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Sustainable Practice: 10 Marvelous Multi-Unit Residences Designed With Passive House Principles
CategoriesArchitecture

Sustainable Practice: 10 Marvelous Multi-Unit Residences Designed With Passive House Principles

By Zarkon Group,

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Final Entry Deadline on January 26th.  

Picture a world where manmade towers not only house vibrant communities but do so with a commitment to energy efficiency and affordability. This may sound too good to be true, but such buildings already exist and are increasingly cropping up in diverse corners of the globe. Indeed, architects worldwide are already imagining a new model for sustainable urban living, where design innovation meets efficiency (energy, monetary and material) in the soaring heights of multiunit residential buildings.

Mitigating the most devastating consequences of our carbon addiction is the overarching challenge of 21st-century society; however, most countries also face housing crises, and affordability is urgent. Can passive house design — long associated with bespoke private single-family homes, both newly built and remodeled — be something of a panacea for affordable housing?

Indeed, the multi-pronged benefits of the following multi-unit projects seem almost too good to be true. Passive House design can reduce energy consumption by up to 90%, leading to substantial savings on energy bills for residents while providing tangible benefits as indoor air quality improves. Standing at the forefront of a green revolution and challenging conventional housing and construction norms, these apartment complexes employ airtight façades, energy recovery systems and innovative insulation, making these buildings pioneers and painting a picture of a future where sustainable architecture is accessible to a broader range of inhabitants.

Timber House

By MESH Architectures, Brooklyn, New York

Jury Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Multiunit Residential Building


The design for Timber House, New York’s first mass-timber condominium, was principally driven by two things: a high-tech digital model (to generate the wooden components, which were subsequently delivered for assembly) and Passive House design principles. This sustainable haven sets a new standard, uniting nature-inspired aesthetics, energy efficiency and residential comfort in a six-story, fourteen-home marvel. The energy-efficient envelope — sealed with with intensive insulation, “smart” air sealing and triple-glazed windows — wraps around the ingenious structure, which consists of glue-laminated timber columns, beams and floor plates.

Meanwhile, the interior showcases the amazing aesthetic possibilities of specifying low-carbon materials — from hexagonal porcelain tiles to renewable softwoods — all illuminated in the natural light that pours in from multiple skylights. Perhaps most remarkably, the ingenuity of the design ensure that building only relies on the electrical grid (one that is generated by renewable sources) for heating, hot water and cooking.

Paseo Mallorca 15

By OHLAB / oliver hernaiz architecture lab, Palma, Spain

The city of Palma has a new landmark, and it isn’t what the general population might expect from the sun-soaked Mallorcan capital, known for the splendor and intricacy of its massive cathedral and the magnificent concentration of modernismo-style buildings (the Catalan equivalent of Art Nouveau). What sets this new residential complex apart isn’t simply its strikingly delicate façade and palpable material approach, but also the design’s dedication sustainability, energy-efficiency and urban integration.

Passive House standards were used to ensure achieve maximum energy savings; in fact, the design boasts a nearly 90% reduction of the air, heating and cooling requirements of conventional buildings in this area. In addition,  construction method falls within the nZEB (nearly zero energy building) standard for consumption. Sliding panels made of wooden slats are both practical and aesthetic: they filter the intense Mediterranean sunlight but also generate an ever-changing play of patterns inside. These are part of a distinct double façade, sheathing a solid stone envelope beneath.

The Rye Apartments

By Tikari Works, London, United Kingdom

Like a beacon for the future of design, this ten-unit residential building is proudly perched on a highly visible corner in London. The design, which incorporates a variety of different apartment layouts for families of varying sizes, emerged through a rigorous analysis of privacy, daylight and neighboring building forms. The resulting architectural language complements the surrounding context and history. For example, red masonry shingles create an urban composition which is both reminiscent of the surroundings yet distinct.

Beyond aesthetics, the architects consistently sought to maximize the design’s efficiency, by minimizing material use and waste, embodied energy and cost. Such strategies include a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) frame and numerous passive principals for energy reduction and saving, such as PV panels, whole-house heat recovery ventilation, and hi-performance solar control glazing, all set within a super air-tight envelope.

Vital Brookdale

By Dattner Architects, Brooklyn, New York

Vital Brookdale stands as a prime example of affordable Passive House and community-oriented housing, providing 160 affordable housing units and 25,000 square feet (2,320 square meters) of health-centric community space in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood. This initiative incorporates a 100kW solar photovoltaic system mounted on the roof, a green roof, advanced mechanical systems, top-tier insulation and windows, LED lighting, water fixtures with low flow, and various other energy-efficient features. Meanwhile, inside, materials were selected according to the ease of installation, cost, maintenance and their impact on resident health. The result is a resounding testament to the untapped power of Passive House design in multifamily housing.

PUNTA PRIMA MALLORCA

By GRAS Reynés Arquitectos, Calvià, Spain

The challenge: a client’s demand for extensive construction on a limited plot, which left little space for nature. The solution: a strategic blend of architectural elements that minimize visual impact and enhance the natural values of the land, embracing Passive House design to do so.

154 Broadway

By Utile, Inc., Somerville, Massachusetts

A five-story mixed-use development with commercial space on the ground floor and 45 rental units above, this project achieved Passive House certification, utilizes mass timber construction and is an all-electric, Net Zero Ready Building. The upper floors facing Broadway showcase a mosaic of rainscreen siding, reducing massing while providing shading and play of light through deep windows.

