Open House: 249 Palmer Neck Rd

Site Contact: Sara Holmes at sholmes@wyetharchitects.com

Location: 249 Palmer Neck Road, Pawcatuck, CT (https://maps.google.com/?q=249+Palmer+Neck+Road,+Pawcatuck,+CT+%C2%A006379&entry=gmail&source=g)06379 (https://maps.google.com/?q=249+Palmer+Neck+Road,+Pawcatuck,+CT+%C2%A006379&entry=gmail&source=g)

Site Description: This 1,850 SF single-story house replaced an old cottage next to a tidal salt marsh. The new structure is built to withstand the elements while also opening up to expansive views of the surrounding marshland. The project includes two attached studios to the north of the house, outside the Passive House envelope.

The best views of the marsh are to the east making window placement tricky. Deep overhangs block direct heat in the summer; west-facing glass overhangs are calculated to diffuse the afternoon light and temper excessive heat gain.

The 18” thick exterior double-wall assembly, filled with dense pack cellulose, has an inboard air barrier behind a service chase. The floor is 10 inches on EPS on top of a poured concrete slab, creating a thermal-bridge-free wall-to-floor connection.

Air-to-air heat pumps provide heating & cooling and hot water. A ducted ERV system brings fresh air into the building. A 24-panel photovoltaic system is projected to bring all buildings to net zero.