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ENERGY
With every project, we assess the best way to integrate onsite energy production, utilize passive solar design, and harmonize the landscape with site and structure.
Our commitment
AWH is proud to be a signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, a national initiative working toward carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030. Through this pledge, we join a growing network of firms taking measurable action to address climate change through design.
As part of this effort, we've developed a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) to formalize and advance our goals across all project types—from adaptive reuse and preservation to new construction. This includes:
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Prioritizing passive strategies and performance-driven design
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Reducing both operational and embodied carbon
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Promoting healthier materials and reducing harmful chemicals
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Supporting equity, resilience, and long-term building stewardship
We’ve also implemented firmwide tools and workflows to track progress and improve performance year over year. These include early-phase energy modeling, project checklists at multiple design stages, and post-occupancy evaluations that help us compare projected vs. actual building performance.
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Each project we undertake is an opportunity to build smarter, healthier, and more responsibly—supporting both people and planet.
Material Pledge
AWH is a proud signatory of the A&D Materials Pledge, a collective industry commitment to prioritize healthier, more responsible material choices in the built environment. The pledge guides us to evaluate materials through five key lenses: human health, climate health, ecosystem health, social equity, and the circular economy.This means we aim to:
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Select low-embodied carbon products and systems
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Avoid harmful chemicals through material transparency and Red List awareness
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Prioritize durability, reuse, and design for disassembly
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Source materials that support just labor practices and responsible supply chains
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Reduce waste and promote circular design principles wherever feasible
Through our materials library, specifications, and ongoing collaboration with clients and consultants, we’re working to embed these values into every project.
Phius certification
At AWH Architects, we see Phius-Certified Passive House design as a leading standard in sustainable, high-performance architecture. Phius certification raises the bar for energy efficiency, setting rigorous targets that adapt to local climate needs. This approach results in buildings that use up to 80% less energy than traditional construction. Using airtight construction, high-quality insulation, and energy recovery ventilation, Phius-certified buildings deliver year-round comfort, healthier indoor air, and dramatically reduced energy bills.
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Our team includes Anna Koosmann and Jacob Dommer​, both members of the Phius Alliance, who work closely with clients to design buildings that meet their specific needs and environmental goals. We’re committed to creating high-performance, low-impact buildings that don’t compromise on design quality. From residential to commercial and mixed-use projects, we tailor each project to meet and exceed energy efficiency expectations.
Through detailed energy modeling, climate-specific design, and continuous testing, we ensure that every Phius-certified project meets the highest standards of performance. Our attention to airtightness and thermal bridging in design guarantees that our Passive House structures are not only sustainable but built to last.
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Choosing Phius-certified design offers clear benefits: lowered energy consumption, greater durability, healthier indoor air, and enhanced climate resilience. These features provide a substantial return on investment, making a positive impact for both clients and the environment. For those committed to sustainability, Phius design offers a way to create buildings that leave a lasting, beneficial mark.