As an all-electric initiative, 154 Broadway eliminates on-site fossil fuel combustion and significantly reduces grid demand through an efficient, airtight envelope and advanced ventilation systems. The sizable design comprises 40 studios, 3 one-bedroom and 2 three-bedroom units, including 9 affordable units.

Sendero Verde

By Handel Architects, New York City, New York

Located in East Harlem, the design for this massive housing complex, home to 709 affordable units, prioritizes Passive House principles without compromising on design excellence. Inspired by a historic trail that once traversed the location, the project organizes itself into three distinct volumes, which frame a central meandering landscaped path. that culminates in a captivating central courtyard. This dynamic space cascades across various levels, fostering the creation of individual community gardens.

Sendero Verde stands as a testament to the fusion of radical architecture and sustainability on a monumental scale. Upon completion, Sendero Verde is poised to redefine architectural boundaries as the world’s largest fully affordable Passive House building.

Quarter of Nations

By Gerber Architekten, Hamburg, Germany

These two new sculptural buildings in Hamberg extend a traditional working class residential area, reinterpreting the original architectural language or the area while simultaneously reconciling them with the high energy efficiency requirements of a passive house building. The resulting complex adds seventy-five publicly funded housing units that vary in size and layout (for single persons, couples and families), thereby extending the principals of the surrounding urban fabric — IBA 2013, an intercultural housing project designed to house over 1,700 people from 30 different nations.

The SIX Veterans Housing

By Brooks + Scarpa Architects, Los Angeles, California

The SIX, a LEED Gold-certified affordable housing project, redefines shelter for previously homeless veterans in McArthur Park. Breaking from traditional layouts, it prioritizes public areas over private space: four levels of housing units surround a courtyard with green-roofed balconies, visually connecting to the street below.

What truly sets The SIX apart, however, is its commitment to Passive House principles, surpassing standard practices for energy efficiency. From solar control and natural ventilation to daylight optimization and low-flow fixtures, every aspect is meticulously planned. This results in a building 50% more efficient than conventional structures.

Ville Verdi

By ALBERT WIMMER ZT-GMBH, Vienna, Austria

Ville Verdi transcends traditional housing, embracing passive house elements to form an eco-friendly haven. Comprising 5 villas with 34 residential units each, the design emphasizes barrier-free accessibility and communal spaces, fostering a sense of community.

The innovative eco-design incorporates a corrugated iron cladding contributes to the three-dimensional shapes while providing for a recyclable and virtually maintenance-free façade. This rear-ventilated façade prevents construction damages and the system can be extended to Passive House standard.

Knickerbocker Commons Passive House Apartment Building

By Chris Benedict R.A., New York City, New York

Designed to operate with an impressive 85 percent less energy than typical New York City apartment buildings, this groundbreaking six-story residential building in Bushwick was the country’s first mid-sized apartment complex adhering to Passive House design standards. Featuring 24 units of affordable housing, each rental residence incorporates individual ventilation systems, small radiators for heating and airtight window air conditioning units, meeting the stringent Passive House criteria. The triple-paned windows and a sculpted exterior facade utilizing STO EIFS insulation optimize energy performance by minimizing heat loss in winter and reducing solar heat gain in summer.

Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards are officially underway! Sign up for key program updates and prepare your submission ahead of the Final Entry Deadline on January 26th.  

Reference

marc thorpe’s livingston manor exemplifies passive design upstate
CategoriesArchitecture

marc thorpe’s livingston manor exemplifies passive design upstate

By Zarkon Group,

Livingston Manor: A Graphic Designer’s Rural Retreat

 

Hidden among the forested West Catskills just two hours northwest of New York City, the Livingston Manor house takes shape with architecture by Marc Thorpe Design. Covering just 1,800 square feet, the remote dwelling offers a private rural escape for a Brooklyn-based graphic designer and his family. Central to the design is a spacious open living and dining room, two bedrooms, as well as utility and bathroom areas. What sets this project apart is its unique cantilevered roofline, triangulated to provide a sense of weightlessness as it gracefully hovers over the surrounding deck.

marc thorpe livingston manorimages © Marco Petrini

 

 

the low-energy home beneath a cantilevered roof

 

The defining feature of Livingston Manor is its deep triangulated cantilevered roofline, which architect Marc Thorpe shapes to create a sheltered outdoor space over the wrapping deck. In alignment with contemporary environmental awareness, the Livingston Manor house adheres to the principles of passive design. The architects strategically reduced the building’s ecological footprint by implementing standards that ensure ultra-low energy consumption for space heating and cooling. This commitment to sustainability exemplifies the studio’s dedication to responsible architecture. 

marc thorpe livingston manor
just two hours from the city, Livingston Manor is a private escape designed for a Brooklyn-based graphic designer

 

 

passive design + responsible architecture by marc thorpe

 

Marc Thorpe Design works together with the Narrowsburg-based team at Wild & Balanced High-Performance Building to construct the Livingston Manor using responsible strategies. Advocates for thoughtful building practices, the contracting group adopts a methodology centered around passive construction. Its approach involves creating an air-tight, super-insulated, and thermally broken structure that is continuously vented with filtered fresh air (ERV/HRV). This method results in a range of benefits, including significantly lower heating and cooling bills, even temperature distribution, and a reduced reliance on fossil fuels and electricity. ‘One shouldn’t get caught up in the term (passive),’ says the firm, describing its methodology. ‘Simply put, Passive construction is the evolution of homebuilding and renovations.’

