Selected works 2016 - 2024 Palak Prajapati
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Passive House
Retrofit
Co-living / Flexible tiny houses
Innovation and Incubation Center
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Page | 18
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Residential Renovation
Design and Evaluation
Craft meets AI
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Software used:
Academic - Final Project
Sonia Zouari
Gatineau, Canada
Winter term, Green Architecture program - 2023
Autodesk Revit, Sketch up, Lumion, Adobe Photoshop, Power Point
The project aimed to retrofit the NCC residense which follows passive house standards. The project constrains were uninsulated doormers, exterior walls, heat loss through chimneys and single glazed windows.
Thorough calculations adhering to the EnerPHit standard have ensured a successful proposal, aspiring to achieve certification from the Passive House Institute. The suggested retrofit holds the potential to meet the EnerPHIT energy demand requirement through the implementation of efficient windows, advanced HVAC equipment, and the establishment of an airtight, well-insulated structure.
The proposed construction sequence from the exterior enables residents to remain in the house during construction, thereby minimizing disruptions to their daily activities. Additional research could be conducted to determine the necessary clearances for the proposed mechanical equipment and explore the potential for on-site renewable energy generation.
seline
Proposed
Energy analysis - Baseline
Lack of wall insulation caused around 45% of total losses
Lack of wall insulation caused around 45% of total losses
Heat losses through windows six times higher than heat gains
• Lack of wall insulation caused around 45% of total losses
Heat losses through windows six times higher than heat gains
• Heat losses through windows six times higher than heat gains
Ubakus : condensation analysis
Assembly type : 2X8 Wall
From outside to inside:
8) Wood shingles (60mm) R-0.01
7)Furring - air gap (50mm) R-0.001
6)Weather barrier R-0.005
5)Rock wool comfort board (110mm) R-16.54
Energy analysis - Proposed
Losses and gains are equally distributed
• Losses and gains are equally distributed
Losses through windows were reduced 5 times
• Losses and gains are equally distributed
• Losses through windows were reduced 5 times
• Losses through windows were reduced 5 times
4)Plywood (15mm) R-0.53
3)2x8
2)Vapor barrier R-0.01
1)Gypsum board(12.5mm) R- 0.28
Baseline
341 kWh/(m²a)
Proposed
30 kWh/(m²a)
stud wall rock wool cavity insulation R-30.85
Heating demand :
30 kWh/(m²a)
Heating load:
19 W/m²
Cooling load:
6 W/m²
Airtightness :
1.0 ACH
Windows U value:
HVAC efficiency :
0.65 (W/(m²K) 80%
A - Dormers
U value :0.21 W/(m²K)
R value: 27.4
Cavity
Roof
From outside to inside
Roofing tile and sheathing
Rear ventilated air
Weather barrier
Rigid insulation
Plywood
Rafter with cavity insulation
Air and vapour barrier
Gypsum board
B - Roof B
U value :0.11 W/(m²K)-R value: 51.6
Cavity + Exterior Rigid insulation : 6” + 6”
C - Above grade stud walls
U value :0.12 W/(m²K)-R value: 47.3
-Cavity + Exterior Rigid insulation : 8” + 4”
D - Concrete Basement Walls
U value :0.25 W/(m²K) )-R value: 22.7
-Exterior Rigid insulation 5”
D - Concrete Floor slab
U value :0.59 W/(m²K) R value: 9.6
-Rigid insulation : 2”
C - Above grade stud walls (2X8)
From outside to inside
Wood shingles
Rear ventilated air
Weather barrier
Rigid insulation
Plywood
2X8 wall with cavity insulation
Air and vapour barrier
Gypsum board
C - Above grade stud walls (2X8) : lintel detail
From outside to inside
Water proofing layer
Rigid insulation
Reinforced concrete wall
Air and vapour barrier
Gypsum board
From above to below
Polyurethan
Plywood
Rigid insulation
Reinforced concrete
Soil
From outside to inside
Roofing tile and sheathing
Rear ventilated air
Weather barrier
Rigid insulation
Plywood
Rafter with cavity insulation
Air and vapour barrier
Gypsum board
C - Above grade stud walls (2X8) : sill detail
A - Dormers
D - Concrete Basement Walls
D - Concrete Floor slab
airtightness,
Not disturbing interior : All construction activities are confined to the exterior to avoid disrupting the interior living spaces.
Airtightness :
Special attention is paid to ensuring the building envelope is airtight. This prevents heat loss and drafts, improving energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Avoid Thermal Bridge: Measures are taken to eliminate or minimize thermal bridges, which are pathways for heat to escape, ensuring consistent indoor temperatures and reducing energy loss.
Insulation from interior: Adding insulation to basement walls internally to improve energy efficiency.
