The True North Way Apartment complex is a 56-unit residential community in Georgia comprising four 14-unit buildings and designed to demonstrate how high-performance building strategies can support long-term affordability, comfort, and durability. Developed by an owner dedicated to long-term property stewardship, the project leveraged the Passive House standard as a pragmatic response to both economic and environmental goals. Because utilities are included in the rent, reducing energy consumption was central to the financial model, making the Passive House approach an effective framework for achieving predictable, low operating costs.
Steve Scribner
Griffin Triplett
EMU Systems
Plan North Engineers
12,120sf x 4 buildings = 48,480sf
Bainbridge, GA
The project consists of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments organized around straightforward, efficient layouts. Materials and finishes are kept simple and durable, emphasizing functionality and ease of maintenance while still supporting generous, open living spaces. Although the project is not overtly expressive, careful attention to proportion and window placement plays a critical role. Window openings are carefully sized and located to balance daylight, views, and performance requirements—an essential consideration in the region’s hot, humid climate.
The building envelope incorporates continuous exterior insulation and a highly air-tight assembly to stabilize interior temperatures, reduce moisture loads, and improve overall comfort. Dehumidification emerged as the project’s primary mechanical challenge; right-sized systems were designed to meet these demands without excessive energy use. Heating and cooling are provided by efficient mini-split heat pumps, and balanced ventilation ensures consistent fresh air while supporting indoor air quality.
True North Way Apartment complex in Bainbridge demonstrates how Passive House principles can be adapted to multifamily housing in the Southeast, offering residents a quiet, comfortable, and resilient living environment while allowing the developer to meet economic targets. The result is a model for high-performing, community-oriented housing that maintains both cost control and quality at scale.
