About

During a design studio at UT Arlington in the 1990s, Neil Denari introduced Chris to the idea that a well-designed building functions as a holistic system that integrates natural forces and processes with the physical and emotional needs of its inhabitants, creating a synthetic environment in harmony with both. The interplay between the natural and synthetic is mediated by our human senses. Successful design achieves that harmony by resolving these forces into a unified whole, while providing comfort, safety, and delight.

In January 2010, Chris started a design-build construction company focused on residential remodels. During this time, he developed a prototype for a net-zero modular home. He was inspired by the 2007 Solar Decathlon winning project by the German team from Technische Universität Darmstadt. No one had ever seen a house like it. It was the definition of resilience and energy-efficiency. But “green” home design in the U.S. was exclusively aimed at the luxury market. But why should environmentally responsible design should be a luxury when we all share the same environment?

The 2007 Solar Decathlon winning project inspired Chris to design the Net-Zero Modular I Infill House, which was to be erected on a typical residential lot. It was designed on a 12′ module and leverages passive ventilation via belvedere-like roof lanterns that incorporate both clerestory windows and solar-powered mechanical ventilation.

Ten years later, Cameron Caja introduced me to passive house design, and together we designed Arkansas’s first Passive House, The Everleigh, a high-performance, carbon-neutral, multi-generational house to be built on an infill lot in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Cameron’s goal to make Passive House accessible to average homeowners resonated with me and continues to motivate me today.

This experience sparked the creation of The Tulsa Passive House in 2021 and The Bella Vista Passive House in 2022, both designed based on Passive House principles.

While many green building standards contribute to sustainable architecture worldwide, passive house principles make carbon-neutral, sustainable, high-performance, energy efficient architecture affordable. These principles, established in the 1970s, have been proven to be effective and achievable at scale. Each Passive House must undergo rigorous testing and certification at various stages of construction, ensuring alignment with performance goals at costs comparable to conventional construction.

Achieving affordable, resilient, and sustainable housing is the focus of Next Generation Living. We are currently developing modular prototypes that can be factory-built and certified to passive house standards. The next generation of housing will leverage smart-home technology, high-performance mechanical and electrical systems, and community-based power generation to achieve resilient and healthy communities that respond in real-time to changing environmental conditions.

At Next Generation Living, we strive to create thoughtful architecture that is rooted in the traditional and indigenous culture of its context, being fully present and modern, exploiting cutting-edge technology to design and build homes that will span multiple generations. Want to talk about your next home, office, retail, or church design?