Passive Design Examples

Functions of a building
 Provide shelter
 Provide (thermal) comfort
 Facilitate activities
 Convey social and cultural meaning
Strategies by Climate
 Hot dry climate

 Temp variation is large

 Provide nocturnal ventilative cooling
 Use thick walls, small openings
 Close windows during day
 Open at night
Elementary school, Phoenix, Arizona
High school, Israel
Gallery, Phoenix – Arizona
Phoenix solar oasis model
 Hot humid climate

 Reduce air temperature

 Increase air movement
 Reduce humidity (active only)
 Reduce MRT (east and west facades
Nago city hall
House at
Kokuba,
Japan
Tropical rural hospital
House in Queensland, Australia
A Family House, Brisbane, Australia
 Temperate Climate

 Requires heating in winter but cooling in

summer days (air temp may fall bellow
comfort zone in summer night).
 Passive heating in winter
 Shading and ventilative cooling in summer
House in Perth, Australia
House in Sydney, Australia
House in Tsuda Cho, Japan
Office in
Okayama
Greenhouse exhibition,
Connecticut, USA
 Cold climate
 Add heat (active)
 Minimize heat loss
 Reduce air movement
 Heat loss by convection, evaporation
 Raise MRT
 Heat loss by radiation
Library,
Vail, Colorado-USA
Cody House, Wyoming USA
House near Canberra, Australia
House in
Lounceston,
Tasmania
 30, S t. Ma ry Axe
(S wis s Re Building)
London

Fos te r a nd P a rtne rs
City of London Authority
Building
Foster and Partners
The buildings orientation and form have been designed to
save energy. Its shape is derived from a geometrically
modified sphere, a form which contains the greatest volume
with least surface area. The energy consumption of the
mechanical systems is approximately 25% that of a typical
prestige office (mechanical systems account for approx 40%
of total energy consumption.

Cooling is achieved by borehole water, eliminating the need

for chillers. After being used for cooling the water is used for
toilet flushing and landscape irrigation. Spaces are naturally
ventilated wherever possible.