Isa Akerfeldt-Howard’s Post

Yesterday, Sam Lubell published a thought-provoking and informative piece in the New York Post about #passivehouse architecture. This type of architecture - based on German Passive House Institute principles - is a quickly-growing approach to building that sharply reduces energy use by going simple: employing techniques like #continuousinsulation, air-tight #sealing, and top-quality windows; making better use of both sun and shade and bringing in fresh air through advanced filtering.  Katrin Klingenberg, director of Phius (Passive House USA) says that a Passive House uses between 50 to 80% less energy than a typical building, depending on variables like size and location. That can add up to a lot of money. While many exterior cladding materials can be used in this type of #architecture, #EIFS is literally wired for it. In one of the projects mentioned in the article, noted architect Chris Benedict highlighted one of her #affordablehousing projects in #Bushwick. Knickerbocker Commons is clad in a geometric pattern of EIFS panels, which serve simultaneously as cladding and insulation, assuring a constant temperature and removing the risk that condensation or other problems can occur inside the walls. The project offered roughly 70% in energy savings while costing about the same as typical construction. Moreover, EIFS is a much more cost-compelling cladding solution than #oldfashioned materials like #brick, #stone and #masonry. In fact, recent data from RSMeans Data from Gordian points out that on a 15 story, newly constructed #apartment building in #Manhattan * purchasing and installing #curtainwall costs 37% more than it does for #EIFS cladding on a comparable building * purchasing and installing #brick costs 62.5% more than doing the same for an EIFS-clad building When factoring in the windows, using #EIFS can save building owners over $1M v. brick and curtain wall on this type of building. With continuous insulation integrated into a singular wall system that can mimic brick, stone, #wood, #metal, #stucco and multiple claddings, there has never been a better time to consider EIFS for a #newconstruction or #retrofit project. Learn more at www.eima.com #eima #passivehouse #energysavings #modernbuildingmaterials #contemporarybuildingpractices #costeffectivesolutions #aestheticflexibility

"Power-Saving Strategies and Sustainable Architecture Passive Solar Design Passive solar design is a fundamental approach to sustainable architecture that makes use of the power of natural resources, particularly the sun, to create energy-efficient buildings. The passive solar design maximizes the advantages of natural lighting and heat gain while minimizing the necessity of artificial heating and cooling systems by intelligently utilizing building orientation, window placement, and shading techniques. One of the critical principles of passive solar design is the strategic positioning of windows and glazing. During the colder months, when the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, south-facing windows are favored to capture the most light. By letting sunlight into the building, passive solar design reduces the need for traditional heating methods by taking advantage of solar heat gain. To improve solar heat gain, windows are designed to have a high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), which refers to the capacity of a window to transmit solar heat into the building. Additionally, windows coated with low emissivity (low-e) materials aid in reducing heat loss during colder months, maximizing energy efficiency. In passive solar design, shading techniques play a crucial role in preventing excessive heat gain in the hot months. When the sun is at a higher angle, overhangs, awnings, or louvers are strategically designed to prevent direct sunlight from entering the building.

Can a building truly 'respond' to its environment? Advancements in building technologies and materials have enabled the development of dynamic façades that adapt to changing environmental conditions, user preferences, and energy demands. These responsive façades incorporate innovative systems such as kinetic elements, adaptive shading devices, and smart glazing technologies to optimise performance and user comfort. One notable trend in dynamic rainscreen façade design is the integration of kinetic elements that respond to environmental stimuli such as sunlight, wind, or temperature. These kinetic façades can dynamically adjust their configuration, orientation, or permeability to optimise daylighting, ventilation, and solar control, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Similarly, the use of adaptive shading devices, such as automated louvers, fins, or blinds, allows architects to regulate solar heat gain and glare while maintaining access to natural light. These responsive shading systems can adjust their position, angle, or opacity in real-time based on climatic conditions, building orientation, and user preferences, improving thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption. As an example of architectural fins in use, Optima FC was chosen for The Core, Science Central project. The features of the building include horizontal and vertical fins projecting out from the panel joints. The features of the building include horizontal and vertical fins spanning out from each floor, created so that the gold anodised fins on the mid points of the panels hang over the floor below to create a picture frame effect. In this example, the expert team at Sotech worked closely with FaulknerBrowns Architects and installers CHARLES HENSHAW & SONS LIMITED to produce the unique panels for the project, which won the CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ award for being an incredible example of a sustainable building, and the Legacy Sustainability award. The installation of fins can be incorporated on site or fitted to the panels in the factory. Visit the Sotech web site to learn more and speak to an expert member of our team about dynamic features on your next project. https://lnkd.in/dZGgVg7

In Brunswick, Cumberland County, Maine, United States of America, Bowdoin College has completed a mass timber frame addition to their campus. The two new buildings, each have ample operable windows to allow views, natural sunlight, and fresh air for students and faculty. The buildings use of masstimber for the framework and brick for the facade, allowed the architects to lower the buildings embodied carbon footprint by 75% compared to more traditional building methods of steel and concrete. The buildings are the first commercial wood frame construction buildings in the state. The buildings further their sustainability initiatives by being entirely electric and utilizing a solar array on the campus for their energy usage. The designers also planted 80 trees across the site to compliment and enhance the existing surrounding forest. The project is a great example of ways that higher education can further their sustainability methods and implementation in a way that benefits not only the students and faculty on campus but in the community as a whole. #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #sustainability #highereducation #design #architecture #architecturedesign #sustainableconstruction #masstimber #masstimberconstruction #renewableenergy #renewables #energyefficiency

