Historic OTR Renovation Recognized by the AIA
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has showcased the work of Sol design + consulting in Today’s Buildings for Tomorrow: Guide to Building Reuse for Climate Action. This guide provides practical information for architects on how to renovate existing buildings to help mitigate and adapt to climate change. The guide’s first case study examines the Myers Heckman Residence, a renovation and addition to an 1870 townhome in Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Sol’s design reduced the home's energy and water usage while maintaining its historical character.
“Cincinnati is a mecca for architects,” says Sanyog Rathod, President and CEO of Sol design + consulting. “On the one hand, it has over a dozen contemporary buildings by world-renowned architects—Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid. On the other hand, it has an unrivaled collection of historic buildings. These buildings are both a challenge and an enormous opportunity when it comes to sustainability.”
The Myers-Heckman Residence is a LEED Platinum, near-Net Zero Energy renovation of a masonry townhouse. The home’s historic façade was restored during the renovation, a new third-floor terrace was recessed for privacy, and a contemporary addition was seamlessly integrated into the design. The masonry was carefully preserved when adding insulation, high-performance windows, and a new roof to create a durable, healthy, and highly energy-efficient home. On the roof, a 9.9kW solar array produces renewable energy. The house also has a high-efficiency ground source heat pump.
The residence was awarded LEED Platinum Certification and won the 2022 International LEED Homes Award for Single-Family residence and the 2021 USGBC Ohio Green Building of the Year Award.
Sustainable retrofits can help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Retrofitting buildings improves resilience to extreme weather events such as severe temperatures, tornadoes, flooding, droughts, and fire. They can be designed to maintain a stable temperature, and the materials selected can contribute to better indoor air quality and help buildings withstand high winds and heavy rains. The indoor environment can also be quieter, with less noise pollution than a less insulated home.
You can find this resource here:
Today's Buildings for Tomorrow: Guide to Building Reuse for Climate Action
CATEGORIES: Press