Princeton by Paltrin LLC

The Princeton Project redefines urban sustainable building by achieving rigorous Zero Energy Ready performance on a challenging infill lot, demonstrating that site limitations can fuel ingenious solutions. Our work lies in overcoming significant spatial and orientation constraints through meticulous material selection, advanced system integration, and collaborative construction techniques, all while maintaining a fully electric, high-efficiency ethos. Key innovations include:

1. Mastering Complex Conditioning on a Fixed Site:
   1. Multi-Split HVAC Ingenuity: Confronted with structural beams fragmenting the floor plan, we had to go beyond conventional systems. A multi-split system efficiently conditions three distinct open zones with individual heads, while a ducted minisplit seamlessly serves the upper-floor bedrooms and bathroom, providing optimal comfort and efficiency without intrusive ductwork chases in constrained spaces.

2. Advanced Envelope & Insulation Breakthroughs:

1. 1. Foundation Insulation Reinvented: We did not go with a costly ICF bid; we devised a high-performance, cost-effective alternative. Collaborating closely with the installers, we detailed the following sequence: installing Insofast panels to the concrete foundation then securely pinning 8" of continuous exterior EPS insulation with screws before backfill. This achieved exceptional thermal breaks and R-value rivaling ICFs with greater flexibility.
   2. Footings: working with the concrete contractor at the footing base we overcame their objections of using 3” of XPS below the footings. We finished of the footings by attaching 3” of XPS to the sides of the footings too
   3. Walls: Continuous Insulation & Air Sealing: Working with the insulation crew to install netting and fully fill TJI bays before exterior sheathing, we created two uninterrupted planes for critical air sealing (sheathing & sheathing), eliminating penetrations per bay and guaranteeing complete cavity fill, which was significant beyond standard "drill-and-fill" methods.

2. Optimized Renewable Integration Despite Urban Context:
   1. Strategic Solar Siting: Hampered by lot orientation, neighboring structures, and trees limiting south exposure, we maximized production on the viable west roof face. This pragmatic approach ensured on-site energy generation to offset the all-electric load within the site's real-world constraints.
3. European Precision & All-Electric Systems:
   1. Detail-Oriented Material Sourcing: We incorporated European-sourced materials renowned for their high-performance usage and focusing on critical details to enhance longevity and performance within the compact urban footprint.
   2. Comprehensive Electrification: The home features a cold-climate air source heat pump, induction range, and strategically placed high-efficiency appliances, including a ductless heat pump dryer in the main home and an all-in-one washer/dryer combo in the suite, heat pump water heater, ECM controlled adaptive recirculation loop