In May 2009 my husband and I bought a deteriorated bungalow in Oak Park, Illinois - Mary Chris of Fourthickwalls.net, the first passive house in the Chicago region.

- Our goal: remove the existing structure and build an energy-efficient house for our family of four. The exterior will reflect the traditional appearance of other houses on the block, but the guts will mimic European passive houses, which use modern materials and rigorous design standards to create a thermal envelope so tight, no furnace is needed.

That's right: no furnace! Even during frigid Midwest winters, the interior of our Thermos-like abode will bask in lingering warmth generated by appliances, lights, electrical devices, body heat and sunlight. Since passive houses are still rare in the U.S. (approx. 12 pcs), my aim is to educate readers about the principles of passive house design as I follow the construction process and our first year of living in the house.

Ultimately, I hope my blog inspires other property owners to innovate with their own sustainable designs.

Video:

Fourthickwalls.net