental and human well-being. Our team of architects, engineers, and designers combines technical expertise with creative innovation to deliver net-zero, passive house, and energy-efficient solutions for residential and institutional projects. With offices in Boston, Brooklyn, and Portland, we integrate mechanical design and energy consulting into every project, ensuring holistic sustainability from concept to completion.Our professionals hold certifications including Passive House Consultant, LEED Accreditation, and state architectural licensure, reflecting our commitment to industry-leading standards. We prioritize occupant comfort, long-term durability, and environmental responsibility while serving diverse markets across the United States. Our work has been recognized through media features, industry awards, and partnerships with public housing authorities and sustainability organizations.
Services
Custom Home Design
Multifamily Architecture
Energy Consulting
Mechanical Design
Passive House Consulting
Net Zero Building Design
Sustainable Architecture
LEED Certification Services
Deep Energy Retrofit
Affordable Housing Development
Highlights and features
- We integrate mechanical design and energy consulting with architectural services for holistic sustainability.
- Our team includes Certified Passive House Consultants and LEED Accredited Professionals.
- We maintain offices in Boston, Brooklyn, and Portland for regional project expertise.
- Our projects have achieved national sustainability awards and media recognition.
- We combine 25+ years of architectural experience with cutting-edge energy performance standards.
Associations and certifications
- WBE-Certified
Services
Custom Home Design
We design high-performance single-family residences that combine modern aesthetics with net-zero energy capabilities. Our approach integrates passive house principles, advanced mechanical systems, and site-specific design to create homes that minimize environmental impact while maximizing occupant comfort. Each project benefits from in-house energy modeling and mechanical engineering expertise to ensure optimal performance.
Multifamily Architecture
Our firm specializes in sustainable multifamily developments ranging from affordable housing to luxury residences. We deliver energy-efficient, code-compliant designs that address density challenges while maintaining architectural integrity. Projects incorporate passive house strategies, renewable energy systems, and durable materials to create healthy living environments that meet both regulatory requirements and market demands.
Energy Consulting
We provide comprehensive energy consulting services for architects, developers, and institutions seeking to achieve high-performance building standards. Our consultants specialize in passive house certification, energy modeling, and mechanical system optimization. Through early-stage collaboration, we help clients meet net-zero targets, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance with evolving sustainability regulations.
Mechanical Design
Our in-house mechanical design team creates customized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems tailored to high-performance buildings. We specialize in specifying energy-efficient equipment, designing heat recovery ventilation systems, and integrating renewable energy sources. Our engineers work closely with architects to ensure mechanical systems enhance rather than compromise architectural intent while maintaining occupant comfort.
Passive House Consulting
We offer expert guidance for achieving Passive House Institute certification through strategic design interventions and performance analysis. Our consultants conduct thermal bridging assessments, air tightness testing, and energy balance calculations to meet rigorous international standards. We support projects from initial concept through certification documentation, ensuring compliance with the world's most demanding energy efficiency requirements.
People
Stephanie
Managing Director
Stephanie leads net-zero and Passive House projects while serving on Massachusetts design boards. She holds architecture licenses in six states and combines technical expertise with policy advocacy to advance sustainable building practices through education and industry leadership.
Jordan Goldman
Engineering Principal
Jordan specializes in energy modeling and HVAC systems, bringing technical rigor to mechanical design. As a Certified Passive House Consultant, he develops innovative building envelope strategies and renewable energy solutions while contributing to national housing award evaluations and industry education initiatives.
John
Senior Project Manager
With 25+ years of experience, John oversees complex architectural projects from concept to completion. He teaches at Boston Architectural College and applies Pacific Northwest design principles to New England contexts, blending academic knowledge with practical construction expertise across residential and institutional sectors.
Matt
Senior Architect
Matt focuses on sustainable architecture that positively impacts future generations. As both a Certified Passive House Consultant and LEED Accredited Professional, he balances environmental responsibility with functional design across diverse project types including residential developments and civic buildings while maintaining active architectural licensure.
Erika
Senior Architect
Erika specializes in multifamily housing and adaptive reuse projects, managing developments ranging from 40 to 195 units. Her expertise in hospitality architecture combined with passive house certification experience enables comprehensive solutions for complex urban environments while maintaining active Massachusetts architectural licensure.
Questions
What types of projects does ZeroEnergy Design specialize in?
We focus on high-performance residential and institutional buildings including custom homes, multifamily housing, affordable housing developments, and net-zero energy structures using passive house principles.
Do you offer services outside the Boston area?
Yes, we maintain offices in Boston, Brooklyn, and Portland, and have completed projects nationwide including California, Virginia, and the Pacific Northwest.
What sustainability certifications do your team members hold?
Our professionals include Certified Passive House Consultants, LEED Accredited Professionals, and state-licensed architects with expertise in energy modeling and mechanical system design.
Can you help with both new construction and renovations?
Yes, we specialize in new construction and deep energy retrofits, including historic building preservation and multifamily rehabilitation projects with energy performance upgrades.
How do you ensure energy performance in your designs?
We integrate mechanical design and energy consulting from project inception, using thermal modeling, air tightness strategies, and renewable energy systems tailored to each building's specific needs.
What makes your firm different from other architecture practices?
Our unique combination of architectural design, mechanical engineering, and energy consulting under one roof ensures holistic sustainability solutions without compromising aesthetic or functional requirements.
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Reviews (3)
Fernanda Chirico
Feb 10, 2021
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I like Their projects but it's hard to evaluate before, If I still don't commission my project. and live the experience. An urban farm in the middle of Cambridge with a cosmopolitan farmer's house with water reuse, sustainable energy and cross air will be much to ask for? 4 Stars because I haven't experienced it yet, but I like to trust
Randy True
Feb 17, 2019
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My wife and I found our dream house, and moved in just a month before having our first baby. It's a very contemporary design surrounded by green views of nature, and we have spent *a lot* of time in it over the last year. Thank you Zero Energy Design for creating such an inspiring and comfortable space!
Debra P.
Apr 05, 2018
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My husband and I worked with ZeroEnergy Design on the design and building of our home on Cape Cod. Their involvement started from the moment we saw the lot we liked through the day we moved in (and, of course, for the punch list process). Actually, they continue to provide support now, two years later, as we monitor our energy consumption and make changes to improve efficiencies. They provided a house design that took full advantage of their expertise in the design of energy-efficient eco-friendly homes while fully respecting our desire for a more "traditional" Cape Cod home. We also used ZeroEnergy Design to oversee/manage the construction process as we were 3000 miles away for the last seven months of the ten-month process.
