High-performance window donation for the Carver House project turns a condemned rowhome into a model for neighborhood development and passive house construction.
RAMSEY, N.J., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Wythe Windows, a visionary manufacturer of high-performance tilt-turn windows and doors, and the Requity Foundation, a Baltimore City nonprofit, recently transformed the Carver House, a condemned, vacant brick rowhouse in West Baltimore, into a house built to Passive House standards. To support the Carver House restoration project, Wythe Windows custom-fabricated and donated high-performance tilt-turn windows that deliver superior thermal performance and airtightness.
The project trained 57 Baltimore students in Passive House construction principles, who rebuilt the Carver House and earned paid construction experience.
Empowering Youth and Revitalizing West Baltimore
The Carver House is located across the street from Carver Vocational-Technical High School, the oldest predominantly Black trade school in Maryland and the third oldest in the country. The surrounding West Baltimore neighborhood, with a poverty rate of 35% and an unemployment rate around 20%, has historically suffered from intentional disinvestment and redlining.
Baltimore's historic rowhouses also face severe climate vulnerabilities. Heat trapped by shared walls, street flooding from overwhelmed drainage systems, and toxic mold growth caused by structural dampness have contributed to thousands of vacant homes across the area in the past. Recent numbers indicate a city that is on the upswing with a focus on renovation. As Mayor Brandon M. Scott highlighted in August 2026 two stories on Baltimore's revitalization as reported in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times: the city has eliminated one in four vacant properties, bringing the number down to fewer than 12,000.
Requity Foundation launched the project to link vocational training to real trade jobs. The organization employs students aged 14 to 19, providing them with technical and soft skills in trades such as masonry, carpentry, electrical work, and HVAC.
"Affordability is a challenge to restoring these historic rowhouses, and we would not be able to do this without partners like Wythe Windows," said Michael Rosenband, the Founder and Executive Director of Requity Foundation. "Our partnership with Wythe Windows provides an example of how we come together and solve challenges in a collaborative and collective way."
High-Performance Engineering for Resilient Community Housing
Wythe Windows manufactures engineered, high-performance triple-pane windows and doors in the United States. The custom-fabricated windows feature thermal breaks, airtight acoustic barriers, and triple-gasket seals that eliminate cold drafts, reduce urban noise, prevent condensation and mold growth, and shield indoor spaces from outdoor pollutants.
"It's important for them to build passive houses because passive houses are resilient," said Holden Washington, the project's general contractor. "The materials are going to last. They are going to be healthy. We are controlling the airflow, so they are going to have a healthy house."
"Partnering with Requity allows us to support sustainable building practices and holistic community development. We are proud to provide custom-fabricated, airtight windows for the Carver House that will allow these young builders to create resilient homes, develop in-demand trade skills, and promote Baltimore City's sustainable future," said Darren Macri, co‑CEO of Wythe Windows.
"In the case of this urban renovation and numerous others, high-performance does not have to equate to high cost. It's essential to serve our communities like this one in Baltimore because a disproportionate amount of their income goes to paying for energy in poorly insulated older structures, and just by installing a better window, residents feel the difference in energy cost, and comfort from day one," Macri continued.
Watch the full renovation on YouTube.
To learn more about the Requity Foundation, visit https://www.requity.org/, and to learn more about Wythe Windows or to experience the latest high‑performance innovations for yourself, visit https://www.wythewindows.com/.
About Wythe Windows
Wythe Windows is a visionary manufacturer of high-performance tilt-turn windows and doors engineered for superior energy efficiency, durability, and contemporary design. Founded in 2017 by building industry leaders, the company specializes in Passive House-certified solutions and next-generation building envelope systems, with a focus on scalable performance for both new construction and occupied retrofits. Manufactured in Ramsey, New Jersey, Wythe Windows' products are used in PHI- and PHIUS-certified projects ranging from affordable multifamily housing in New York City to private residences nationwide. For more information, please visit https://www.wythewindows.com/.
Media Contact
Kathy Berardi, Wythe Windows, 1 6786444122, [email protected], https://www.wythewindows.com/
SOURCE Wythe Windows
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