SGA-Designed Passive House Residence Hall at Williams College Wins IIDA New England Design Award 2020

BOSTON—SGA, a Boston and New York City-based national award-winning architecture, interior design, planning, branded environments and virtual design and construction practice, announced that the SGA-designed Passive House Residence Hall at Williams College has won the IIDA New England Design Award 2020 in the student housing category.

The New England chapter of IIDA hosted its 13th Annual IIDA New England Interior Design Awards last month, and the award ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Design Awards were created in 2007 to celebrate teamwork and showcase interior design projects throughout New England.

Designed by SGA, Garfield House at the Williams College in Williamstown, MA is a 40-bed, suite-style residence hall comprising 16,500 square feet. It offers students common space, a kitchen, and a billiard room. Construction materials include enhanced wood framing and structural insulated panel systems.

Garfield House is designed to meet Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) standards and is in the process of being certified.

This project has a targeted EUI (Energy Use Intensity) of 28. To meet these rigorous standards of energy efficiency, the building relies on a well-insulated, thermal bridge free and airtight building envelope, as well as passive ventilation and phase change materials for cooling. These measures lead not only to energy savings, but also a potential 50-80% reduction in operating energy costs.

“We’re excited to receive this honor from our peers at IIDA’s New England Chapter and would like to thank the judges,” said SGA Founding Partner Al Spagnolo, AIA, NCARB.