By Michael Turton
The new home of River Architects at 178 Main St. in Cold Spring has evolved from a 19th-century blacksmith shop to a 21st-century showcase of passive energy.
The conversion began in November 2015 and was mostly complete by January.
James Hartford of River Architects said the project is expected to receive certification from the Passive House Institute as soon as the rooftop solar array is operational. The building will then be “net positive,” producing more energy than it consumes. The surplus will eventually be used to power an electric vehicle through a charging station installed during the makeover.
Hartford said the structure was raised 24 inches to accommodate basement offices and now provides “very comfortable, quiet working spaces in spite of the location just down from the busy traffic light.”
Photos courtesy River Architects
