Head Office

30A Clooney Terrace,
L'Derry,
BT47 6AR

Email:

davidgraham@adms-ni.com

Telephone:

+44 (0) 28 71 341 260
+44 (0) 77 11 518 450

Passive House Design

ADMS Architects are Certified Passive House Designers.

We hold full accreditation from the PassivHaus Institute, Darmstadt, Germany.

This is the only recognised professional body which offers this accreditation, without which no designer can truly claim to be a “certified” passive house designer.

As with our professional accreditations with the Architects Registration Board and Royal Institute of Architects, we are proud to be able to offer these distinguished levels of service to our clients.

What is a Passive House?

A Passive House is an energy-efficient building standard that prioritizes reducing the need for active heating and cooling systems. It achieves this through a combination of excellent insulation, airtight construction, high-performance windows, and controlled ventilation. The goal is to create a comfortable indoor environment while significantly lowering energy consumption and environmental impact.

What are the main elements of passive house design?

Passive house design incorporates key elements like:

  • Superior Insulation: Thorough insulation to minimize heat transfer through walls, roof, and floor.
  • Airtight Construction: Ensures minimal air leakage, preventing heat loss and maintaining energy efficiency.
  • High-Performance Windows and Doors: Triple-glazed windows and insulated doors with airtight seals to reduce heat exchange.
  • Ventilation with Heat Recovery: Controlled mechanical ventilation system to maintain fresh indoor air while recovering and reusing heat from outgoing air.
  • Optimized Solar Gain: Strategic placement and sizing of windows to maximize passive solar heat in winter and minimize overheating in summer.
  • Thermal Bridge-Free Design: Minimizing thermal bridges, areas where heat can escape more easily, to enhance overall insulation effectiveness.
  • Energy-Efficient Appliances and Lighting: Integration of energy-efficient systems to further reduce overall energy consumption.

These elements collectively contribute to creating a comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly living space in a passive house.

How does a certified passive house architect approach their work?

A Passive House architect prioritizes energy efficiency by employing strategies like superior insulation, airtight construction, and advanced ventilation systems. They carefully analyze site conditions, climate, and building orientation to optimize passive solar gains. This meticulous approach aims to minimize energy consumption, ensuring a comfortable and sustainable living environment for occupants.

What are the benefits of using a certified passive house designer?

A certified Passive House designer brings expertise in designing ultra-energy-efficient buildings, ensuring optimal insulation, airtightness, and ventilation. This leads to reduced energy consumption, lower utility costs, enhanced indoor comfort, and a smaller environmental footprint due to decreased reliance on heating and cooling systems.

 

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