Award-Winning Affordable Passive House Building for Seniors

Informed by Passive House design principles, Phase Three C of The Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony is a 55-unit, four-story mid-rise for seniors in South Boston – it is one of a handful of affordable multifamily developments in Massachusetts built to the stringent, energy-saving standard.

The 51,000 square foot structure reflects an important milestone in the decade-plus-long redevelopment of the Old Colony community, one of the country’s oldest federal public housing developments. The design features passive solar design and compact geometries to reduce thermal bridging, with a red and gray façade holding robust, heavily insulated walls. High-performance windows and a highly efficient HVAC system provide residents with a healthy and comfortable indoor environment by improving air quality and reducing contaminants such as mold. The project’s roof-mounted photovoltaic array also generates power to cut carbon emissions and boost sustainability and resiliency. A series of thermally broken metal fins act as solar shades bracketing many of the building’s window openings, reducing solar heat gain while also adding dynamic visual interest to the façade.

The building is far more resilient than traditional apartment communities in severe weather conditions due to very low air leakage and exceptional thermal performance. These types of developments maintain their user comfort for significantly longer in the event of power outages. As the number of severe storms and extreme weather events increases, this is another clear benefit of the Passive House approach, especially for seniors who are at much greater risk of negative health outcomes from extreme conditions.

This innovative project was recognized for pushing the boundaries of Passive House design and earned a design excellence honor in the low-rise multifamily category from the Passive House Institute US chapter (Phius), setting an important benchmark for affordable senior housing as the number of people aged 60+ soars nationally.

Previous award-winning phases, also designed by TAT, have been recognized by the Boston Society of Architects’ John M. Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing, transforming the neighborhood from outdated mid-century superblocks to welcoming mid-rise buildings and townhomes set within a walkable street grid and a variety of public open spaces. The comprehensive redevelopment and rebirth of the obsolete Old Colony public housing project includes more than 700 units completed or under construction.

Phases 4, 5, + 6 at A Glance

Phases four and five, also built to Passive House standards and currently under construction, will consist of 104 units per building – all of which will be affordable to households earning less than 60% of AMI. Fourteen units will be further restricted for households earning less than 30% of AMI. Extensive support services will be available to residents of the new transit-oriented development.

Phase six, the final phase, will include 89 units and first-floor commercial space dedicated to SPOKE’s headquarters – a community driven art program – with offices, an art gallery, and workspaces. This phase is designed to be fully electric, resilient, and Passive House certifiable.