marc thorpe livingston manor
the home is enclosed by a unique cantilevered roofline, sheltering a wrapping deck
marc thorpe livingston manor
Livingston Manor follows passive design standards, ensuring ultra-low energy use for heating and cooling marc thorpe's livingston manor demonstrates passive architecture in upstate new york
Marc Thorpe Design reduces the project’s ecological footprint with eco-friendly construction

Reference

Top Policies That Propel Passive House in North America
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Top Policies That Propel Passive House in North America

By Zarkon Group,

To further understand the policy structures and mechanisms driving Passive House adoption across North America, the Passive House Network (PHN) studied what, where, and how Passive House policies succeed. Beginning in 2017, a research team inventoried Certified Passive House projects and professionals, and then analyzed Passive House–focused (or Passive House–related) local policies. Three frontrunner regions shone through. And the final report examines how specific policies operating in those regions harness the power of voluntary standards, like Passive House, that are already delivering high performance; and the key patterns or mechanisms they share. Scaling and replicating these patterns has proven incredibly successful both here and abroad.

Passive House Network leader Bronwyn Barry is an architect and principal of Passive House BB. Her webinar presentation with green building resource Rate it Green deep dives into the Policy That Works report. According to Barry, “Our goal is to have everybody look at how to implement these patterns and use them in their own policies.”

Watch the 2022 video presentation on the report’s implications

 

 

The Passive House framework offers tools and training that target buildings’ operational energy use, aiming to create a long-lived built environment that is regenerative and restorative. Passive House strategies are proven to produce reliable, low energy-use intensity. And after years in practice, Passive House buildings actually cost less to build than code-compliant buildings.

The report identified New York, Pennsylvania, and British Columbia as having both a critical mass of trained Passive House professionals and a significant lead in terms of Passive House project numbers and square footage. The data confirmed that Passive House adoption in North America is primarily being driven by large, multi-family buildings.

Connecting policy to projects

The PHN research discovered a layered mix of cities, states, and utilities driving high-performance energy policies in these accelerated regions, most being state-mandated, utility-funded programs. These policies and programs were competitively run; included tiered incentives and options and/or stepped implementation; and required reporting and monitoring, so data was captured to inform further policy.

The report then distills specific features that these policies have in common:

  1. They all included training subsidies to achieve a critical mass of well-trained building professionals and civil service employees.
  2. They all included carrots: project subsidies that help to remove the risk burden of the developer and owner community.
  3. They all clearly identified, up front, the end goal.

Interestingly, the researchers determined that all three of these drivers must be in place for successful implementation at scale. They also found, in all of the frontrunner regions, a local community of advocates and practitioners who supported policymakers implementing these programs: a local, grassroots community of activists.

Further accelerating Passive House adoption, policies connected one area of regulatory framework with others. In addition, most of the frontrunner regions had removed roadblocks within the baseline code, allowing Passive House pathways to compliance.

Finally, required monitoring and cost reporting circularly fed back into either reach codes or baseline code adoption, or back into the existing incentive program to reconfigure and refine the next iteration.

Exterior image Passive House Multifamily - photo by Triplecaña

Working cooperatively

Starting the energy code process with an explicitly and clearly defined end goal helps to structure the interim steps (a back-casting structure, as contrasted with an iterative code update process). A stepped energy code can also replace a multitude of reach codes in different municipalities.

In the webinar, Barry points out that at the city, state, and utility level, all of these successful policies connect. They were “quilted together” to work effectively. Each civic entity developed programs that supported programs and incentives run by fellow entities.

As an example, Barry highlighted a Vancouver program that connected zoning variances to certified passive house projects. Vancouver’s zero-emissions building plan issued in 2016 includes training of municipal staff, for an integrated approach. Bary emphasized training repeatedly as an oft-overlooked but essential component of successful programs.

British Columbia also provided up to $80,000 to incentivize manufacturers to develop Passive House Certified windows. The local building codes and incentives then created the market for them, producing a “virtuous feedback loop.”

New York City required their public works buildings to be Certified Passive House: fire stations, school retrofits, affordable housing, etc. NYC also implemented a benchmarking law (all the large buildings must measure and report energy consumption) and then set carbon caps, driving emissions gradually toward net zero carbon. This goal-oriented approach motivates owners to leap ahead when retrofitting and to plan for net zero in new buildings.

Barry then highlighted New York State’s Buildings of Excellence Program, a competitive award that funds early design explorations. The feedback that tracks modeling methodologies is encouraging innovation, because it removes some of the developers’ risk.

Pennsylvania linked their affordable housing tax credits to high-performance buildings, giving far more points for Passive House Certification. “See how policies, programs, and incentives actually can quilt together with policies similarly operating, and make each of them work better together. [The] additional points make it more likely to get financing through the state-run financing program.” explained Barry. “And lo and behold, after three years of running this program, the Passive House buildings performed reliably and ended up costing less money per square foot than the baseline code-compliant buildings. Because the professional community figured out ways to do this cost effectively.”

Reference

Aggressively Passive: Why Fierce Brand Competition Is a Huge Win for Green Architecture
CategoriesArchitecture

Aggressively Passive: Why Fierce Brand Competition Is a Huge Win for Green Architecture

By Zarkon Group,

Michael Ingui is a partner at Baxt Ingui Architects and the founder of Passive House Accelerator. The Accelerator is a catalyst for zero-carbon building and a collaborative media platform for practitioners, developers, and manufacturers working to create better buildings through Passive House design and construction.

