The Rauch Residence: New York City's First Single-Family LEED-H Certification

The Building Studio Architects has earned New York City's first LEED for Homes ("LEED-H") certification for a private, single-family residence. The 3200-square-foot Rauch Residence is located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and was originally built back in 1939. The Building Studio's 1700-square-foot addition to the house included a number of LEED-standard green design features, including the installation of energy-efficient appliances, low-flow water fixtures, double flush toilets, and efficient landscape watering systems. The project has earned a LEED Silver certification from USGBC.

Design challenges for The Building Studio were merging the traditional features of the house with a more contemporary aesthetic for the addition in a cost-effective manner. According to partner Michael Goldblum, "[t]hrough innovation and creative design, we hope this project shows how we can build responsibly and affordably, even in and around New York, with its formidable complexities and costs." The Building Studio projects that its design should save approximately $1600 per year in energy costs, while the house should emit 5.5 tons less of carbon dioxide than a comparable, traditional house.

• Building Studio Architects Earns First LEED-H Rating (PR)