Wallingford Passive Solar House

Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania

Composed of a cluster of volumes, marked prominently by a gabled roof form, the Wallingford Passive Solar House combines modern architecture, environmental responsibility, and a flexible open floor plan that fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and with each other. Framed in exposed steel with expansive windows, the house uses exterior views and shifting patterns of light to establish a dialogue with its surroundings, leading to a physical awareness of the sun's movement throughout the day and the seasons. Natural materials including Douglas fir timber framing, stained oak floors, Pennsylvania bluestone, and Quartzite counters glow in the sunlight and add warmth to the modern interiors. Passive solar design strategies were used to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Sited on an east-west axis, the home’s main living areas and window walls face due south. Overhangs and canopies provide shade during the summer while letting sunlight penetrate to the deep interior during the winter. An extensive storm water retention system, geothermal heating and cooling, super insulation and air-sealing, and Passive House quality triple-pane windows ensure the home’s long-term efficiency and comfort.

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Modern home with Exterior, Flat RoofLine, Gable RoofLine, Glass Siding Material, Shed RoofLine, Wood Siding Material, Metal Roof Material, Stone Siding Material, and House Building Type. The home's main entry is accessed through a courtyard, and is marked by a prominent gabled roof form. Photo of Wallingford Passive Solar House

The home's main entry is accessed through a courtyard, and is marked by a prominent gabled roof form.

Modern home with Exterior, Gable RoofLine, Wood Siding Material, House Building Type, Glass Siding Material, Flat RoofLine, Butterfly RoofLine, Concrete Siding Material, Stone Siding Material, and Metal Roof Material. The home was positioned diagonally across the site, along a true east-west axis, allowing main living spaces and window walls to face due south. Photo 2 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

The home was positioned diagonally across the site, along a true east-west axis, allowing main living spaces and window walls to face due south.

Modern home with Doors, Exterior, Wood, and Swing Door Type. The home's main entry is accessed through a courtyard, and is marked by a prominent gabled roof form. Photo 3 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

The home's main entry is accessed through a courtyard, and is marked by a prominent gabled roof form.

Modern home with Hallway and Medium Hardwood Floor. A dropped steel beam draws occupants into the main living area and defines a circulation corridor through the open spaces. Photo 4 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

A dropped steel beam draws occupants into the main living area and defines a circulation corridor through the open spaces.

Modern home with Dining Room, Stools, Standard Layout Fireplace, Wood Burning Fireplace, Chair, Pendant Lighting, Medium Hardwood Floor, and Table. A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other. Photo 5 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other.

Modern home with Living Room, Pendant Lighting, Coffee Tables, Sectional, Standard Layout Fireplace, Wood Burning Fireplace, Wall Lighting, Bar, Chair, and Medium Hardwood Floor. A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other. Photo 6 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other.

Modern home with Kitchen, Colorful Cabinet, Medium Hardwood Floor, Quartzite Counter, Microwave, Range, Dishwasher, Undermount Sink, Range Hood, Refrigerator, Stone Slab Backsplashe, and Pendant Lighting. Natural materials including Douglas fir timber framing, stained oak floors, Pennsylvania Bluestone, and Quartzite counters add warmth to contemporary interiors. Photo 7 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

Natural materials including Douglas fir timber framing, stained oak floors, Pennsylvania Bluestone, and Quartzite counters add warmth to contemporary interiors.

Modern home with Outdoor, Pavers Patio, Porch, Deck, Back Yard, Walkways, Grass, Hardscapes, Trees, Large Patio, Porch, Deck, Concrete Fences, Wall, and Stone Patio, Porch, Deck. Triple-pane fiberglass windows, continuous insulation, and careful air-sealing ensure that the envelope remains ultra-efficient, reducing demand on the HVAC system. Photo 8 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

Triple-pane fiberglass windows, continuous insulation, and careful air-sealing ensure that the envelope remains ultra-efficient, reducing demand on the HVAC system.

Modern home with Kitchen, Colorful Cabinet, Quartzite Counter, Medium Hardwood Floor, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Pendant Lighting, Range, Range Hood, Undermount Sink, and Stone Slab Backsplashe. A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other. Photo 9 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

A flexible open floor plan fosters ample opportunities for a young family to connect with the outdoors and each other.

Modern home with Exterior, Flat RoofLine, Gable RoofLine, Stone Siding Material, Wood Siding Material, House Building Type, Metal Roof Material, Butterfly RoofLine, and Glass Siding Material. Environmental responsibility extends from the architectural design to the site, where a complex underground storm water retention system collects rainwater runoff and slowly filters it back into the landscape. Photo 10 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

Environmental responsibility extends from the architectural design to the site, where a complex underground storm water retention system collects rainwater runoff and slowly filters it back into the landscape.

Modern home with Outdoor, Concrete Fences, Wall, Back Yard, Trees, Large Patio, Porch, Deck, Pavers Patio, Porch, Deck, and Stone Patio, Porch, Deck. Overhangs and canopies provide shade during the summer while letting sunlight penetrate to the deep interior during the winter. Photo 11 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

Overhangs and canopies provide shade during the summer while letting sunlight penetrate to the deep interior during the winter.

A generous screened porch and open patios extend living spaces to the outdoors.

Modern home with Exterior, Glass Siding Material, House Building Type, Wood Siding Material, Metal Roof Material, Stone Siding Material, Flat RoofLine, Gable RoofLine, and Shed RoofLine. Spaces within the home’s four main volumes are designed to provide both separation and connection. The largest volume contains open kitchen, dining, and living areas, along with a master suite on the second floor, all oriented toward large south-facing windows. A single-story volume, accessible through the entry foyer, contains a home office and guest suite. A slender volume on the north side of the house contains lower-level service spaces, which connect to the garage and mudroom, while children’s bedrooms on the upper level are brightened by south-facing clerestory windows. Photo 13 of Wallingford Passive Solar House

Spaces within the home’s four main volumes are designed to provide both separation and connection. The largest volume contains open kitchen, dining, and living areas, along with a master suite on the second floor, all oriented toward large south-facing windows. A single-story volume, accessible through the entry foyer, contains a home office and guest suite. A slender volume on the north side of the house contains lower-level service spaces, which connect to the garage and mudroom, while children’s bedrooms on the upper level are brightened by south-facing clerestory windows.