We are in an incredibly exciting time as architects, designers and builders. Every day a new high-performance product enters the market, existing products are modified to perform better, and new solutions are identified. This is true whether the project is new construction or a retrofit, single-family or commercial. As the marketplace has expanded, more developers and owners have realized that they can build buildings that are healthier and more energy efficient with lower embodied carbon than in the past. Thanks to the growing competition and innovation within the market, these products also cost far less than they once did, and the kinds of sourcing difficulties that high-performance buildings experienced even five years ago are becoming a thing of the past, which has further contributed to the robust growth in the sector.

One of the most telling signs about the health of the emerging green building industry is the accelerated growth of Passive House construction across North America. Since 2014, the number of projects annually certified by Phius, one of two organizations through which one can obtain Passive House certification, has more than tripled. Meanwhile, the square footage of Phius-certified projects doubled from 2021 to 2022 — from 600,000 to 1.2 million square feet. This is in addition to the 37.5 million square feet of usable area certified by the Passive House Institute as of January 2023.

Left: Before, Right: After, Photography: John Muggenborg 

This would have been unthinkable less than a decade ago when Baxt Ingui Architects designed our first Passive House in Manhattan. Many of the challenges we faced were a lack of available materials and difficulty sourcing products. Passive House-quality windows on a brownstone receiving a full façade restoration was a first, and it required a public hearing. The window company, Zola Windows and Doors, collaborated with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and us to create a window they could approve. This helped pave the way for many successful Passive House projects to come. We are spoiled with the current options for readily available stock and custom skylights that meet Passive House standards, along with multiple interior and exterior shading options. For our first several Passive House townhouses, we were saved by a New Jersey-based custom skylight company, Fiore Skylights, who was able to help us work through many of the details we were doing for the first time on this project.

These kinds of growing pains stifled the growth of the high-performance building industry in North America. Design teams and manufacturers were hesitant to fully embrace what was often seen as an immature market. The lack of early adopters only compounded problems with access to materials and limited product options. Within the last few years, this hesitancy has eroded as sourcing networks have expanded and knowledge about the benefits of Passive House and high-performance construction has become more widespread. Consequently, the flood gates are now opening, and we are seeing loads of new high-performance products enter the market.

One of the most critical components to any high-performance construction project is the air barrier. When we began doing Passive House construction more than a decade ago, it was extremely difficult to source fluid-applied membrane air barriers in the U.S. Oftentimes, the only product that was readily available was manufactured by Sto Corp. Sto continues to be one of the air sealing products of choice for many, but now they have been joined by several others, including Intelligent Membranes, Partel, Rothoblaas, Prosoco and Pro Clima.

Finish Photography: Peter Peirce

Creating more airtight envelopes is certainly integral to improving building performance and pursuing Passive House certification, but it plays a more important role in buildings than you might think at first glance. Airtightness is a crucial part of the building’s wall system because it keeps the conditioned air inside separate from the unconditioned air outside. This translates into the lower heating and cooling costs associated with Passive House design.

Air sealing is also important from the perspective of occupant health. Rather than haphazardly finding pinholes and other seams or cracks through which to travel, all air that enters the building is directed through mechanical ventilation systems — another feature of Passive House construction. When outfitted with a filtration system, these ventilation systems can provide a constant supply of fresh air for occupants that is free of pollutants and allergens. For people with allergies in high pollen areas, this can be life-changing. For those who live in areas where wildfires are common, a more robust system outfitted with charcoal filters can keep their homes virtually smoke-free.

All-in-one mechanical systems (known as energy recovery ventilators [ERVs] or heat recovery ventilators [HRVs]) are currently available that provide not only mechanical ventilation, but also heating and cooling. What is truly impressive about these systems is their size. Products that have been developed by manufacturers like Minotair and Ephoca can fit in a closet. While this may seem undersized at first glance, when a building has been properly insulated and air sealed, the amount of energy it needs for heating and cooling drops precipitously. Therefore, the need for enormous mechanical systems disappears. Sometimes you don’t even need the heat at all. This winter, I only had to turn on the heat in my own Passive House certified home in Brooklyn for a few nights.

Finish Photography: Peter Peirce

Relatedly, the growth of heat pumps has been truly remarkable. Though they’ve been built by enormous manufacturers like Mistubishi, Daikan, and Fujitsu for years, they are becoming increasingly commonplace in new construction and retrofits. Rather than using natural gas or oil, heat pumps use electricity to efficiently heat and cool spaces, which helps reduce operational carbon emissions, particularly when paired with onsite and renewable energy generation. The same is true for electric and tankless water heaters, which will probably soon become industry standard.

The market for high-performance windows has also become exceptional, particularly in New York. In 2014, high-performance windows had to be ordered from Europe and there were only a few companies in the business of doing so. Moreover, most builders had never installed high-performance windows systems. Consequently, design options were limited, prices were outrageous, and months-long delays were inevitable.

Today, there are nearly two dozen high-performance window companies that include Zola Windows, Ikon Windows, Innotech Windows + Doors, EuroLine Windows, and Wythe Windows. Competition between these manufacturers is leading to innovations that are not only making high-performance more affordable, but also more varied. For designers, this means more options with respect to materials (wood, aluminum, or uPVC), dimensions, and configurations — including double hung. Builders are also far more accustomed to installing these systems and the process has gone from complicated (and sometimes contentious) to routine.

