๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป.
The critical agenda of achieving energy efficient building design is currently an ever-increasing urgency. This means that the designs of buildings and spaces are constantly being challenged to achieve high standards of energy performance. One could question why or when did this ever stop? Have architects or developers been too focused on output rather than quality?
One could argue that key catalysts in driving sustainable and energy efficient design such as โGlobal Warmingโ, a slogan which has been used for decades and now the โThe Climate Crisis Emergencyโ, have awakened the general publicโs awareness of what architecture should have always been.
Early in the design process it is key to understand the significance of a buildingโs orientation, whether existing or proposed. Building orientation is a crucial factor that Architects train to observe early on in their educational curriculum, understanding how it affects the overall building design and placement. Knowledge is acquired to identify how orientation affects elements such as, the specification of the overall fabric: developing envelope build-ups and material choice, windows: their number, size and placement, roof design: their profiles and overhangs, together with shading devices: their calculated placement and format.
The importance of building/space orientation becomes ever more clear when applying the science of Passivhaus to building design. Backed up by proven science and mathematical formulae, the Passivhaus model accurately identifies the energy performance of a building prior to anyone โputting a spade in the groundโ, with orientation a key factor in determining this.
Working hand in hand with orientation is determining the Heat Loss Form Factor (HLFF) of a building. During the initial design stage for Passivhaus projects, determining the HLFF of a building is key, a critical metric for quantifying how compact a building is and its impact on energy efficiency. Heat Loss Form Factor calculations allow for Passivhaus designers to present to their client a โballparkโ energy performance at early concept design stages.
As certified PH designers, we at Lytle Associates Architects can help you realise these requirements in the initial stages of your project development. Contact us today to discuss:
โ๏ธ (+44) 01483 301 661
๐จ prawsthorn@lytle-associates.com
๐ www.lytle-associates.com
LytleAssociates Architects
PassivhausTrust
PassiveHouse Institute | iPHA
Architects Registration Board
RIBA
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