# Ingui Architecture > Ingui Architecture is an award-winning New York architecture and interiors firm founded in 1977 by Ben Baxt. Michael Ingui joined the practice in 1994, became partner and president in 2000, and has led the firm’s evolution into an internationally recognized leader in Passive House, high-performance retrofit, and historic building renovation. The firm serves homeowners, cultural institutions, educational organizations, nonprofits, developers, and commercial clients throughout New York, with particular expertise in landmark preservation, adaptive reuse, and integrated architecture and interiors. The firm is especially recognized for demonstrating that historic buildings can achieve world-class energy performance through Passive House principles without compromising their architectural integrity. Primary areas of expertise: Passive House, high-performance retrofits, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, townhouses, brownstones, carriage houses, healthy buildings, interior architecture, and sustainable design. ## Leadership Together, Ben Baxt and Michael Ingui have shaped the firm’s evolution from a preservation-focused architectural practice into a recognized leader in Passive House, historic preservation, and high-performance retrofit design. - [Ben Baxt](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/about/team/ben-baxt): Founder of the practice in 1977 and principal architect whose work established the firm's long-standing expertise in preservation, sustainable design, and community service. - [Michael Ingui](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/about/team/michael-ingui): President since becoming partner in 2000, internationally recognized for Passive House leadership, founder of Passive House Accelerator, cofounder of Source 2050, frequent speaker, and architect behind many of the firm's high-performance retrofit innovations. ## Recognition - Winner of the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award. - Recipient of multiple AIA Brooklyn + Queens Design Awards. - Recipient of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Building Brooklyn Award. - [Recipient of the Brownstoner RADD Award](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/news/brownstoner-radd-awards-honors-michael-ingui) recognizing Michael Ingui's leadership in residential architecture. - Honored by Brooklyn Community Housing & Services for more than 25 years of pro bono architectural service. - Recipient of the One Brooklyn Community Partner Award. ## Firm Overview - [About](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/about): Explains the firm’s history, collaborative design process, Passive House leadership, awards, and community work. - [BIA Interiors](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/interiors): Presents the firm’s full-service interiors studio for homes, apartments, hospitality, and retail environments. - [Contact](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/contact): Provides the primary inquiry path for architecture, interiors, and renovation projects. ## Core Architecture Services - [Projects](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects): Main portfolio hub for residential, commercial, institutional, Passive House, interiors, and adaptive reuse work. - [Contemporary Townhouse](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/contemporary-townhouse): Curates townhouse renovations that pair historic exteriors with modern interiors, daylight, and improved circulation. - [Traditional Townhouse](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/traditional-townhouse): Highlights preservation-minded brownstone and townhouse renovations with contextual detailing. - [Apartments and Condos](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/apartments-and-condos): Shows urban apartment and condominium renovations focused on space planning, comfort, and livability. - [Commercial and Institutional](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/commercial-and-institutional): Presents work for schools, cultural organizations, offices, retail, hospitality, and community-serving spaces. - [Suburban and Country](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/suburban-and-country): Features residential work outside New York City, including rural, coastal, and suburban homes. ## Passive House Ingui Architecture is internationally recognized for pioneering Passive House retrofits in landmarked and historic buildings, demonstrating that exceptional energy performance and historic preservation can coexist. The firm designed the first Certified Passive House in a New York City landmark district and the first Passive House Plus residence in North America. President Michael Ingui founded Passive House Accelerator, extending the firm’s leadership through education, publishing, podcasts, and industry events. - [Health & Wellness](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/health-and-wellness): Defines the firm’s philosophy for healthy buildings, indoor air quality, occupant comfort, durability, and energy performance, explaining how Passive House principles influence projects beyond certified Passive House buildings. - [Passive House Projects](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/project-types/passive-house): Collects the firm’s certified and high-performance Passive House work. - [First Certified Passive House in a Landmarked District](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/first-certified-passive-house-landmarked-district): Documents a Brooklyn Heights Historic District retrofit that became a repeatable model for landmarked masonry Passive House renovations. - [First Passive House Plus in North America](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/first-passive-house-plus-in-north-america): Showcases a Carroll Gardens townhouse that pushed Passive House performance toward net-zero living. - [Upper West Side Renaissance Revival](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/manhattan-s-first-certified-passive-house): Presents a Manhattan townhouse retrofit combining historic restoration, Passive House performance, and LEED Platinum standards. - [Brooklyn Heights Carriage