Richard Pedranti Architect's Bakrania Passive House Named Green Home of the Year

The energy-efficient home was recognized by Green Builder Magazine for its sustainable design and performance.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Richard Pedranti Architect (RPA) and Under Construction Builders (UCB) collaborated to design and build the award-winning Bakrania Passive House in Milford, Pennsylvania. The home, inspired by the homeowners' desire for a healthy, energy-efficient living space, was named Green Builder Magazine's 2026 Green Home of the Year.

Why it matters

The Bakrania Passive House represents a benchmark for sustainable, high-performance residential design, showcasing how advanced building science and passive house principles can create comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient homes. This recognition highlights the growing demand for and viability of zero-carbon, net-zero energy homes.

The details

The Bakrania Passive House utilizes a state-of-the-art airtight envelope, featuring carbon-negative LP SmartSide siding, ZIP System insulating R-12 sheathing, and triple-pane Mavrik European windows. Paired with passive house design strategies, the home's energy needs are met by an 8kW solar array and two Tesla Powerwall batteries, allowing it to produce more energy than it consumes. Beyond energy efficiency, the home offers superior durability, exceptional indoor air quality, and lifestyle benefits like abundant daylighting.

  • The Bakrania Passive House was completed and recognized as Green Builder Magazine's 2026 Green Home of the Year.
  • RPA recently received the prestigious Honor Award from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NEPA) for the Niantic Net Zero House.
  • The Niantic Net Zero House and the Montem Villam Passive House were recognized as Merit Winners in the 2025 Builder's Choice Design Awards.

The players

Richard Pedranti Architect (RPA)

A premier architecture firm pioneering energy-efficient architecture for modern residential living, located in Milford, Pennsylvania.

Under Construction Builders (UCB)

The construction company that collaborated with RPA on the Bakrania Passive House project.

Smitesh and Lopa Bakrania

The homeowners who sought a healthy, energy-efficient home for their family.

Phius

The organization that certified the Bakrania Passive House as meeting the rigorous Passive House design standard.

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What’s next

The Bakrania Passive House will continue to serve as a model for energy-efficient, sustainable residential design, inspiring other architects and homeowners to pursue similar high-performance, zero-carbon homes.

The takeaway

The Bakrania Passive House demonstrates how advanced building science, passive house principles, and renewable energy technologies can be seamlessly integrated into beautiful, healthy, and comfortable homes that produce more energy than they consume, setting a new standard for sustainable living.