Three years later her developments are meeting the housing needs of the often-overlooked middle market for first-time homebuyers. All the flats at 21 Wensley are three-bedroom, two-bathroom units. 52 Fisher, which is in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood, features three two-bedroom and three three-bedroom flats and is topped by a PV array that is expected to offset most of the building’s energy use. Both developments were designed by Placetailor, an urban design-build cooperative specializing in hyper-sustainable housing.

Every unit in both developments has its own ventilation system, an ERV, that provides consistently superior air quality—a feature that continues to gain importance with the Covid19 pandemic. Heating and cooling are supplied by ducted mini-splits. Both of these buildings are all-electric. At 21 Wensley water heating is provided by a heat pump with the condenser unit lodged in the garage. At 52 Fisher, to optimize the space, electric resistance tanks are in each unit.

52 Fisher is on target to certify as a PHI Low-Energy Building. “It was very important to me to have an objective third party assess how we had done on energy performance,” notes Talje, adding, “PHI reviewed every detail of construction.” That review was especially important given the complexity of the structural detailing needed for this infill site and the transition from the concrete-and-steel foundation to the wood framing above. Addressing potential thermal bridges, particularly by having to box in exposed steel beams at the perimeter and in the garage, added unanticipated costs to the project. With the experience she has gained on these projects, Talje foresees being able to whittle down these types of detailing costs in future developments.

For now, she sees her mission as translating the Passive House approach into tangible benefits for future owners—benefits that include superior indoor air quality, very low energy costs, and a more comfortable and mindful way to live.