About

Sustainable Construction: Building a Greener Future with Passive House Standards 

At Madigan, we're pioneering sustainable living through our commitment to Passive House principles. Our current project in Worcester demonstrates how energy-efficient construction creates comfortable, healthy, and affordable housing. 

The Passive House Advantage 

The Passive House standard represents a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency focusing on: 

• Enhanced thermal insulation systems 

• Superior air quality through continuous filtered ventilation—reducing respiratory irritants 

• High-performance windows and doors 

• Energy recovery ventilation systems 

Our Worcester Project: A Two-Building Approach 

Our current development at the former Worcester Boys Club site showcases our versatility in sustainable construction through two complementary approaches: 

• An adaptive reuse of the historic 1930s Boys Club structure, transformed into 16 apartments and amenity spaces such as a gymnasium and a multipurpose room 

• A new five-story steel podium and wood-framed building housing 64 living units above a first-floor garage space 

• Total development: 80 affordable apartments built to Passive House standards 

This project also incorporates Worcester's first Air Rights development, an innovative approach that maximizes land use in an urban setting while respecting existing infrastructure. 

Historic Preservation Meets Modern Living 

For the original Boys Club building, our team has balanced historic preservation with the specific needs of older residents: 

• The original brick façade is being carefully restored while adding modern insulation for comfort 

• Historic windows will be replaced with new more efficient aluminum units that eliminate drafts while maintaining period aesthetics 

• Former activity spaces to be thoughtfully converted into 16 comfortable apartments and amenity spaces designed specifically for older residents 

The new building complements this approach with purpose-built housing. The five-story structure includes accessible design throughout including ground-floor parking, elevator access to all floors, and convertible apartments for handicapped accessibility. 

Sustainable Affordability in Practice 

This project demonstrates our conviction that sustainability and affordability are complementary goals: 

• 80 energy-efficient apartments with dramatically reduced utility costs  

• Mixed-income approach fostering community diversity  

• Variety of unit sizes accommodating different household configurations  

• Priority placement for local residents  

• Thoughtfully designed community spaces encouraging resident interaction  

The Passive House standards ensure that residents enjoy exceptional comfort with minimal utility expenses. 

Community Impact and Economic Benefits 

This development represents a significant investment in Worcester's community: 

• Addresses the growing need for quality senior housing in Worcester's urban core 

• Provides affordable, energy-efficient housing  

• Transforms a historic landmark into purpose-built living spaces 

• Reduces energy consumption and associated costs for residents on fixed incomes 

• Creates a healthy living environment that supports aging in place 

• Offers walk-able access to community services, reducing transportation challenges 

• Establishing a model for sustainable housing development 

• Supports local contractors and suppliers during construction 

By applying Passive House standards, we're creating environments that specifically address the comfort, health, and economic needs of older adults. The stable temperatures, superior air quality, and reduced utility costs directly support affordable housing 

The Future of Sustainable Development