Another major change is that Landmarks Commissions have become more accustomed to high-performance retrofits. As I noted above, including a Passive House window on a townhouse just a few years ago almost always resulted in a months-long public hearing process. New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission was clear about what window companies had to achieve in order to be approved at staff level, and thankfully, window companies were able to successfully meet those requirements. This has been a significant game-changer, because window selection often drives the decision to pursue Passive House.

Finally, as the components that are necessary to make buildings more efficient become increasingly commonplace, a new generation of manufacturers is beginning to move beyond the problem of operational carbon and looking to how materials choices affect embodied carbon and human health. With respect to the former, this means using natural or recycled materials and manufacturing them without the use of fossil fuels. With respect to the latter, this means manufacturing products that do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and harmful other chemicals during the beginning phase of their lifecycle (a process known as off-gassing).

Given the exponential growth in the high-performance marketplace that we’ve seen in just the last ten years, I believe the next decade is going to be defined by product innovation, improvements in sourcing, and new materials that ultimately make buildings healthier and more sustainable.

Judging for the 11th A+Awards is now underway! While awaiting the Winners, learn more about Architizer’s Vision Awards. The Early Entry Deadline on May 5th is fast approaching. Start your entry today >

Reference

Calif. Embraces Passive House for Zero Carbon Multifamily Housing
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Calif. Embraces Passive House for Zero Carbon Multifamily Housing

By Zarkon Group,

The housing crisis in California is leaving thousands unsheltered and millions more with high rent burdens, threatening low-income communities, who are disproportionately people of color. Meanwhile, the climate crisis is causing wildfires, dangerous air quality, and widespread power shut-offs. A recent study funded by the California Public Utilities Commission highlights how Passive House (PH) design principles should be utilized in new construction to create zero carbon multifamily housing and contribute to more comfortable, healthy, and safe buildings for residents.

The Advancing Options for Decarbonization in Multifamily Buildings study developed by BluePoint Planning will inform the state’s zero-carbon program for new multifamily construction, and is designed to shape future California Energy codes (Title 24 part 6). The intention is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from multifamily buildings, promote occupant safety and comfort, and provide greater resilience in the face of climate change and extreme weather.

The study promotes deep energy efficiency practices and encourages market actors to go beyond code, by integrating ultra-efficient PH approaches in the design and construction of new zero carbon multifamily housing. Passive House design elements emphasize airtight construction, reduced thermal bridging, and passive daylighting, heating, and cooling as much as possible.

Why Passive House?

Building on stakeholders’ and technical advisors’ input, the study highlights that PH in multifamily buildings is cost-effective and is one of the best building sectors to focus on. PH buildings can use up to 80% less energy than existing standard construction, and 20% less energy than current California energy code. The PH model has been around for more than 40 years and can be applied to all building types—including multifamily residential and mixed-use commercial and multifamily. The technique has become popular throughout Europe, while gaining ground in the United States as well, with the square footage of PH buildings more than doubling every 2 years over the past decade. Today, there are more than 100 multifamily Passive House buildings in the US, equaling more than 2.7 million square feet; though there are few in California.

PH construction relies on a  well-insulated building envelope that minimizes air leaks and thermal bridging, to create an ultra–energy-efficient building. Other elements such as double- and triple-paned, properly installed windows are also needed to achieve proper insulation. The resulting energy efficiency and reduction in demand is critical to meet California’s climate goals, to support the electrical grid, and to lower costs to ratepayers.

Smiling adults socialize and dine on outdoor patio, amid attractive plantings

Building systems and beyond

Zero carbon multifamily buildings must be all-electric, utilizing efficient heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heaters. Note that the elimination of natural gas infrastructure helps reduce construction costs. Did you know that that plug loads consume 30% to 44% of whole building energy for multifamily buildings (depending on climate zone), because each unit has less space to be heated and cooled but still uses roughly the same number of appliances? Thus, highly efficient appliances will have high impact in reducing energy consumption. Consider induction cooktops, heat pump clothes dryers, and ENERGY STAR rated or other third-party certified microwaves, dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators. In addition, the study requires that operation and management of multifamily buildings actively reduce emissions associated with energy use.

The study expands the discussion beyond the building’s systems and considers siting, connection to other buildings, and potential for scaled infrastructure. Proper site design, orientation to the sun, and site shading all affect the need for heating and cooling. When done correctly, these elements work in tandem with airtight insulation to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures with minimal active heating and cooling.

Solar battery storage for resilience

Solar and storage are also critical elements to creating low carbon, resilient buildings. Once a multifamily building approaches ultra-low energy use intensity (EUI) targets, solar and storage must be integrated to help satisfy the building’s daily energy demands and to support basic electricity needs during a power outage. For multifamily properties, it’s essential to consider rooftop configurations and availability, and to enable siting solar over parking areas or other parts of the site. The decarbonization study also covers integration of electric charging stations and vehicle-to-grid technologies that can help to raise the overall benefits of a zero carbon building and its resilience.

Passive House design is known best as helping to create high-performing buildings and reducing energy use. However, key elements like insulation, energy efficient appliances, and solar with battery storage, can have invaluable resilience benefits in a world where climate change impacts are becoming more extreme and life-threatening.

Resilience and equity in zero carbon multifamily housing

The study considers equity as an essential principle, and advocates that PH buildings provide a durable sanctuary for residents in the face of disaster, extreme weather, or smoke from wildfires. (Durable sanctuary refers to a home or building that ensures a safe and healthy living space for its occupants both every day and during emergencies, including power outages for multiple days.) This is particularly important for disadvantaged populations who are more likely to have increased vulnerability to climate threats and are more likely to experience health complications from such an event.

