Prescott Passive House was the sixth residence built by Studio 804 in Kansas City, KS and it posed unique challenges. The country was still trying to recover from the Great Recession of 2008 and affordability had become a more pressing issue in American housing. The pursuit of sustainability, especially in the use of energy, typically focuses on high-efficiency mechanical systems, creating an unproductive choice between sustainability and affordability. To address this challenge, the students of Studio 804 focused on passive design strategies for this house to minimize energy use while still targeting an eventual homeowner earning 80% or lower of the area median income.

In addition to LEED Platinum Certification, The Prescott House achieved Passive House Certification: a system that began in Germany and seeks to reduce building energy consumption for heating and cooling by 90%. The heating load Is drastically reduced by means of a super-insulated, virtually airtight building shell, broad Southern exposure and an energy recovery ventilator that provides constant fresh air and even distribution of heat.

LEED Platinum Certified Passive House Institute US (PHlUS) Certified