High-Performance Residential Construction

TDS Design Build is Madison’s Leading Contractor for Sustainable Home Building

Home sweet (sustainable) home

Picture this: new home construction that goes beyond merely looking good and being up to code but also works intelligently to keep you comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient every day of the year.

What is a high-performance home?

A high-performance home combines energy efficiency, comfort, health, and sustainability in a comprehensive, integrated approach. It uses the best principles from Net-Zero, Passive House and LEED standards to create what we in the industry call a “Pretty Good House.”

At TDS Design Build, we specialize in creating high-performance homes that go beyond traditional construction to deliver an unparalleled living experience. Our approach blends sustainable design, innovative building techniques, and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring your home is tailored to your vision, built to last, and ready to meet the demands of the future.

1. Energy Efficiency

High-performance homes significantly reduce energy consumption through:

Advanced insulation and air-sealing techniques
High-quality windows and doors
Energy-efficient HVAC systems
LED lighting and ENERGY STAR appliances

2. Optimized Building Envelope

We focus on creating a robust barrier between the interior and exterior:

Careful detailing to minimize thermal bridging
Strategic use of vapor barriers and air barriers
Proper moisture management to enhance durability

3. Indoor Air Quality

Our homes prioritize healthy indoor environments:

Controlled ventilation systems for fresh air exchange
Use of low-VOC materials and finishes
Proper humidity control

4. Comfort

High-performance homes offer superior comfort:

Consistent temperatures throughout the home
Reduced drafts and cold spots
Quieter interiors due to enhanced insulation

5. Durability

Built to last, these homes feature:

High-quality, resilient materials
Design strategies to manage moisture and prevent decay
Systems that are easier to maintain and repair

6. Water Efficiency

We incorporate water-saving features:

Low-flow fixtures and appliances
Greywater systems and/or rainwater harvesting

7. Smart Home Integration

High-performance homes include:

Advanced control systems for heating, cooling, and lighting
Energy monitoring capabilities
Integration with renewable energy systems like solar panels

8. Resilience

These homes are designed to withstand environmental challenges better:

Improved resistance to extreme weather events
Reduced vulnerability to power outages
Adaptability to changing climate conditions

9. Lower Operating Costs

While initial costs may be higher, high-performance homes offer:

Significantly reduced utility bills
Lower maintenance costs over time
Potential increase in property value

10. Environmental Responsibility

By reducing energy and resource consumption, these homes:

Have a lower carbon footprint
Contribute to overall environmental sustainability

TDS Design Build is the premier choice for custom high-performance home construction in Dane County. Our team’s extensive expertise in advanced building techniques, coupled with our tried and tested design-build process, ensures your high-performance home project is executed with precision from concept to completion.

Our defined process begins with a comprehensive consultation to understand your specific goals and lifestyle needs. This is followed by a custom design that optimizes energy efficiency strategies for Madison’s unique climate.

We bring together licensed architects, skilled craftspeople, and energy efficiency specialists under one roof, fostering seamless communication and integrated problem-solving throughout your project.

Our team implements high-performance building principles, focusing on superior insulation, air-tightness, and efficient systems integration. We use advanced energy modeling to fine-tune performance before entering the construction phase.

Throughout the build, we maintain stringent quality checks to ensure your home exceeds standard energy codes while providing exceptional comfort. Our commitment to transparency means you’ll have clear visibility into your project’s progress and costs at every stage.

By choosing TDS, you’re partnering with a forward-thinking team dedicated to creating not just a house but an enduring, high-performance home that enhances your quality of life while significantly reducing energy consumption.

With our proven track record in sustainable construction and deep roots in the Madison community, TDS offers the expertise, reliability, and personalized service to transform your high-performance home vision into reality.

The homes we build, whether you call them sustainable, green, or high-performance, are about creating living spaces that are healthier for occupants, gentler on the environment, and more economical to operate over the long term. Your home is an investment in your well-being now and in the future.

Experience the TDS Difference in Quality Craftsmanship

Whether you’re drawn to lower utility bills, a healthier indoor environment, or a home that aligns with your environmental values, TDS Design Build is your trusted partner for transforming these goals into reality in the Madison area.

Let’s bring your high-performance home dreams to life. Get in touch today!

High-Performance Home Projects

Cozy living room with large windows, plants, a red armchair, and a wooden dining table, illuminated by soft lighting.

Mud Lake Passive House

This custom new home built just outside of Madison completed in 2018 was designed using passive house principles and building practices. The design features two bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, an open living room/kitchen, and a mudroom connector between the home and adjacent barn/living space built by the homeowner.

Pool addition with underwater treadmill in this new home designed for aging in place in Oregon, WI.

Oregon Pool Addition

In 2012, TDS designed and built a high-performance new home using Universal Design/Aging-in-place standards. The 2016 addition of a pool house, complete with a heated resistance pool by Endless Pools® and an underwater treadmill ensures a lifetime of low weight-bearing exercise any time of the year. The addition is a great feature for a home designed with the client’s long-term health in mind.

Modern two-story house with a gray exterior, red trim, large windows, and solar panels on the roof, surrounded by greenery.

Oregon High Performance Home

Designed with the future in mind, this super energy efficient high performance home incorporates a 5.4KW photovoltaic solar system, passive solar orientation, double exterior walls and super thick levels of insulation. All materials were selected for their durability and non-toxic quality. Universal/aging-in-place design standards are infused throughout the home–including an elevator– which will provide a truly sustainable, safe, and healthy home for generations to come.