Accessibility:
For toilet accessibility, ensure spacious l ayout, grab bars, and lever-handled fixtures. Similarly, enhance entrance accessibility by fitting push-button door openers for effortless entry. These modifications promote inclusivity and ease of movement while aligning with passive house principles.
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Academic - Eco Design
Michael Peixoto, Eric Fruhauf
Carleton Place, ON, Canada
Winter term, Green Architecture program - 2023
Autodesk Revit, Sketch up, Lumion, Adobe Photoshop, Power Point
The primary aim of this project was to delve into a comprehensive understanding of prevalent design challenges, focusing on key aspects such as sustainability principles, passive design strategies, and achieving net zero energy consumption. Additionally, the project sought to address the five fundamental design domains: Site, Water, Energy, Materials, and Interiors, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainable design.
Furthermore, the project emphasized the integration of various factors, including client requirements, contextual analysis, and inherent constraints and opportunities. This integration was crucial in devising design responses that not only met the client’s needs but also maximized sustainability and efficiency.
The design prioritized flexibility and adaptability, evident in the movable elements of the floor plan. This allowed the space to adjust to changing needs and preferences, fostering a dynamic environment. This approach enhances user experience and sustainability by reducing the necessity for frequent renovations or reconstructions.
Located on Albert Street in Carleton Place, this site is surrounded by residential areas, hospitals, churches, banks, and markets. The walk score of 78 indicates high pedestrian accessibility, while the cycle score of 68 suggests good biking infrastructure. Ideal for a flexible tiny house, the vibrant surroundings offer opportunities for community engagement. The blend of amenities nearby ensures convenience for daily needs, fostering a sense of urban living. Residents can easily access essential services and recreational facilities, promoting a balanced lifestyle. The site’s bike score of 68 signifies decent infrastructure for cyclists, contributing to a sustainable and active community.
One remarkable aspect of the design prioritized flexibility and adaptability, particularly evident in the layout of the floor plan. By incorporating movable and adjustable design elements, the space could easily cater to evolving preferences and needs, fostering a dynamic and versatile environment. This approach not only improves the user experience but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing the need for extensive renovations or reconstructions over time.
Wall R-35.48
From outside to inside:
8) Metal panel (25mm) R-0.01
7)Metal furring (100mm) R-0.001
6)Rock wool insulation (102mm) R-16.54
5)Weather barrier R-0.005
4)OSB sheating (18mm) R-0.78
3)2x6 wall stud sheep wool cavity insulation R-16.58
2)Vapor barrier R-0.01
1)Gypsum board(12.5mm) R- 0.28
Ubakus analysis & dew point
Improved R value and overhang added
EUI improvement: 6%
Cove tool analysis - Iteration
Roof U value : 0.116 W/(m²K)
Wall U value : 0.16 W/(m²K)
The project incorporated sustainable strategies to address multiple concerns, such as countering the heat island effect with light-colored surfaces and responsibly sourcing FSC-certified materials. This included selecting FSC-certified wood, ensuring that it was responsibly harvested from forests meeting stringent environmental and social standards. Additionally, the project emphasized the use of low-maintenance materials to minimize environmental impact throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Notably, continuous external insulation, like the Perfect Wall system, was employed to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. These efforts collectively promote environmental responsibility and resilience in building design.
Heat-Air
Cross
HRV
Cross
HRV
Radiant
Radiant
Heat-Air management Energy management
Adaptive reuse, some extension and some demolition of pharmacy department
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Academic - Urban design studio project
Vadodara, India
4th year, B.Arch. - 2020
Autodesk Revit, Sketch up, Lumion, Adobe Photoshop,
The vision of the project is to build a strong start-up ecosystem in Vadodara city since there is no such facility existed before. Vadodara city has several universities established for many years. If one sees Kalabhavan (Faculty of technology and engineering) as a whole district, this is an economic tone between town and ground. The ground is Kalabhavan and the town is a city.
The project aim is to create an architectural space that builds a start-up ecosystem for stakeholders in Kalabhavan campus. Another aspect of the project is to adaptive reuse, some extension, and some demolition of Pharmacy department as innovation and incubation center since Pharmacy department in Kalabhavan is not in working condition.
The innovation and incubation center is an urban project which would support innovators and start-up businesses in their passion to become successful entrepreneurs. This would make a huge impact on the economic development of Vadodara city. Finally, the design is developed bycreating a transition space in the Indo-Saracenic style and greenpockets within the built mass.
