Passive Building Principles

The term ‘passive’ has been associated to Bioclimatic Architecture since its inception. Passive buildings are designed, and built to ensure that they maximise the environments natural resources. Reducing overall energy consumption through ‘active’ heating and cooling systems results in a ‘passive’ effect on the environment. The key principles to designing passive buildings:

  • Solar Orientation
    The layout of the site and the position of the building will ultimately determine the amount of natural energy the building can receive.
  • Building Design
    How the building reacts to the environment and how it harnesses the solar energy around it. Building design determines the layout of rooms, positioning of window, facades and shading all focusing on maximising and controlling solar energy.
  • Building Structure
    The composition of the walls and roof are vital. The levels of insulating materials, and the breathability of the material used, determines the passiveness of a building. In order to achieve passive status all cold bridges must be sealed and the building must be naturally ventilated.
  • Technology
    Renewable energy then allows a passive building to become self sufficient. A passive building requires a low amount of heating therefore less energy is required. Peripheral systems are used to control and minimise the amount of ‘active’ heating and cooling systems.