By NextHaus Alliance partner, Lauren Coburn, owner of Lauren Coburn Interiors
When our client approached Nexthaus Alliance, their vision was clear: create a modern, sustainable home that celebrates natural light and seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces. This goal, along with the Evanston Preservation Commission’s requirement to harmonize with neighboring homes, set the stage for an ambitious project. Our team met that ambition with a collaborative approach to create Evanston’s First Passive House.
Working closely together, we wove sustainability into every aspect of the design. Each finish and feature was carefully chosen to reduce the home’s carbon footprint. The kitchen cabinets by Valcucine, crafted from recycled materials, the vapor fireplace, coal fly-ash siding, sustainably harvested wood flooring, and a metal roof composed of recycled elements are just a few examples of how aesthetics and eco-consciousness coalesce in this home. Architectural details like the family room’s light shelf serve as passive solutions, naturally illuminating and regulating the space to reduce energy demand.
In the interiors, we embraced natural materials, opting for locally sourced art and decor that tell a story. One standout is the vintage Asian screen, custom-cut to create a striking LED-lit alcove centerpiece. Steering clear of traditional wall coverings with toxic adhesives, we selected tiles made from recycled content, durable and beautiful, to add texture without compromise.
This project stands as Evanston’s first Passive House, built to PHIUS standards—a testament that sustainable, resilient architecture can respect historic settings while pushing modern design forward. The result is a home that not only meets the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility but does so with elegance and a strong sense of identity, comfort, luxury and home.
To learn more about Lauren’s sustainable interior design process, visit her Facebook and Instagram pages and visit www.laurencoburn.com.