One study showed that PH buildings can maintain a sufficient indoor temperature in the case of a power shut off in the extreme cold for over 6 days, compared to traditionally designed buildings, which only stay comfortable for about 1 day. The potential for Passive House as a resilience tool and mechanism to promote safety and potentially life-saving services in the face of disaster is ready to be realized.

Residents wal and socialize in courtyard of sustainable affordable housing development

The Advancing Options for Decarbonization in Multifamily Buildings study can be considered a reference point for where the housing industry in California is headed. As such, it can act as a tool for design and construction professionals in California to help align their industries towards Passive House standards and more climate-friendly and resilient multifamily buildings. This includes promoting and expanding relevant training, aligning energy modeling tools, and advocating for resilience standards and certifications in their projects.

Bianca Hutner has a background in climate policy advocacy and local government climate planning. At BluePoint Planning, she helps California local jurisdictions reduce emissions and promote resilience through climate planning efforts and assists in regional and statewide efforts to curb climate change and promote an energy-resilient future. Hutner is a co-author of the Multifamily Zero Carbon Action Plan for the California Public Utilities Commission.

Reference

Sarah Jefferys creates Passive House in Brooklyn with cedar screen
CategoriesInterior Design

Sarah Jefferys creates Passive House in Brooklyn with cedar screen

By Zarkon Group,

American studio Sarah Jefferys Architecture + Interiors has renovated a slender townhouse in Brooklyn with airy rooms and a cedar screen on the facade to meet Passive House standards.

Located in the Park Slope neighbourhood, the Passive House project involved the overhaul of a brick-faced, three-storey townhouse built in 1921 and owned by a family of four.

Passive Brooklyn Townhouse cedar facade
Sarah Jefferys Architecture + Interiors remodelled a Brooklyn townhouse into a passive house

New York-based Sarah Jefferys Architecture + Interiors sought to create a tranquil living atmosphere with elements that pay homage to the family’s Indian and Danish roots.

Moreover, the team wanted the 3,000-square-foot (279-square-metre) building to align with Passive House standards for energy efficiency.

Brooklyn Passive House interior
High-quality windows were installed

To significantly reduce heating and cooling needs, the team installed triple-pane Zola windows, which are often used in passive houses. Walls were reconstructed to create an airtight envelope, which included the addition of cellulose insulation.

The team also added an electric heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator, which helps purify the air.

The front facade was kept intact and refurbished, while the rear wall was redesigned to add ample glazing. To provide privacy and to modulate incoming daylight, the team added an artful cedar screen that acts as both “a sculpture and a veil”.

Brooklyn Passive House with Dutch furniture
White oak was used to complement the bright colours

Within the slender home, the team incorporated pops of colour and pale materials such as white oak.

“We strategically used light hues and reflective materials, and created an airy environment to offset the narrow footprint of the townhouse,” the team said.

The ground level has an open plan and holds the communal spaces.

Brooklyn Passive House kitchen
Reflective and light materials helped the studio meet environmental standards

Up front is the living room, where one finds a blue Living Divani sofa, rattan chairs from Fritz Hansen and a Muuto table.

A wood-burning fireplace, an element not often found in passive homes, sits between the living and dining areas.

To curb emissions from the hearth, the architects added a triple-pane glass enclosure and an extraction fan with an insulated cap. Still, because of the fireplace, the home does not fully meet the PHIUS certification requirements, the architect said.

The all-white dining room is furnished with Ant chairs by Arne Jacobsen and a PH50 pendant by Poul Henningsen. Just beyond is the “showpiece kitchen”, which is framed with an LED light cove.

Brooklyn passive house white stairway
The staircase has a skylight above

“The light cove acts as a separation point – an outline – and provides an atmospheric glow throughout the kitchen,” the team said.

In addition to the special lighting, the kitchen features slatted wooden cabinetry, yellow pendants by Louis Poulsen, and an island topped with Glassos crystallized glass.

Part of the island consists of a live-sawn slab of white oak, which is lined with bar stools.

Brooklyn Passive house living room from above
The living room features a Muuto table

“The beautiful juxtaposition between Glassos and white oak exemplifies the nature of the kitchen as both a practical work area and a leisurely lounge space for entertaining,” the team said.

A sky-lit staircase leads to the upper levels. The first floor holds the main bedroom and bathroom, along with an office – all of which are arrayed along a corridor lined with frosted glass.

The main bedroom features a BoConcept bed, sconces by Robert Dudley Best for Bestlite and a graphic blanket by Pia Wallén for HAY. The bathroom is adorned with matte glass and penny-round tiles from Ann Sacks.

The office is infused with a “touch of nostalgia”. Pieces include a Hans Wegner armchair, a teak Danish dresser and a 1962 copper pendant by Jo Hammerborg.

Brooklyn Passive house bathroom
Bright colours were used throughout

The top level contains a den and two additional bedrooms. The house also has a cellar.

Other Brooklyn townhouses include a house by Space4Architecture that has a skylit staircase and minimalist decor, and the family home of architects Fanny and Matthew Mueller, which features floating steps and a wood-and-steel bridge.

The photography is by Morten Smidt.

Reference

Net-Zero vs Passive House: What are the Similarities and Differences?
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Net-Zero vs Passive House: What are the Similarities and Differences?

