The Westcott

Project Overview

The Westcott, a 114-unit residential development, was designed to achieve Passive House Institute (PHI) Classic certification. But meeting the stringent requirements of the standard at this scale was about more than ambitious performance goals. It required close coordination, rigorous quality assurance, and ongoing verification to ensure that the targets established during design were successfully implemented in the field.

As the project’s Passive House consultant and verifier, SWA worked with the owner, architect, contractor, and engineering team to translate design intent into measurable results. SWA reviewed plans, specifications, and contractor submittals; conducted field inspections throughout construction; and performed intermediate testing, including window air infiltration testing, to identify and resolve issues before they affected whole-building performance.

To support certification, SWA’s Certified Passive House Designers (CPHDs) coordinated directly with our field verifiers to streamline documentation, testing, and quality assurance efforts. This integrated approach helped maintain alignment between project goals and on-site execution while simplifying certification requirements. Following construction, SWA completed whole-building blower door testing and provided the verification services necessary to achieve certification.

The successful completion and certification of The Westcott demonstrates how coordinated design, construction, and verification efforts can deliver high-performance multifamily housing with lasting benefits for residents and owners alike, including operational efficiency, occupant comfort, and long-term durability.