Project posted by Asit

Zenesis House

View 4 Photos

Location

Paramus, New Jersey

Year

2016

Structure

House (Single Residence)

Style

Modern

Black aluminum and cork facade materials balance heat gain in the summer and winter. A slab-on-grade extension was added to create 1 additional bedroom upstairs, and an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area on the first floor.

Southern wall used parametrics to passively shade thermally broken, triple-pane, argon-filled windows in Summer and expose them to direct sun in winter. Deciduous trees shade Eastern facade during cooling season, expose windows in heating season.

Open living area features over a 10' finish ceiling height, kitchen by PoggenPohl and Gaggenau, authentic Johannes Andersen dining chairs, hand-tied Persian rug, and 10 tons of quartz stone flooring over 302 tons of new concrete indoors.

Garage, constructed with windows from the original home, was relocated closer to the home and contains a solar-thermal and geothermal control room on its 2nd floor. Concrete driveway with exposed aggregate is insulated and heated with water pipes that melt the snow and ice in winter. Site of old garage is now a patio constructed of reclaimed concrete pavers.

Details

Square Feet

5484

Lot Size

7,500 square feet

Bedrooms

Full Baths

Partial Baths

Credits

Posted by

Asit

Architect

Raj Parikh, PE. Zenesis Engineering/Architecture

Interior Design

Zenesis Engineering/Architecture. Rachel Luptak, designer.

Landscape Design

ECL Landscape Designs

Builder

Zenesis Engineering/Architecture

Publications

From Asit

Engineer's own rebuild & expansion of his 3-bedroom, 3.5 bath home built originally in 1949 of typical 2x4 woodframe construction. Today it is a 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath net-positive-energy Passive House constructed out of non-toxic, salvaged, and recycled materials that can produce more energy, clean water, and fresh food than its occupants use. It can withstand sustained winds of 200 MPH, has indoor air cleaner than a surgical lab, provides all heating and cooling using only the earth and sun, melts all the snow off its own driveway and walkways, and captures every bit of rainwater and snowmelt from the roof and impermeable surfaces, purifies, and re-uses it. Designed and built by Raj Parikh (Engineer), Hitesh Parikh (Architect), and Asit Parikh (Passive House designer).