Professionals

WORK WITH US
collaboration & referral

Teamwork is a key part of our practice and we’re continually adding to our network of trusted professionals. This is mutually beneficial; it helps us better serve our clients and is the basis for two-way referrals. We’ve identified some opportunities here, but we’re also open to other thoughts. If you have ideas on how we might work together, feel free to get in touch.

  • Between climate change, government regulation, and increasing consumer awareness we’re nearing a tipping point, like with electric vehicles, where high-performance homes will be both expected and required.

    The good news is that it’s not that hard to do. With good design and careful attention to detail, amazing results are attainable without a lot of exotic materials or techniques, and at modest additional cost. It does require high-quality builders, however, and coordinated teamwork throughout design and construction. Our area of service is geographically large, and availability varies, so need more great builders on our team.

    In addition to referrals to our clients for bidding, we like to engage our builder partners during design to develop budgets and optimize constructability. We find this to be a win-win. Our clients are better served, and you’re both compensated for your efforts and granted early input on the details. This also helps to build a trusted relationship between you and the client. There’s more about our process here.

    Our flagship projects target Passive House (Passivhaus) standards. To be a good fit for this, you’ll have an interest in sustainability in general, and a desire to innovate with us. We prefer builders who have experience in this type of project and/or who’ve completed a PHIUS “Builder” or a PHI “Tradesperson” training, but a genuine desire to learn and excel is most important. If you’d like to explore working with us, let us know.

    Here's more about our collaborative approach to design and construction.

  • We believe in careful planning before design, and we utilize the services of knowledgeable agents and brokers to assist us. A step in our planning process is the “Budget Builder,” which helps our clients determine the value of their property as-is, and after construction or remodel. They also look at alternatives on the market for a “build vs. buy” decision. We rely on, and refer, professionals from our network to help with comps and value estimates. If you’d like to be added to our team as an expert resource for our clients, connect with us.

    Another aspect of our planning process is available as a stand-alone service for real estate agents and their clients. The “Property Potential Analysis” (PPA) is a focused summary of development regulations and how they specifically apply to the property in question. It’s proven valuable to buyers evaluating prospective purchases, and to sellers who wish to highlight the opportunities for their property in more specific terms than “buyer to confirm possibilities with the appropriate agencies.” If a buyer chooses to work with us in the future, the PPA fees are credited toward our complete planning services. Here are more details about Property Potential Analysis. If you have a client who might be interested in this service, please contact us.

    Here’s more about our overall approach to project planning.

  • While our primary focus is on the optimization of our own design projects, we do occasionally consult with other architects to help them meet Passive House (Passivhaus) standards. We’re most interested in projects that are “groundbreaking” for us, in terms location and/or typology. Do note that this level of performance has significant design implications - it is not a viable late stage “add on” to a fully developed design. That said, if you think we may be of assistance to you, feel free to inquire.

  • This is the wave of the future. Between the increasing effects of climate change, ambitious goals set by regulators, and the public’s growing awareness of and desire for a higher standard of living, it is only a matter of time before Passive House (Passivhaus) levels of building performance become mainstream in California, as they have in Europe and other parts of North America. While the benefits are impressive, we view our approach as “practical idealism,” rooted in decades of physics and building science research with a track record of tens of thousands of successful projects worldwide. If you’d like to be part of this societal transition, please let us know.

  • More information coming soon....

"Graham consulted on our new home in Gualala, CA. I needed someone to help refine and optimize the design for Passive House Certification - with his scientific knowledge and construction experience, Graham was the perfect person to do so. Our working relationship was based on mutual respect and driven by an effort to push each other beyond the obvious. My wife and I have been living in our house for almost 7 years and continue to appreciate the comfort and efficiency every day."

- Matthias Oppliger, Architect

“Graham makes building the most technically detailed, efficient and complex Passive House homes easy. Graham is a builder’s best friend. His drawings are detailed and his designs are pragmatic, reasonable, efficient, and buildable. His homes are amazingly efficient, and he has the knowledge to help you build them, every step of the way. I’m so happy that our first two Passive House projects were designed by Essential Habitat Architecture. I don’t think we’d have succeeded as we did without them in our corner. Thanks Graham!”

- David Edwards, PhD, Founder and CEO, Earth Bound Homes, Inc.

“As an architect and a real estate investor, Graham Irwin is a master at seeing the hidden potential in a property. Having him review a property or plans makes me confident I will get valuable information that will benefit my clients. He’s easy to work with and can identify problems and offer solutions to those contemplating a home purchase, new build, or remodel.”

- Kimberly Strub, Real Estate Consultant, Coldwell Banker Realty

“Graham has been an important part of our business over the years. He has met with many clients to evaluate the best use of a particular property, researching with the local municipalities, and educating on potential options for remodeling and expansion. Graham is very knowledgeable in many facets of design/remodeling and building. I consider him a huge asset.”

- David Swaim, Owner, Tam Realty

"Graham Irwin and Essential Habitat Architecture were instrumental in our ground-breaking Sol-Lux Alpha project achieving the first PHIUS+ Source Zero certification for a multifamily building in California. I can say with certainty that without Graham’s assistance and help we would not have achieved this pinnacle of building efficiency. It was truly a pleasure to work with Graham and his team on this revolutionary beacon project.”

- John Sarter, Developer, Sol-Lux Alpha

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Graham Irwin, AIA, is a renowned expert on sustainable architecture and Passive House who has frequently presented at conferences throughout California, North America, and Europe. If you’d like to engage Graham for a presentation, send us the details. If you’re an event organizer who’s putting together promotional materials that include mention of Graham, please contact us for marketing materials.

JOIN OUR PRACTICE

While the availability and nature of opportunities with us varies, we’re always interested in hearing from people who can complement our skill set and add to our culture. You should be inspired by sustainability, interested in Passive House/Passivhaus, and passionate about great design. We’re amenable to both in-house and remote work arrangements, depending on the circumstances.

We’re a Vectorworks/Mac OS-based shop that leans heavily into 3D modeling and BIM. We also use SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, and other tools for rendering and visualization. We do in-house energy modeling with the “Passive House Planning Package” (PHPP) and “WUFI Passive.” We’re fervent about leveraging technology and process in the service of creativity and open to innovation and improvement. Whether you’re an experienced professional, licensure-track, or seeking an internship, if you think you’d be a good fit, please reach out.

NEXT STEPS

Want to know more about our innovative and collaborative process? It’s as innovative as our architecture.

We begin all our projects with careful planning. Read more about what we do and why.

Dealing with real estate? Want to understand the possibilities beforehand? We can help you!