iPTThanks to Tomas @passivehouseacademy and the folks @go-gba for a great week learning to design #passivebuildings in #Pittsburgh
So what is passive building design? Passive design refers to reducing energy needs and costs while simultaneously increasing occupant health and comfort. Passive design techniques were the norm before the 20th century. Buildings relied on designs that allowed for unimpeded airflow and natural lighting. The age of electricity changed this, however, as buildings began to rely on “active design,” such as air conditioning and electric lighting.
The most important component of passive design is climate. The climate of the site determines the needs of the materials, ventilation, lighting, and shading. With the right climate and site strategies, we can achieve passive design by manipulating these components.
Why is passive design important? The fact is that the building industry currently contributes a whopping 40% to global carbon emissions. Passive design made a comeback in the 1970s in response to resource shortages and climate concerns, two things that are still a concern today. By implementing passive design, buildings reduce their impact on the environment and are able to rely on themselves for things that usually require a huge amount of energy.
This is not the only benefit of passive design. Passive design strategies have been shown to increase occupant comfort and health. For example, access to daylight is commonly known to be a basic human necessity, but the reliance on electric lighting for convenience is known to disrupt circadian rhythms.
This does not mean that contemporary passive design completely does away with things like conditioning and electric lighting. It rather reduces the occupant’s reliance upon it, therefore saving energy costs and helping to preserve the climate.