Low Enerygy Building Strategies

Passive House concept

Active House concept

Evaluation

One sustainable way of designing a building could be aiming for zero-energy, which is a building that has reduced energy needs that can be balanced out with supply by renewable resources, hence production equals consumption (Marszal, 2009). In 1991 the German concept ’Passive House’ originated with motivation towards a sustainable building design. The concept is based on a construction method ensuring a very low energy consumption, making it a cost-effective solution, that with very little energy for heating and cooling offers a high level of comfort. The strategy is primarily to design with a high level of insulation and a highly efficient ventilation system with heat or energy recovery (Passivehouse-international.org, 2018). A third strategy named ‘Active Houses” evolved during 2007 in Denmark. The idea of the developers was a concept focussing on the users of the building. It was not enough that the building was self-sufficient on energy, the building should be a good place to live. This by focussing on user satisfaction ensured through good indoor climate and health, by focussing on the quality of daylight and fresh air. The layout and functions of the building should match the user demands as well. Furthermore, there was a large focus on balancing out the consumption and production of energy use. Lastly, the architecture of the building should reflect the strategies of an Active House (Hansen, 2009). The design should focus on especially the user needs and their comfort and the indoor climate should be ensured, mainly by passive means. The active strategies should be integrated to ensure the voluntary low energy class.

The Sun House has been investigated to take point of departure in a project that complies with the above-mentioned strategies in an integrated manner.

Figure 67 Passive house concept

Figure 68 Active house concept