House](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/brooklyn-heights-passive-carriage-house): Demonstrates a high-performance conversion of a historic carriage house into a family home. - [Hicks Street Townhouse](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/redbrick-passive-house): Shows how Passive House performance can be integrated into a refined Brooklyn townhouse renovation. - [Neo-Grec Brownstone](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/neo-grec-passive-brownstone): Details the restoration and performance upgrade of a Brooklyn Heights brownstone returned to single-family use. ## Historic Renovation The firm’s work frequently requires collaboration with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and balances preservation requirements with contemporary performance standards. - [Cobble Hill Carriage House](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/degraw-street-cobble-hill): Shows the transformation of a neglected prewar carriage house into a contemporary residence. - [Brownstone Carriage House](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/brownstone-carriage-house): Represents adaptive reuse of a historic carriage house into a carefully detailed private home. - [The Landmark at Strong Place](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/the-landmark-at-strong-place): Covers the residential conversion of a historic Gothic Revival church. - [Park Slope Historic District Corner Home](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/park-slope-corner-home): Highlights a landmark district rowhouse renovation connecting interiors, garage studio, and outdoor space. - [Skylit Contemporary Carriage House](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/skylit-contemporary-carriage-house): Demonstrates how daylight, circulation, and contemporary detailing can transform a historic carriage house. - [Cobble Hill Queen Anne](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/cobble-hill-queen-anne): Shows preservation-sensitive renovation work on a detailed historic townhouse. ## Interiors - [Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse Kitchen](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/brooklyn-heights-designer-showhouse-kitchen): Demonstrates kitchen design, millwork, and residential interior architecture in a Brooklyn Heights home. - [Brooklyn Preschool of Science: Cobble Hill](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/brooklyn-preschool-of-science-cobble-hill): Shows institutional interior design for an early childhood learning environment. - [Brooklyn Preschool of Science: Park Slope](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/brooklyn-preschool-of-science-park-slope): Extends the firm’s school design experience into a second Brooklyn education project. - [Bolander Boutique Gallery](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/bolander-boutique-gallery): Represents boutique retail and gallery design with a refined interior focus. - [Asia Art Archive in America](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/asia-art-archive-in-america): Shows cultural and institutional design for an arts archive and exhibition environment. ## Geographic Expertise - [Brooklyn Heights](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/brooklyn-heights): Groups major townhouse, brownstone, carriage house, institutional, and Passive House projects in Brooklyn Heights. - [Cobble Hill](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/cobble-hill): Collects carriage house, townhouse, school, and adaptive reuse work in Cobble Hill. - [Carroll Gardens](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/carroll-gardens): Highlights Passive House, brownstone, and townhouse renovations in Carroll Gardens. - [Park Slope](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/park-slope): Shows residential, institutional, and landmark district projects in Park Slope. - [Upper West Side](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/upper-west-side): Collects Manhattan townhouse, apartment, Passive House, and LEED-focused work. - [Prospect Heights](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/projects/locations/prospect-heights): Features Brooklyn brownstone and townhouse renovation work. ## Editorial Resources The firm's editorial resources document its design philosophy, technical expertise, and contributions to the Passive House and historic preservation communities. - [Journal](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/journal): Provides design thinking, sustainability commentary, material insights, and project stories. - [News](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/news): Collects press coverage, awards, Passive House recognition, and firm updates. - [The Healthiest House is One of the Greenest](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/journal/the-healthiest-house-is-one-of-the-greenest): Connects sustainability, indoor health, comfort, and long-term building performance. - [ERVs: What Are They and How Do They Work?](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/journal/ervs-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work): Explains energy recovery ventilation and its role in healthier high-performance homes. - [Passive House Retrofit: A Systematic Approach](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/news/passive-house-retrofit-a-systematic-approach): Explains the firm’s method for improving existing buildings through Passive House-informed renovation. - [Architect’s Tips for Designing Your First Passive House](https://www.inguiarchitecture.com/news/an-architects-guide-to-designing-your-first-passive-house-architizer): Offers practical Passive House design guidance from the firm’s project experience. ## Related Organizations These organizations reflect the firm's broader leadership in advancing high-performance building education and industry collaboration. - [Passive House Accelerator](https://passivehouseaccelerator.com): Global education and media platform founded by Michael Ingui to accelerate adoption of Passive House and high-performance building. - [Source 2050](https://source2050.com): Marketplace connecting architects, builders, manufacturers, and owners with high-performance building products.