Sharon Davis Design’s transformation of the building into a private residence posed a rigorous challenge of meeting both the strict regulations of the New York City Landmark Commission as well as the highest standard of green and sustainable design: a LEED Platinum Rating. Our studio successfully met these challenges by integrating passive and active systems into the design, without altering the building’s historic envelope. 

 In addition to new and existing perimeter views, a new central shaft provides daylight to the core of the lower two floors, where natural light from the perimeter is hardest to come by.

 Design innovations included the adaptation of skylights and a top to bottom atrium that bring natural light deep into the core of the building, while optimized sensors adjust solar shades and automatically turn off unused lights to conserve energy.

A host of natural and artificial lighting strategies are employed to dramatically increase the flow of light and air throughout. These include extensive skylights and a top to bottom atrium that brings natural light deep into the core of the building with sensors that adjust solar shades and turn off unused lights.

To combat the building’s poor thermal performance in an environmentally friendly way, we joined forces with Transolar, to develop a solar-heated hot water system, a heat recovery and water collection system, geothermal heating and cooling, and an extensive conservation and reuse plan.

The building will be the greenest family home in the city.

Winter Heating

A highly insulated, tightly sealed envelope and mechanical ventilation with enthalpy recovery helps minimize heat loss. Thermal mass stabilizes temperatures and allows the use of passive solar gains, and reduces peak heating loads.

Radiant heating from a geothermal heat pump provides the highest efficiency, comfort, and temperature stability.

A humidification system stabilizes humidity levels for health and artwork preservation.

A solar domestic hot water system provides hot water with minimal non-renewable energy use.

Active Systems 

The upper and lower units have different occupancy profiles, and therefore will have their own outdoor air system.

Summer Cooling

Solar gains and other heat gains are minimized through external shading and mechanical ventilation. Thermal mass stabilizes temperatures, while highly efficient mechanical systems cool the space.

Geothermal Well Direct Cooling Source
The radiant system controls temperature, as in winter (see illustration following page). Water at ~65°F cools the ceilings. This water is cooled by direct heat exchange (through a water to water heat exchanger) with the geothermal well, without any chiller operation. This yields a cooling performance that is much higher than a typical chiller system - up to about 10 times as high, depending on well pump power requirement. The size of the well pump depends heavily on the sizing of the water to water heat exchanger; therefore this equipment must be generously sized in.

Solar Control

Windows with high solar heat gain during warm weather are, wherever possible, shaded with highly effective external shading. The south facade, however, has highly reflective internal screens since exterior shading is not allowed, in accordance with historic preservation. Solar gains in New York City are high enough in summer that a reduction in solar heat gain is preferred. Therefore, in spite of the reduction of useful winter gains, a spectrally selective glass (high visible transmission with low solar gain) is preferred.

After the residence receives its LEED platinum rating, educational tours of the home will be offered.