By Zarkon Group,

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a net-zero house and a passive house? They’re both buzzwords in the green industry. But also appear in the mainstream news and the speeches of politicians. Gaining in popularity, it’s good to be aware of the differences. In some cases, it’s the smallest of details. But these different approaches to building can have a big effect on cost, comfort, true sustainability, environmental savings, and much more. We’ll explain the differences so that you can make an informed decision on which type of green building to pursue when designing or renovating your own home. We’ll also share how our family approached our first net-zero solar home renovation project, and how we kept costs to a minimum.

What is a Net-Zero Energy Home?

A net-zero home produces as much energy on an annual basis as it consumes. Design and engineering usually involve off-the-shelf energy-efficient technology and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to reach zero net energy use throughout the year. It may not necessarily be completely engineered to use the lowest energy possible, but if it produces enough to make up for those shortcomings, it could be considered net-zero.

 

An overhead drone shot of our first net-zero home in Cape Coral, Florida. It shows a newly renovation white 1,836 sq ft home with a big solar system on the roof.Our own affordable net-zero home renovation project in Cape Coral, FL.

(See more at Our First Net-Zero Solar Home Renovation (And How We Did It) – Attainable Home)

What Is a Passive House?

You’ll find many definitions on the web. But most agree that a passive house has highly engineered energy efficiency and stringent design standards while using environmental factors, such as passive solar, to keep energy use as low as possible. It’s a voluntary standard to achieve comfort, affordability and the lowest ongoing environmental impact possible. Here’s how the Passive House Institute defines a passive house: “Passive building comprises a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency within a specific quantifiable comfort level.”  Another way to describe it is that it “optimizes gains and losses” based on climate. You can learn more at Passive House U.S.

What Similarities Do These Homes Share?

The good news is both are extremely more energy-efficient and sustainable than an average house. And it doesn’t even have to cost that much more either.

Passive houses and net-zero homes share much in common. Both types of homes aim to make sure that their energy consumption is as close to zero as possible. 

There are many differences in how they accomplish this, but for the most part, both passive and net-zero houses follow similar principles. 

Common Characteristics of Both Net-Zero and Passive Homes:

None of these are requirements, but all energy-efficient homes, regardless of the label, usually aim to have most or all of these characteristics:

  • The building envelope is as air-tight as possible within budget. If you can control the air inside and prevent air leakage, the mechanical systems run less.
  • Elimination of thermal bridging when possible. A thermal bridge is a component in the house that acts as a thermal conductor between the inside and outside of the house, such as window and door frames.
  • High-performance energy-efficient windows.
  • Thick and continuous insulation through the entire building envelope. Insulation acts like a blanket around your house (similar to your to-go coffee mug that keeps your coffee warm for longer).
  • Mechanical ventilation that keeps air healthy and fresh. Because your building envelope is so tight, the air inside your home has nowhere to go. You must move that stale indoor out and bring fresh air in from the outside while retaining the heat using an energy recovery ventilation system.
  • Efficient mechanical systems and appliances. Things like HVAC, your hot water heater, washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and others must be energy efficient. But perhaps more importantly – they must be designed correctly for the home. If systems are too big or small for their actual workload, they can work overtime and burn out.
  • Some use of shading. Ideally, you have shading on the roof that is optimized to let the warm sun in through the winter (when the sun is lower in the sky) and shade for the windows in the summertime.
  • Renewable energy. Even with energy-efficiency measures and stringent passive house standards, you may still need to generate some power to get to net-zero. This is where solar energy, small wind turbines, geothermal, or perhaps small micro hydropower might come in. We did a whole article on solar alternatives if you’re interested in learning more about that.

The major difference between passive and net-zero homes is that Passive House’s stringent standards for insulation, air sealing, and use of passive solar reduce the energy needs of the building to the point that very little solar may be needed to get to net zero. On the other hand, net-zero homes have less stringent standards and may require more solar to get to zero.

How Much Do These Energy Efficient Homes Cost?

Many factors contribute to the total cost, so it’s hard to say exactly. The best graph we’ve found appears in  Rocky Mountain Institute’s 2019 report, “The Economics of Zero-Energy Homes,” which shows that net-zero homes only cost about 6-8% more than traditional homes.*

Courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Institute study entitled The Economics of Zero-Energy Homes

Similarly, according to the Passive House Institute US, a passive house typically costs 5-10% more than a typical home. For the net-zero home renovation we did (see below), the efficiency measures and solar energy costs equate to 6.8% of the final appraised home value, so nearly dead-on with RMI’s findings.

A Case Study – Our Attempt at a Net-Zero Home Renovation

I wanted to create the most affordable net-zero home renovation I could muster. The goals were clear and deliberate:

  1. Keep the total cost under the median average home price of the area.
  2. Ensure that it could rent for 10-15% above all ownership costs, including long-term maintenance. This is because things change in life and I wouldn’t  be forced to sell in a down-market.

I was aware of the Passive House concept before starting, but my goal was to get to net-zero as affordably as possible. The reality is, unless you’re building from the ground up, a Passive House design is difficult to implement because most existing homes would require extensive renovation to meet Passive House standards.

My approach was to use energy and financial models to go after the lowest hanging fruit. This created the freedom to let the spreadsheets tell me what to do on the project. This is house-specific, so each project is different.

Going After The Lowest Hanging Fruit – A Surprising Example

The house had a 2007 13 SEER HVAC system. Naturally, I thought that I must replace it to achieve net-zero. As it turned out, while doing the energy and financial modeling, that wasn’t the case. In my location, at least on this house, with my electric rates, and a Florida climate, adding more solar panels on the house cost less than upgrading to a new higher SEER HVAC system. By going after the cheapest and most effective energy-saving measures possible, the overall project was a success and not as big a hit on the wallet. With this approach – even with this being my first renovation ever – the total efficiency and solar energy costs equated to 6.8% of the final appraised home value, in line with the studies mentioned above.

