Contact Information
Shape Architecture is one of Colorado’s leading sustainable architecture practices, with years of experience working on Net Zero projects and Passive House designs for residential and commercial clients. Reducing energy use, water, and embodied carbon, supplemented with clean power sources leads to dramatically improved indoor air quality, comfort, health, and durability. With our rigorous building science training, we are experts in whole-systems integrated design approaches and construction technologies. We aim to harness the power of natural systems to create healthy, beautiful buildings. Based in Denver, Colorado, we seek to create the best high-performance and radically sustainable design work in the intermountain west.
Nederland Passive House
The design for this 3,000 sf single family Passive House is set into the hillside near Nederland, nestled in a ponderosa grove with lovely rocky outcrops and spectacular views to the Eldora ski resort and Indian Peaks wilderness. Oriented to capture southern sun and views, this home is designed to resist the brutal winds and intense climate of its mountain setting. At over 8,000’ above sea level and Climate Zone 7, creating such a light-filled, comfortable home, requiring minimal energy to heat is a true engineering and design feat.
The residence is Passive House International (PHIUS) certified. Half of the house faces due south for optimal solar gain, while the other is angled to the southwest to optimize views and nestle perfectly into the steep topography.
