Passive Houses: What, Why and Where?

Undoubtedly, over the past few decades, there is a troublesome change in the environment, which the current generation is experiencing. Factors like global temperature rise, high carbon footprint and unceremonious changes in climate, are becoming a cause of worry at an alarming rate. Not only humans, these rapid transformations affect every being on the planet alike; be it a dog, tiger or even an ant. Architects and researchers, since a long time, have been working on techniques and measures to create structures that are energy efficient and sustainable, to help curb environmental hazards.

One such impressive design philosophy called the “Passivhaus” or “Passive Houses” originated less than a decade ago, in Germany. This philosophy provides standards which ensure the energy efficiency of a building by reducing its ecological footprint by utilizing measures that don’t require much external energy for heating or cooling of spaces. These structures are designed so immaculately that they’re capable of maintaining the overall temperature of the house without the use of active heating / cooling systems like ACs and heaters.

Getting inspired from these techniques, designers in America started working towards creating such houses, and Brooklyn was the pioneer city to have one of its own Passive House. The most amazing feature of these houses is that the interior spaces are extremely comfortable and quiet. This is made possible because the walls are thick and insulated, as well as the building envelope is airtight. Ventilators are installed in each house to recover energy by recycling the air and bringing in fresh and cleaner air every time. Filters installed in these ventilators also reduce the dust and dirt quotient and help eliminate allergies and also asthmatic symptoms.

Perch Harlem in New York designed by Ar. Chris Benedict, who has been working towards environmental friendly architecture since 1995, is one such masterpiece in the domain of eco-friendly and passive houses. Justin Palmer, the CEO and founder of Synapse Development Group, who is being referred to as the Tesla of Housing, is the man responsible for making this project come to life.  It is a seven-story multi-family building with a total of 34 units, consisting of a mix of studio apartments to three bedroom units as well as penthouses. Apart from this, amenities like private gym, rooftop terrace, bicycle storage and a lounge are also available for the residents.

The walls seal the building and provide triple insulation, thus there is no loss of energy; in terms of heat or sound. "When the windows are closed you can barely hear the garbage trucks and the traffic and other things going on outside. That is priceless in my mind!" says Ar. Benedict.

The elevation has been worked out strategically, with a myriad of large sized, square and rectangular windows placed in a manner, which maximizes the natural solar heat, entering the apartments. There are smaller triple-paned windows which are operable and can be opened to let in fresh air when required. Another admirable design feature is that the position of these window openings have been determined by the building loads, creating a balance between the structural and architectural designs and producing the final product as one complete entity.  

Apart from these features that the structure offers, post-consumer recycled paper, called Richlite are used in the lobbies and corridors. This material is extremely versatile and durable, making the cost of maintenance negligible. The designers believe that the apartment is economically well-priced and comparatively affordable as compared to their neighbours to the south of them.