EcoFlats
Montgomery County
Proving the Model: How Collaboration and Smart Design Deliver Net Zero, Passive House Multifamily Projects at Market Rate
View Project Info View Project Info
EcoFlats
Log City Road, Amsterdam NY
3 Stories
168 Market rate units
86,093 Total sq ft.
- Black Mountain Architecture, PLLC
- New Construction
- Anticipated Completion: 2026
- Demo Award: $1,000,000
- EDS Award: $250,000
- PHIUS Zero
- ENERGY STAR - Multifamily New Construction
- Indoor AirPlus
Key Scope Items Studied:
- Exploration of PH integration
- Exploration of Net Zero Energy
- Reducing the cost of Passive House performance
- Evaluate embodied carbon of materials via Beam Estimator modeling
- System evaluation
- Backup battery energy storage
- Cost-competitive, low-carbon design delivery
Project Description
Key Findings
View the full report of EDS funded studies:
EcoFlats is an all-electric, Passive House Net Zero Energy multi-family, housing development located in Amsterdam, NY. Designed by Black Mountain Architecture, PLLC, the project spans 86,093 square feet across the 13 three-story building, offering 168 market-rate rental apartments. EcoFlats will achieve PHIUS Zero certification by featuring solar PV panels, solar hot water systems, individual energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and mini-split heat pumps for each unit. The development will include low carbon building materials like carbon-sequestering cellulose insulation, stormwater management ponds, and backup energy storage via batteries providing resiliency during extreme weather. Designed with contemporary Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics, the buildings will feature dark exteriors with natural wood accents, outdoor balconies or patios, and ample natural light. Residents will enjoy covered car parking with PV and EV chargers, easy access to local commercial districts, and walking trails, while also benefiting from healthy interior environments. Scheduled for completion in Spring 2025, EcoFlats will provide middle-income households with high-quality, energy-efficient housing in a sustainable communities.
Design Team Lead
Black Mountain Architecture, PLLC (opens in new window)
Project Team
Developer: Bruns Realty Group
Contractor: Ballston Mourningkill Associates
Early Design Support Project Scope
Funded early design study topics for the EcoFlats project include the integration of Passive House (PH) standards and exploration of Net Zero Energy strategies, with a focus on reducing the cost of achieving Passive House performance. The team will evaluate the embodied carbon of materials using Beam Estimator modeling to assess their environmental impact, while also conducting a system evaluation to optimize energy efficiency. Additionally, the incorporation of backup battery energy storage will be explored to enhance resiliency, and efforts will be made to ensure a cost-competitive, low-carbon design delivery that meets both performance and budget goals.
Proving the Model: How Collaboration and Smart Design Deliver Net Zero, Passive House Multifamily Projects at Market Rate
This report demonstrates that achieving Net Zero and Phius Passive House performance in market-rate multifamily housing is both possible and financially sound. Drawing on over a decade of collaboration and project experience—including the latest EcoFlats at Log City—the team shows how integrated design, low-carbon strategies, and smart planning can deliver high-performance buildings with strong returns. The report shares key lessons and replicable strategies to guide similar developments including some of the strategies below.
- Integrated Project Delivery
- Simple Form & Detailing
- Reduction of High-Carbon Materials
- 2x10 Exterior Wall Assembly with Dense-Packed Cellulose
- Low-pitched Roof Assembly with Loose-Fill Cellulose
- All-Electric Systems
- Heat Pumps for Heating, Cooling & Hot Water
- PV Carports
The Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support Program
Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support (EDS) Partners are qualified design firms that are elevating new design approaches for a zero emission future in New York’s multifamily buildings that prioritize occupant health, safety, and comfort. Partners are eligible to receive up to $1.50/square foot in direct funding per project, up to a cap of $150,000 per project, to complete carbon neutral research, modeling, early-stage applications for third party standards, economic analyses, integrated project delivery meetings, and more robust marketing and promotion plans to disseminate information out to the market.
Become an Early Design Support Partner