Architecture for Sustainability

At TBDA, we bring your vision to life through our deep technical expertise and passion for design. From retrofits and remodels to new buildings, our tailored designs seek sustainable solutions for health, comfort, and function, ensuring your space is as eco-friendly as it is inspiring.

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Why Choose TBDA

By choosing TBDA, you get a thoughtful, responsive advocate with the highest level of expertise in design, energy modeling, and building science. Through years of research and implementation, we have developed cutting-edge design practices to deliver healthy, green, and impactful spaces built to last.

TBDA is a premier boutique architecture and consulting firm based in Oak Park (Chicago), a recognized leader lauded for our green building designs in residential and commercial/institutional projects.

By integrating Passive House principles, LEED design, and decarbonization strategies, we create energy-efficient, environmentally responsible buildings. Committed to sustainability and creativity, TBDA brings your architectural vision to life, balancing aesthetics with cutting-edge green solutions in every project.

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Our Architectural Services

Residential Design

From single-family homes to multi-unit developments, our residential work delivers sustainable design sensitive to client, climate, and context. Our portfolio is split between new projects and renovations, including additions and remodels paired with decarbonization retrofits.

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Commercial + Institutional Design

TBDA brings eco-conscious design to commercial and institutional architecture. Our work includes new and remodeled award-winning community and educational centers as well as gyms and offices, featuring efficient, resilient, and inspiring environments.

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Our Consulting Services

Passive House (Phius)

Our Passive House consulting supports teams seeking Phius certification, providing energy modeling and design support to deliver ultra-energy-efficient buildings. We believe green building must be energy efficient, and the Phius model offers the best path to comfort, indoor air quality, low energy bills, and long-term quality.

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Decarbonization and Deep Energy Retrofit

Our decarbonization consulting helps clients reduce their carbon footprint through energy-saving techniques, sustainable material choices, and retrofit solutions for existing buildings. Through building science analysis and energy modeling, we find the best solutions for each unique project.

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Explore Our Work

Discover our portfolio of sustainable architecture, featuring projects that redefine residential, commercial, and institutional spaces.

Starry Nights Farmhouse

WHEATLAND, WI

Phius+2018 Source Zero
Designed for Net Zero
Insulated Concrete Forms

Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center

OAK PARK, IL

Geothermal
ILFI Net Zero Energy (pending)
LEED Platinum

Fair Oaks Phius Retrofit

OAK PARK, IL

Phius+ CORE (Pre-Certified)
Deep Energy Retrofit
Historic Preservation

Acorn Glade Passive House

DOWNERS GROVE, IL

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
Passive House (PHIUS+2018)
PHIUS Source Zero Energy

Union Pier Passive House

UNION PIER, MI

Phius CORE 2021 (Design Certification Pending)

Phius Zero Historic Retrofit

OAK PARK, IL

Phius Source Zero
Deep Energy Retrofit
Historic Preservation

Net Zero Prairie Retreat

SANGAMON COUNTY, IL

Biophilic Design
Designed for Net Zero
LEED Gold

Age in Place LEED Home

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL

Designed for Net Zero
LEED Platinum
Passive House Design Principles

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What Our Clients Say

Our experience with TBDA has been incredible. They worked with us closely and made us equal members of the team as we designed and built our Passive home. When dramatic budget adjustments were needed, they stepped up and, even after value engineering, maintained the integrity of the original design. After 8 years in our home, they continue to be a strong partner and respond to any questions. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Tom S.

Owner of Acorn Glade Passive House

What truly sets TBDA apart is their unwavering dedication to client satisfaction. They took the time to listen to my needs, preferences, and vision for the house, and then translated that into a design that exceeded my expectations. Throughout the process, they were accessible, communicative, and always willing to address any questions or concerns I had.

Marvin H.

Owner of Woodford County Passive House

We worked with TBDA for our PHIUS Source Zero historic retrofit project, and could not imagine having worked with anyone else. The depth of knowledge that Tom and his entire team possess about passive houses, plus beautiful architectural design and just being all around kind and enjoyable people, makes working with TBDA a dream. Highly recommend for anyone looking to bring a low-carbon approach to new construction or renovation!

Nick S.

Owner of Phius Zero Historic Renovation

We hired TBDA to design a new construction home in suburban Oak Park, Il. We knew we wanted a sustainable project that was consistent with our goals and lifestyle. Tom provided an outstanding level of expertise leading to both Passive House certification and LEED Platinum certification. Tom was able to marry building science with building aesthetics to create a healthy, sustainable and beautiful home that fulfilled all of our expectations.

Shawna G.

Owner of Right Sized Passive Home

Tom and TBD Architects are one of the leaders bringing Passive House and Eco-Friendly design philosophy into their practice for their clients. Their work is excellent and I always look forward to seeing how they innovate to even higher levels with each new project.

Mark Miller

Principal of Mark Miller Architecture

TBDA’s commitment to transforming an aging mid-century house into a clean air, energy retro-fitted home has surpassed our expectations. My husband and I have allergies and live on a wooded lot. Every detail of the project from the insulation, windows and HVAC to the construction methodology was tailored toward a wonderfully healthy indoor environment without compromising the strong indoor/outdoor dynamic of the house’s design. Tom and the entire TBDA were extremely knowledgeable and dedicated and we are so grateful!

Sharon R

Owner of Mid-Century Modern Reborn

News

Live in a Passive House?

Have you always wanted to live in a Passive House? Now is your chance! Our Acorn Glade Passive House was recently listed for sale, and you can read more about it here.

Explore Design Insights from TBDA

Vote for TBDA’s Midcentury for the Next Century
Vote for the Only Decarbonization Candidate! Voting is now open for the AIA Chicago’s Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award. Our Midcentury for the Next Century is the only Renovation/Adaptive Reuse, Single Family Residential finalist to address the carbon footprint of the home. Every renovation is a chance to fight climate change. Help us spread the…
Cells in a Larger Organism: Reflections on the 2025 PhiusCon Keynote
Tom Bassett-Dilley reflects on his 2025 PhiusCon opening keynote — how TBDA’s growth paralleled Phius’s evolution, and where high-performance design goes next. I was honored to be asked to kick off 2025 PhiusCon with the opening plenary keynote. After I accepted the task, I swallowed hard and had that thought I’m sure many in similar…
20 years of TBDA: From Oak Park Startup to Passive House Leader
Tom Bassett-Dilley reflects on the last two decades of TBDA In the summer of 2006 I realized that if I wanted to pursue my ideas of architecture wholeheartedly–ideas of climate-specific conservation, adaptation of vernacular forms and local materials, and an ecological approach to building, I would need to start my own firm, something I’d been…

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