There's a lot to learn from passive house design. Note that there's insulation under the floor, in the walls, and under the roof in this diagram. Also note that there's no basement included. Construction can be very tight today and heat exchangers are important for adequate fresh air. #realtor #architect #energy #efficiency #cambridge #massachusetts

Ever wondered why pole buildings are revolutionising rural architecture? Pole buildings are not just structures; they're masterpieces of efficiency. Originating in the 1930s during the Great Depression, these buildings were an answer to the need for economical construction methods. Fast forward to today, and they stand as a testament to sustainable building practices. Why, you ask? Firstly, the construction time. Pole buildings are known for their rapid assembly, cutting down on labour costs and time. This isn't just about speed; it's about reducing the environmental footprint by minimising the duration of construction activities. Secondly, let's talk about insulation. With the right design, these buildings boast superior insulation properties, leading to lower energy bills. This isn't just good for your wallet; it's a step forward in reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. But here's the kicker: The flexibility of design. Pole buildings can be adapted for various uses, from agricultural storage to retail spaces. This adaptability means that as needs change, the buildings can too, without the need for new construction materials. Yet, despite these advantages, pole buildings remain an underexplored option in many regions. It's time we looked beyond traditional construction methods and embraced more sustainable, efficient alternatives. Let's start a conversation about innovative building solutions. Have you considered the benefits of pole buildings in your projects? Engage below with your thoughts and experiences.

How to bring Sustainability to building practices: Sustainable Skyscrapers and Wooden Cities.   Business Insider reports on the shift to timber, and how it is meant to bring sustainability back to building practices, and how architects and builders have proved that it is possible. (link below) “The sky is the limit when it comes to wooden structures.”   In Sweden, architects are attempting to journey back to the days before concrete, bricks, and steel, and building impressive towers made with timber, The Washington Post reported. (link below)   ·      Wood-based architecture is the future of sustainable building ·      Enabling carbon negative process ·      The buildings will store nearly carbon dioxide ·      Enabling offset of carbon used during construction ·      Next, putting together plans to construct whole wooden cities What about fire? There are processes in place to ensure the safety of these buildings, such as using fire-resistant coatings on buildings. Link Washington Post article: https://lnkd.in/eQ62cF-a   #greentransition #Sustainablebuildings #sustainablecities

Ever wondered why pole buildings are revolutionising rural architecture? Pole buildings are not just structures; they're masterpieces of efficiency. Originating in the 1930s during the Great Depression, these buildings were an answer to the need for economical construction methods. Fast forward to today, and they stand as a testament to sustainable building practices. Why, you ask? Firstly, the construction time. Pole buildings are known for their rapid assembly, cutting down on labour costs and time. This isn't just about speed; it's about reducing the environmental footprint by minimising the duration of construction activities. Secondly, let's talk about insulation. With the right design, these buildings boast superior insulation properties, leading to lower energy bills. This isn't just good for your wallet; it's a step forward in reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. But here's the kicker: The flexibility of design. Pole buildings can be adapted for various uses, from agricultural storage to retail spaces. This adaptability means that as needs change, the buildings can too, without the need for new construction materials. Yet, despite these advantages, pole buildings remain an underexplored option in many regions. It's time we looked beyond traditional construction methods and embraced more sustainable, efficient alternatives. Let's start a conversation about innovative building solutions. Have you considered the benefits of pole buildings in your projects? Engage below with your thoughts and experiences.

Architects need design freedom for choosing building materials, systems, and solutions. This is crucially important for BIPV facades, which require energy capture function to be integrated into the building envelope design, while maintaining aesthetic preferences and effective performance. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/e9MMyAh3 #Facades #BIPVFacades #Cladding

It’s not every day when one expects to see an extremely readable and readily-understandable article from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but this Technology Review piece is exactly that. Written at the end of last year by Patrick Sisson, the article entitled “Is this the most energy-efficient way to build homes?” discusses the ways in which #passivehouse construction can cut energy use by about 90% over conventional construction methods and materials. The article lists five key elements of Passive House Institute construction, and interestingly three of them directly relate to the attributes of #EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) cladding. Quoting from the piece below, they are: “2. Airtight building envelope. Keeping air, and thus heat, from leaking out or in reduces the need for heating or cooling. 3. Climate-appropriate insulation levels. Since homes are even built entirely from insulating materials to minimize the need for energy supply. 4. Thermal-bridge-free design. Weak points in a building envelope that allow heat to drain out are eliminated.” With #continuousinsulation integrated into a singular wall system, EIFS does all of these things. Not surprisingly, EIFS were one of the original claddings that met the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s requirements for continuous insulation outlined by ASHRAE 90.1 over 10 years ago. Moreover, today’s EIFS with Drainage can mimic #brick, #stone, #wood, #metal, #stucco and multiple claddings with lightweight configurations that are ideal for both #retrofit and #newconstruction applications. And according to RSMeans Data from Gordian, EIFS is installed at a #pricepoint that is much more #costeffective than #brick, #stone, #precast, #metal and #curtainwall systems. There has never been a better time to consider EIFS, and go to www.EIMA.com to learn more. #eima #construction #architecture #design #sustainability #climatechange #greenbuilding #affordabledesign #modernbuildingmaterial