Passive House in White Salmon

Enabling Climate Aligned Construction with BioLOCK® 2.0 

The Spring Street Passive House, developed by Kristof and Diana Irwin, was designed as a high-performance residence centered on occupant health, exceptional energy efficiency, and meaningful reductions in lifecycle carbon. From the outset, the project team prioritized materials and construction strategies that would minimize environmental impact while supporting long term durability and resilience. Recognizing that a building’s carbon footprint begins with the materials beneath it, the foundation became an important opportunity to align structural performance with climate goals. 

Solid Carbon partnered with Gorge Crete to batch and deliver concrete enhanced with 50 pounds per cubic yard of BioLOCK® 2.0 Carbon Sequestering Additive. Produced from waste biomass, BioLOCK stores stable biogenic carbon directly within the concrete matrix, effectively turning the foundation into a long-term carbon sink. Rather than treating concrete as an unavoidable emissions source, the Irwins chose a solution that actively contributes to atmospheric carbon reduction. 

This decision complements the core philosophy of Passive House design, which focuses on ultra-low energy demand, airtight construction, and superior indoor environmental quality. While these strategies dramatically reduce operational emissions over the life of the home, pairing them with carbon storing concrete addresses embodied carbon at the earliest stage of construction. The result is a more comprehensive climate strategy that considers both how the home is built and how it will perform for decades to come. 

The Spring Street foundation demonstrates that sustainability does not require compromise. By integrating BioLOCK 2.0 into a critical structural element, the project shows how forward-thinking homeowners, innovative material providers, and regional concrete producers can collaborate to transform everyday building components into durable climate solutions.