PPS's Festival of Architecture and Design: Sheridan Homes Passive House

Guided tour of Sheridan Small Homes Passive House Project with the project architects and developer. This program is part of Providence Preservation Society's Festival of Architecture and Design (Sep 26 - Oct 30, 2026). You can find the event calendar and information about all events here! Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac between Manton Avenue and Route 6, five 750 square-foot homes are arranged in a semi-circle, facing the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. Built to Passive House efficiency standards, they are all zero net-energy, with clean modern lines, visible solar arrays, and large welcoming porches. The Sheridan Homes (2021) were conceived in 2018 by nonprofit developer One Neighborhood Builders (ONB) as a model sustainable building project for small lots. RISD faculty Laura Briggs and Jonathan Knowles designed the homes with support from RISD students in their classes, and construction was completed by 40 men and women completing building apprenticeships through Building Futures. Hear about the history and design of the Sheridan Homes from project architects Laura Briggs and Jonathan Knowles, and ONB’s Director of Asset Management, Bancroft Soto, while we walk the site. We conclude with a visit inside one of the homes. Laura Briggs, MA, is a Senior Critic at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Previously, she was head of the Department of Architecture at RISD and Director of Sustainability at the Parsons New School for Design. Jonathan Knowles is a Professor at RISD where he headed up both the 2005 and 2013 submissions to the Solar Decathlon Competition. His degrees, a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Fine Arts, are from the Rhode Island School of Design. One Neighborhood Builders is a nonprofit community development organization dedicated to creating affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods in Rhode Island. Tickets: $40 General / $35 PPS Members All tickets are fully refundable up to seven days in advance of each program. After that, tickets are nonrefundable because we may not be able to sell the released tickets within a short timeframe. Thanks for your understanding!