TE Studio, Ltd.

My wife and I purchased a passive house in the Summer of 2019 that TE Studio designed. We are very pleased with the way the house was designed. When we purchased the home, the basement was unfinished and we finished the basement before moving in (not consulting TE Studio about the design, we should have after the fact though). After finishing the basement we were constantly dealing with high humidity in throughout out first summer and during our first winter we were having issues with the preheater for the HRV (not part of the HRV). We worked with TE Studio to problem solve the issue and it was discovered that the HRV system was not working adequately to ventilate the home. We discovered that the HRV that was sized/designed to only ventilate/upkeep with the home being finished for the main floor and upstairs. Later it was discovered that the preheater was also not working (not part of the HRV). We worked with Tim and Zehnder (local rep in Duluth, MN) to figure out what air exchanger system would work best (went with a Zehnder ERV with an internal preheater) and after everything (installation and rebalancing the system), our home works great! TE Studio and Zehnder (rep from Duluth, MN) were so professional and responsive to our concerns and needs for the home. Also, TE Studio's consultation fee was well worth it and he spent much time outside this to help us through this long process. The only issue/frustration that we had throughout this process was not with TE Studio, but with working with a local HVAC company to get the new ERV installed properly. They were NOT educated on the science of a Passive House and the Zehnder ERV. After many frustrating interactions and miss-installations, we decided to go with the Zehnder representative in Duluth, MN, to review the system to assure that it was installed correctly and balanced appropriately. Lesson learned, when designing a Passive Home design, make sure you are working with a knowledgeable designer (like TE Studio) and make sure all of the contractors are knowledgeable with the systems that they are responsible for (like going with a HVAC company that actually installs EVR and HRV systems, even if you have to go outside your region). We are thankful for the home that TE Studio designed and for the vision they have for our nations home building.
Dec 6th, 2020

Nice bldg. Lots of space etc....
Jan 10th, 2020

Aug 12th, 2019

As Tims wife, I witness firsthand the time, energy, and passion Tim pours into his job. Building any house is a long and arduous process. The success of the process for a Passive House is based on many components; a house that is designed to fit the clients needs and to meet rigorous Passive House performance levels, the house being built properly to meet performance requirements, and clients being able to prioritize their needs/wants, articulate their feedback in a timely manner, and owning and communicating their budget. Educated and raised in Germany, Tims education and thorough knowledge of both design and building science far exceeds most American competition in this field. In addition, his background as a trained Master Carpenter gives him a unique, in-depth understanding of quality construction and building methods. True to German nature, Tim is refreshingly honest, transparent and to-the-point. He is a critical thinker who sees the big picture on every project. He is a strong collaborator, bringing together all the right players at the right times, always with the clients' best interests in mind. He consistently advocates for efficient and smart use of space, clean design, and cutting-edge building performance. He is a leader and pioneer in the field of energy efficient architecture, and brings years of successful experience to the table. His thoroughness in communication is unparalleled. Design is always an iterative process, especially when it comes to designing a house. Tim patiently and professionally guides his clients through iterations of problem solving to create buildings based on clients needs and desires. As is often the case in human nature, desires tend to overtake needs and usually need to be reprioritized. This is a natural part of the creative process, leading to design renditions to better align needs/wants to budget; ultimately creating a path forward for a successful project. If you are serious about energy efficiency, interested in modern design, and are ready to place your trust in an architect who will give sound advice based on expertise, TE Studio may be the perfect partner for you.
Mar 11th, 2019

Tim Eian and TE Studio understand that collaboration is the name of the game on any design project. Practicing Landscape Architecture, I have worked over the last six years with Tim Eian, on both personal and professional projects and always as part of the total team. He always respected and sought out the input I would have to a project. I have experienced his careful planning, establishing an interactive process so that communication was open, that it happened and every attempt to understand a clients needs occurred. This often took a long time and is very difficult. Tim, cares about what his whole team wants to accomplish. He is clear in explaining the ramifications of design solutions and changes, and always wants to have the very best aesthetic and functional response possible. Building a home is not an easy process and it takes a long time and a tremendous amount of patience and effort. I always saw Tim go the extra mile. Tim has significant expertise in architectural design, a keen aesthetic eye, a talent for bringing together a collaborative team and understands the systems and the technology he so passionately cares about. When you are seeking to build a new environmentally sound, sustainable, new home on a open site or remodel an existing home, I wouldn't hesitate to work with Tim and TE Studio.
Feb 24th, 2019