Architecture

Since 2005, Onion Flats Architecture (OFA) has been recognized as an award-winning architecture practice educating, designing, and developing with our sister company, Onion Flats Development, high-performance, energy efficient buildings. Our approach to design and team management provides you with on-time delivery of beautifully designed, cost effective, high-performance solutions that reduce construction schedule delays, ensure on-going operational utility and maintenance savings, and deliver a superior healthy and affordable environment for your building occupants. 

Browse our services, view our lectures, and Contact Us to be your Trusted Advisor to help deliver your next project and achieve your critical goals.

Consulting

Passive House Certified Consultants

Onion Flats Architecture has in-house Certified Passive House consultants/designers, certified through both PHIUS and PHI, as well as Certified Passive House Tradesmen who have gained extensive experience developing affordable and successful Passive House projects, further enhancing our core knowledge. All energy and hygrothermal modeling is performed in-house and informs all aspects of our architectural detailing. Our holistic experience as designers / developers / builders of Passive House, Net-Zero-Energy-Capable buildings is inherent to our core beliefs and practice, and makes high-performance building design standard practice in our firm.

Modular Construction

Onion Flats Architecture gained extensive experience with the opportunities offered by modular construction since early 2000. As partners in a modular manufacturing facility for more than five years, OFA offers extensive experience, and understands the inherent value, opportunities, and pressure points in considering this method of detailing and project delivery. We provide consulting services in both modular planning, site suitability, financial analysis, and modular manufacturer selection.

Deep Energy Retrofit (DER)

With nearly three decades of expertise in development, manufacturing, and high-performance retrofits, Onion Flats Architecture (OFA) offers comprehensive architectural design solutions and construction administration, as well as consultation and guidance to Owners and other design teams throughout the lifecycle of their projects.

As a Solution Provider engaged by RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute) for their REALIZE Program, Onion Flats Architecture is at the forefront of developing a pre-manufactured Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) building wrap solution to address our nation’s inefficient building stock. We are actively engaging and helping to expand a network of panelized envelope fabricators and builders to deliver high-performance retrofits to our clients.  Additionally, OFA is developing a DER feasibility costing tool in collaboration with RMI, facilitating early project feasibility assessments and guiding clients through the initial project phases.

Green Roofs

G.R.A.S.S. (Green Roofs and Solar Systems)

Since 2010, Onion Flats Architecture has worked hand in hand with our sister company GRASS, a vegetative roof and rooftop amenity installation company.  As an early adopter of these green roof systems in Philadelphia, we worked directly with the City’s Water Department to help inform their storm management legislation as a way to help mitigate the City’s outdated stormwater infrastructure. Together OFA and GRASS can support other architects, builders and developers with the design and detailing of green roof systems for your next project.

GRASS Project Portfolio