But we were tasked to review all equipment specifications, for the chillers, air handling units, pumps, or anything else, essentially to protect the client and make sure they got they were paying for.
What are the benefits and challenges of adopting Passivhaus?.These are the main benefits of adopting a Passivhaus standard:.
A well-recognised quality mark: Passivhaus is a well-recognised, international, sustainable design standard which is seen by professionals and non-professionals alike as guaranteeing a level of environmental excellence that goes well beyond national standards..Performance gap reduced to minimum: Its all-encompassing energy assessment methodology and bespoke design software (Passive House Planning Package) offers a different approach to the compliance-focused UK energy modelling, which results in performance gap being largely avoided.. Ultra-low energy/carbon and lower operational costs: Passivhaus designs achieve low-energy consumption.Rapid grid decarbonisation and the use of high efficiency heat pumps results in extremely low carbon emissions and gives clients the option of going net zero in operation through the use of additional PV or green electricity tariffs.
When coupled with building mounted renewables, it can deliver low to non-existent energy bills to occupants, with some designs capable of being cost negative over the course of the year..Excellent Occupant Experience: Both Passivhaus and Bryden Wood believe that environmental performance should not come at the expense of occupant experience.
This is reflected in the designs targeting both the Passivhaus Thermal Comfort criterion as well as CIBSE TM 59, which ensures adequate thermal performance.. Resilient and adaptable to different climate conditions: Passivhaus also provides additional resilience by adopting a design based on passive design strategies coupled with technological solutions that can easily be upgraded, refurbished and replaced.
Whilst Passivhaus was originally developed for residential buildings in Germany, the standard and its principles can be adopted in all kinds of building types, locations and climatic scenarios, and respond to the effects of global warming..What are you trying to achieve?
That of course could end up being a building.In this framework, the brief becomes a much more malleable concept.
It’s a starting point.It’s a way in which a client can express their perceived need.