Power for the Electric Car, Too

As a bonus, the 9.38KW solar system could, in addition to powering my home, produce enough power to drive a Tesla Model 3 for 10,000 miles per year. At the rate that my current system is producing, it is turning out to be more like 12-14,000 miles per year.

Here’s a picture from our Enphase Enlighten app, showing solar production in blue and home usage in orange throughout

the day.

Conclusion

Although there are differences between Passive House and net-zero home standards,  the end goal is nearly the same – to use as little energy as possible on a net basis.

The exciting thing is that these approaches are growing so much in popularity and have world governments behind the concept to boot. The technology is getting cheaper, the building science is getting better, and the overall economic picture makes it much more affordable to build or renovate homes more efficiently on a grand scale.

While there are so many variables with all of this, just know that there are plenty of ways to meet the goals of using less energy, reducing carbon, and building more efficiently, whether it be a passive house, net-zero, or any other way you are able to get there.

 

Erin Shine

Founder | Attainable Home

Original Article Posted on AttainableHome.com  

 

 

 

Reference

Brazilian Firm Brings Passive Design Principles to New Production Facility
CategoriesArchitecture

Brazilian Firm Brings Passive Design Principles to New Production Facility

By Zarkon Group,

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.  

Aldous Huxley said that “springs and landscapes have a serious defect: they are free” and that “love for nature does not provide work for any factory.” Well, sorry to contradict the famous writer and philosopher but the new industrial complex for Nice — the Italian multinational leader in Smart Home, Security, Home & Building Automation solutions, designed by M CA – Mario Cucinella Architects  in Limeira, Brazil — proves exactly the opposite: namely, that an industrial building can concretely combine productivity, social and technological innovation, research and environmental sustainability.

All images courtesy of MC A Mario Cucinella Architects

Nothing could be further from the apocalyptic and sooty atmospheres of Friz Lang’s film Metropolis (1927) in which the machines of productive dehumanization devoured the lives and identities of workers, reducing them to an automated mass swarming beneath the ground.

On the contrary, here, the building’s iconic roof appears like a large tropical leaf floating on light pillars, evoking the idea of an almost “maternal” architecture that is protective and enveloping, its organic forms in tune with the natural ecosystem. Unusually, equally strong themes of production efficiency and quality of work are combined with the strong emotional impact of this architecture.

The intervention is, on the one hand, a manifesto of cutting-edge technology aimed at increasing productivity according to a sustainable business model. Meanwhile, on the other, this is an architecture of social commitment to promote the professional growth of the local community by leveraging constant training and innovative work experiences.

The complex, covering an area of about 215, 278 sq ft (20,000 sqm) in a forest rich in underground water sources, houses the headquarters of the group with two floors of offices, common areas, showrooms, service and training areas. The production facilities, located at the back, are connected to the central atrium by a large window from which visitors can directly observe the industrial process.

Also at the back, a system of suspended paths, immersed in nature, connects to the building that houses services for employees, such as the gym and the inevitable “churrasqueira.” The working environment is a bit like a home, where it is also pleasant to spend moments of relaxation and socializing. 

The building has been designed to reduce energy consumption and toxic emissions through the use of active and passive measures that, thanks to the favorable local climatic conditions, allow the systems to operate completely off-grid for some periods of the year.

In general, the use of natural ventilation is possible for two thirds of the year, thanks to openable facade elements and the integration of mobile openings in the atrium patio that transform it into a giant “ventilation chimney”. The production area, thanks to the combination of thermal mass and natural ventilation, is operational all year round without the need for cooling or heating; showrooms and offices benefit from a mixed system that encourages natural ventilation while reducing overall cooling loads.

The roof, as well as a strong characterizing element of the project, is also an important passive device that provides shading to the large glass fronts during the hottest hours, reducing by 47% the incident radiation and avoiding the risk of overheating. 43 055 sq ft (4,000 sq m) of photovoltaic panels installed on the roof cover the electrical load of the entire building and potentially allow the systems to work off-grid during sunny days.

The landscape design is an equally important part of the intervention and is functional to increase the rich local biodiversity. The project proposes a playful interpretation of the variety of the Cerrado biome, the second largest in Brazil, ranging from grassy glades, to savanna, to forest formations, represented here in different expressive languages along the outdoor paths, inspired by local wild species and native vegetation. Small ponds and water basins mitigate runoff and direct rainwater to a large basin at the bottom of the area; a 2, 120 cubic foot (60 cubic meter) tank stores water to reuse for irrigation.

Image courtesy of MC A – Mario Cucinella Architects

Mario Cucinella, founder and creative director of MC A, states that “sustainability is a founding element of making architecture. Looking back at history, we have always needed a relationship with matter, and the energies brought into play were those of the climate: the sun, the wind, the light. The project re-establishes a symbiotic relationship between the architectural structure and nature, interacting with the landscape and reinterpreting the traditional Brazilian architectural elements and encouraging the use of all its passive characteristics.”

Love for Mother Earth — “our mother and sister who governs us and sustains us” as St. Francis of Assisi said — permeates the work, suggesting a broader reflection on the concept of sustainability that extends not only to environment but also to society and economy. MC A’s building encompasses a cultural approach in which ecology and industry coexist beyond hierarchies and commonplaces.

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.  

Reference