---
title: "Zero E Design — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zero-e-design-pfvwus-pf~184796854
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~184796854.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Zero E Design"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/bea3934d002ea2c8_4926-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "P.O Box 216, Taos, New Mexico 87571, United States"
latitude: 36.3953
longitude: -105.5847
phone: "(575) 758-9741"
website: http://www.zeroedesign.com
rating: 5
review_count: 2
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 71
last_updated: 2026-09-02
---

# Zero E Design

Original Houzz profile: [Zero E Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zero-e-design-pfvwus-pf~184796854)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Taos, NM
- **Serves:** Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Arroyo Seco, Ranchos de Taos, Taos Pueblo, Talpa, Arroyo Hondo, Taos Ski Valley, Carson, Cerro, El Prado, Trampas, Tres Piedras
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (2 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2015), for Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

Zero Energy Homes with a strong focus on Exceptional Poetic and Creative Design

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Architectural Drawings
- House Plans
- Home Additions
- Kitchen Design
- Sustainable Design
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Floor Plans
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Green Building
- Custom Home

### Areas Served

- Albuquerque
- Santa Fe
- Taos
- Arroyo Seco
- Ranchos de Taos
- Taos Pueblo
- Talpa
- Arroyo Hondo
- Taos Ski Valley
- Carson
- Cerro
- El Prado
- Trampas
- Tres Piedras

### Typical Job Cost

$400,000 - 2 million

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Zero E Design |
| Address | P.O Box 216, Taos, New Mexico 87571, United States |
| Phone | (575) 758-9741 |
| Website | http://www.zeroedesign.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 71 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Zero E Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zero-e-design-pfvwus-pf~184796854)
- **Website:** http://www.zeroedesign.com
- **Phone:** (575) 758-9741

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Master of Architecture, German Architekt, various US Green Building Council Awards, First certified Passive House , LEED PLATINUM and Site- Net- Zero- Energy Home in New Mexico, Home Builder's Association Design Award River Wire Blog Design Award ZOLA blog, person of the month (Nov.2114)

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2015), for Design.

**Affiliations**
- [Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/santa-fe-area-home-builders-association-pfvwus-pf~1452154220)
- [Passive House Institute US](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/passive-house-institute-us-pfvwus-pf~1579791328)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 2 reviews**

### All 2 reviews

**★★★★★ — danjones1, Nov. 2014**

> I'd never worked with a design professional before and the process was fascinating and educational. Joaquin would create what was possible from my ideas and dreams, teaching me a lot along the way. What he created defies explanation -- everyone who comes in gasps -- and many of these people have seen myriad photos before arriving. For a space under 1,000 sq ft it feels almost palatial and truly soars.
>
> The passive solar aspects have been heating the house beautifully and I've hardly used the active solar heat. I wanted a house I could actively participate in and that is working perfectly. I have a greenhouse integrated to the house, as well as a woodstove to supplement the hot water when we have cloudy weather. All these systems are working flawlessly and allowing me the hands on experience I want. I've never lived in a house where I could be so warm and comfortable in severe cold. No draft, always even temperatures and always fresh air… the only drawback is that I could never live in a regular home again.

**★★★★★ — antoniafahney, Nov. 2014**

> I have been working with Joaquin on two occasions, first on my new home in Taos and then on my new outdoors shade structure. The process of designing and creating with him has been an inspiring and exhilarating experience for me. With his professional training in his native Germany he is far ahead of the curve in efficiency and design.
> Joaquin has the unique ability to listen to his clients. I loved the open exploration and communication. He incorporated my visions and needs into an esthetically and functionally pleasing whole. One that is also harmonious with its natural surroundings.
> The love and enthusiasm for his work and each new project, large or small, are palpable.
>
> Antonia Fahrney

## Selected projects

- [Zero Energy Model](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/zero-energy-model-pj-vj~7007926)
  - Location: El Prado, NM
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: This is how we like to live in this phase of our lives. Small, easy, streamlined to minimalist and of course Zero Energy with zero emissions.... and zero maintenance. Just turn the key and leave when you want to travel. Just hop on the bus, Gus, drop of the key, Lee.... I thought long and hard how I can release this on a shoestring budget for under $200K and I figured it out after 12 years of designing these homes for clients. I learned how to do this as simply and as low cost as possible withou…
- [SkyNest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/skynest-pj-vj~5856928)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
- [Terrie Mangat Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/terrie-mangat-residence-pj-vj~779855)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [Chamisa Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chamisa-passive-house-pj-vj~75785)
  - Location: Taos, NM
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: This award winning ultra efficient home was created as collaboration spear headed by Ben van Willingen, BvW, Inc (builder), Joaquin Karcher, Zero E Design (Passive House and Eco Designer), Michael Tarleton, Tarleton Engineering (mechanical systems design) and Wolfgang Moeller (Certified Passive House Consultant). It is the first certified Passive House, LEED Platinum certified and Site Net Zero Energy home in new New Mexico.
- [Dan Jones Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dan-jones-residence-pj-vj~75642)
  - Location: Taos, NM
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: The attached greenhouse for year around food production shares the solar heating system of the entire house (drain- back system) and is designed so that the temperature in the greenhouse never falls below 40F in the winter time. Plants can be watered with water collected from the roof. The entire building shell is designed as a Passive House, super insulation, thermal bridge free detailing, triple glazed windows w/ insulated frames guarantee minimal heat loss. A whole house ventilation system wi…
- [Antonia Fahrney Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/antonia-fahrney-residence-pj-vj~75759)
  - Location: Taos, NM
  - Photos: 5
- [John/ Clair Schneider Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/john-clair-schneider-addition-pj-vj~75749)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 5
- [Jamey and Esha Stillings Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jamey-and-esha-stillings-residence-pj-vj~75640)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 5

[See all 8 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/zero-e-design-pfvwus-pf~184796854)

## Ideabooks

- [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77935920/list/wish-list) — 26 ideas
- [Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75618205/list/furniture) — 4 ideas
- [counter- stools](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57219629/list/counter-stools) — 8 ideas
- [fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34326517/list/fireplaces) — 5 ideas
- [Landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4119321/list/landscaping) — 54 ideas

[See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/zeroe)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Exterior house color** *(in Photo Questions)*

What is the exterior color of house?

A: EL REY stucco Buckskin

**Q: Can you share paint color on walls? Is there any texture?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Updating our Phoenix territorial. Love the wall color and the design.

A: It is clay plaster from American Clay. The client chose a custom color.

**Q: Does anyone know the actual color name/color number for the trellis in this photo** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: I think it was RAL 7039 from Trojan Powder Coating

**Q: sofa table -- where is it from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: it is a custom piece of cabinetry

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-02.*