A Custom Home Built for the Long Haul

When designing his 6,704-square-foot Passive House in the mountains surrounding Scranton, Pa., home builder Louis Costanzo wanted a home that not only suits the current needs of his family but would also stand the test of time for years to come. The result is a modern four-bedroom home with a carefully thought-through design and durable materials used at every stage of the building process.

Designing a Home for Flexibility and Indoor Comfort and Health

Named Montem Villam, the home was built by Costanzo’s own home building company, LR Costanzo, with designs from Richard Pedranti Architect (RPA), in Milford, Pa. The home's design not only needed to be flexible for the growing family but also needed to have a healthy indoor environment with safe, quality materials and a layout that maximizes views and integrates the home into the surrounding environment.

“Louis was very dedicated to the highest quality building that he could build, so that's not just the materials but also how they're put together,” Pedranti says. “A lot of thought went into how all of the materials come together, and I think that was very attractive to Louis. He's a third-generation builder, so his ultimate goal was very high quality.”

Montem Villam living room with large glass door — The home's main living area features a large glass doorway for indoor-outdoor connection.

Raising the Bar for Sustainability

In fact, the home marks the first PHIUS-certified home for LR Costanzo. According to RPA, the goal was to build not just any home but one that would raise the bar for sustainable living in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The homeowners were initially inspired by a visit in 2012 to the area’s first Passive House. Several years later, the vision to build a similar home became a reality when they purchased a 10-acre parcel of land in Lackawanna County, Pa. The south-facing property features panoramic views of rolling hills and a nearby lake, offering an ideal setting for a home designed with the environment in mind.

The home is fully electric and has superior indoor air quality. External shades regulate passive solar gain, making sure the home stays comfortable year-round. Additionally, the home’s pool building and garage are equipped with solar panels for better energy efficiency.

The home’s build became even more efficient through the use of a prefabricated envelope and steel framing.

“I had the opportunity to spend time in Sweden and tour house building factories there,” says Pedranti. “[Prefabrication] is a very common process in Europe, and it really is the future of building here in North America, but we have building codes and builders that are very entrenched in not doing things that way. It is growing, similar to Passive House—a bit at a time.”

Montem Villam kitchen with white cabinets and wood detailing at the ceiling plane — Contemporary in design, the home's interior is light and airy with wooden elements throughout.

Adding to its indoor comfort, the home features bright, airy interiors designed by Shavertown, Pa.-based Sharon Lehman Designs. The interior of the home is contemporary in style with warm white paint, light wooden elements throughout, and large windows.

Expansive glass along the home’s southern side offers uninterrupted views of the natural surroundings, while retractable glass walls in the main living space connect to an outdoor seating area that features a wood-burning fireplace. A walkway from the outdoor living space leads to a pool with a detached pool building for added privacy and storage.

Montem Villam backyard with pool — A walkway in the backyard leads from an outdoor living space to the pool.

Exteriors Built to Last

The home’s exteriors serve as a visual contrast to the light, bright interiors, while some of the light woods of the interiors are also carried through to the home's exterior. Featuring a dark metal roof and glazed terra-cotta tile siding sourced from a local manufacturer in nearby Ohio, the home's exterior has the timeless look of cedar shakes but requires far less maintenance. This ultimately adds to the design without sacrificing quality materials, according to Pedranti.

“We used that material because it has a 100-year warranty," he says. "I don't know that there are very many other materials that have that qualification. And it's a handmade product. It is custom-made in Ohio for each project. … I think it aligns with Louis’ interest in this very high-quality and durable home,” Pedranti says.