The arrangement is parallel to the line of the existing Pharmacy department. The new structure was proposed east side having greener space between new and old construction. The main entry is through transition space (dome structure which has three storeys volumetric space) infront of old construction.
and architecture
integrating an existing building’s southern entrance with a new eastern extension, Interior green spaces are seamlessly incorporated into the new structure, fostering architecture while maximizing functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Existing Building with Southern Entrance
New Building Extension on Eastern Side
Connecting Bridge between Existing & New Structure
A - Ground Floor with Seminar room, Pre- incubation lab, Makers lab, Prototype lab, toilet in L-shaped building; whereas, offices, conference room, private work-modules with folded partition, public work-modules in new Construction.
B - First Floor with library ,research center, finance lab, prototype lab, toilet in L-shaped building; on the other hand,private work-modules with folded partition, public work modules, conference room, ideation corner in new construction.
C - Second Floor with Makers lab, prototype lab, toilet in L- shaped building; whereas, private work-modules with folded partition, public work-modules, conference room, ideation corner in new construction.
Integrating interior green spaces within the new structure offers multifaceted benefits. These green elements act as natural air purifiers, enhancing indoor air quality and fostering a healthier environment for occupants.
Moreover, they introduce biophilic design principles, connecting occupants with nature and reducing stress levels. By incorporating vegetation into interior spaces, the building promotes a sense of well-being and boosts productivity among users. Additionally, these green spaces serve as aesthetic features, adding visual appeal and creating tranquil retreats within the built environment.
Overall, the integration of interior green spaces not only enhances the sustainability and livability of the building but also contributes to a more holistic and enriching experience for its users.
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Academic - Sustainable Methods and Materials II
Michael Peixoto
Ottawa, Canada
Winter term, Green Architecture program - 2023
Autodesk Insight, Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop
The house is 100 years old and has not been updated to comply with current insulation, airtightness, or indoor air quality standards. It features two stories, a basement, and an area of 210 square meter. The walls are made of stone, the interior walls are made of wood studs, and the floors and roofs are made of wood.
The main objective of the design is to improve the existing condition of the house by optimizing the building envelope to reach energy performance levels above the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and NRCAN. In addition, based on the client’s needs, the project aims to improve the spatial features of the existing building by re-organizing the second-floor layout.
The retrofit design for this existing house was successful in achieving improved energy performance and comfort levels for the client. By exceeding the minimum insulation levels required by NRCAN (Natural Resources Canada) and building code and implementing an airtight structure with an efficient HVAC system, we reduced the EUI by 49.47% than baseline. This not only benefits our client by providing greater comfort, but it also contributes to reducing energy consumption and lowering the house’s carbon footprint. This design solution is a positive example of how energy optimization can be integrated into building retrofit projects.
Ubakus condensation analysis (Baseline Stage 1) : Walls above grade
The existing condition of the above grade stone wall assembly is 2’-0” of stone and 2x4 stud walls with 1/2” of gypsum board. As we can see there is inside condensation with drying time of 90 days.
Ubakus condensation analysis (Proposed Stage 4) : Walls above grade (Achieved R value : 40.3)
The proposed above grade stone wall assembly is 2’-0” of stone, sopraseal, 2” of aerogel, 2x4 stud walls filled with rockwool, vapor barrier and 1/2” of gypsum board. There is not condensation with excellent drying time.
Comparison R Value Table
Energy analysis (Autodesk Insight) : Benchmark Comparison
The Autodesk Insight energy modeling analysis showcases the remarkable energy efficiency improvements achieved through retrofitting a century-old house across four stages. Starting from a baseline of 569 kWh/m2/yr, advancements in building codes led to a 20% reduction, followed by a notable 33% improvement with NRCAN standards. Finally, at Stage 4, the house achieved an impressive 49.47% increase in efficiency, reaching a consumption level of 288 kWh/m2/yr. This progression highlights the significant strides made in enhancing energy performance through thoughtful retrofit strategies.
Stage 1 Baseline Stage 2 Building code Stage 3
Detail : Exterior wall to roof
Detail - window head and jamb
My journey from sketching to visualization in architecture is driven by a profound appreciation for the art of drawing. Drawing isn’t merely a technique; it’s a language of creativity and problem-solving, a means of documenting ideas’ evolution in architecture.
As I embark on this journey from sketching to visualization in architecture, I find myself at a fascinating crossroads, blending the timeless craft of drawing with the cutting-edge capabilities of artificial intelligence. Drawn to the simplicity and potency of sketching as a means of both creativity and communication, I’m driven by a desire to seamlessly integrate tradition and innovation.
Through this endeavor, my goal is to leverage AI tools to breathe life into my sketches, transforming them into dynamic visualizations that push the boundaries of design and expression. This union of human creativity and technological progress holds the promise of reshaping the very essence of the architectural creative process, igniting my enthusiasm as I venture into unexplored realms of possibility. Come along as I embark on this thrilling odyssey of exploration and discovery.
Thank You
Palak Prajapati