Envelope Matters - Passive Design Strategies that Cut Energy and Costs
This interdisciplinary panel explores how much of a project budget should be allocated to the building envelope, with comparisons across single-family, multifamily, and commercial projects. Through real-world case studies, panelists highlight how early design decisions—such as orientation, massing, façade systems, insulation, and airtightness—impact both performance and cost. The discussion provides practical guidance for developers and designers on balancing the cost of the building envelope with HVAC systems, helping teams make informed choices that support high-performing, cost-effective buildings.
Shannon Pendleton
Shannon Pendleton, Assoc AIA & CPHC (2012) & is Principal and founder of Sanderson Sustainable Design (2003), a certified Passive House Consulting and Architectural Design firm that leads design-build teams throughout the entire certification process. Through certified work that spans all building types and budgets, she braids place, client advocacy, and team engagement with proven techniques and case-based feasibility. A regular host and contributor to Passive House Accelerator & Reimagine Buildings Collaborative she also provides educational consulting to clients and committees at Source 2050, Nu Era Capital Corp, and Solebury Township. Associations include Phius, PHAUS, NESEA, GBI, Bucks County AIA, NCARB, GBU Passive House Community (Founding Member), Bergen County Technical School Advisor (BOD), Aquetong Watershed Association (President), and New Buildings Institute.
Anthony Gray
Anthony Gray, PE, CPHC, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, is Founder and Principal of Eco Steward Engineering, a sustainable MEP engineering firm specializing in high-performance building design. With over 15 years of engineering and construction-based experience, he designs environmentally responsible, optimal, and efficient HVAC and plumbing systems for commercial and residential applications. His work emphasizes integrated design, energy efficiency, building performance, and practical engineering solutions that support healthy, resilient, and sustainable buildings.
Matthew Testa
Matthew Testa is the founder and CEO of Livingsystems, an architect-led real estate development studio in Hoboken, New Jersey, built on sustainable systems theory. An AIA licensed architect who began as a carpenter's apprentice, he has spent over two decades across the full arc of development and participated in more than a million square feet of mixed-use projects, including New Jersey's first reinforced-concrete Passive House mid-rise. He is a member of USGBC's Market Leadership Advisory Boards (MLAB) and an appointed Commissioner of the Hoboken Housing Authority.
Benjamin Cohen
Ben Cohen is Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of ReVireo, an energy efficiency and green building consulting firm. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in energy code compliance, high-performance building design, and construction. Ben has completed thousands of HERS ratings and advised on a wide range of residential and commercial projects, working with developers, builders, and housing organizations. He is a certified HERS, PHIUS, and LEED Green Rater, as well as a PHIUS, ZERH, and NGBS Verifier and ICC Residential Energy Compliance Specialist. Ben holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Union College.
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On Demand Learning:
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Continued Education:
- AIA: 1 LU|HSW
- PHIUS: 1 LU
Learning Objectives:
- Identify passive design strategies that reduce building energy demand and improve performance across climate zones in the Tri-State region.
- Describe how high-performance envelope components—including insulation, glazing, and airtightness—contribute to energy and cost reduction.
- Explain how envelope-driven design decisions reduce HVAC loads, enabling more efficient and electrified building systems.
- Apply integrated design and collaboration strategies among architects, consultants, engineers, and manufacturers to achieve high-performance outcomes while meeting evolving energy codes.