Passive Design Research Articles

Towards Sustainable Architecture: Energy Storing Bricks and Photovoltaic Systems for Self-Sufficient Residential Housing

This paper addresses the urgent global challenge of climate change by proposing a novel approach to residential architecture that combines passive design with active energy systems. Current studies show that buildings contribute 30% of the global energy consumption and is expected to increase with worldwide rising energy demands including in Indonesia. Studies have shown the abundance of solar exposure in Indonesia. This calls for the maximisation of photovoltaic system an electricity generation system that produces the least amount of CO2. The existing public preference of bricks as residential building materials for its structural integrity and passive design qualities highlights the potential of implementing energy storing bricks technology findings from Washington University. This paper presents a concept that combines photovoltaic (PV) systems with energy-storing bricks to create a self-sufficient home that can produce and store its own electricity. Our goal is to optimize both passive and active design approaches in order to maintain or enhance the standard of living that exists today while simultaneously move toward a sustainable future at the same time. Further empirical research is required to confirm the viability and efficiency of this innovative architectural approach.

Passive House-based energy efficiency design criteria: a case study of a residential building in Cairo

PurposeThe study aims to tackle Egypt's rising electricity consumption due to climate change and population growth, focusing on the building sector, which accounts for up to 60% of the issue, by developing new energy-efficient design guidelines for Egyptian buildings.Design/methodology/approachThis study comprises six key steps. A literature review focuses on energy consumption and efficiency in buildings, monitoring a single-family building in Cairo, using Energy Plus for simulation and verification, performing multi-objective optimization, comparing energy performance between base and controlled cases, and developing a localized version of the Passive House (PH) called Energy Efficiency Design Criteria (EEDC).FindingsThe research shows that applying the (EEDC) suggested by this study can decrease energy consumption by up to 58% and decrease cooling consumption by up to 63% in residential buildings in Egypt while providing thermal comfort and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can benefit users, alleviate local power grid strain, contribute to Egypt's economy, and serve as a model for other countries with similar climates.Originality/valueTo date, no studies have focused on developing energy-efficient design standards tailored to the Egyptian climate and context using the Passive House Criteria concept. This study contributes to the field by identifying key principles, design details, and goal requirements needed to promote energy-efficient design standards for residential buildings in Egypt.

Passive sampler housing and sorbent type determine aquatic micropollutant adsorption and subsequent bioassay responses

The combination of integrative passive sampling and bioassays is a promising approach for monitoring the toxicity of polar organic contaminants in aquatic environments. However, the design of integrative passive samplers can affect the accumulation of compounds and therewith the bioassay responses. The present study aimed to determine the effects of sampler housing and sorbent type on the number of chemical features accumulated in polar passive samplers and the subsequent bioassay responses to extracts of these samplers. To this end, four integrative passive sampler configurations, resulting from the combination of polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) and Speedisk housings with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and hydrophilic divinylbenzene sorbents, were simultaneously exposed at reference and contaminated surface water locations. The passive sampler extracts were subjected to chemical non-target screening and a battery of five bioassays. Extracts from POCIS contained a higher number of chemical features and caused higher bioassay responses in 91% of cases, while the two sorbents accumulated similar numbers of features and caused equally frequent but different bioassay responses. Hence, the passive sampler design critically affected the number of accumulated polar organic contaminants as well as their toxicity, highlighting the importance of passive sampler design for effect-based water quality assessment.

A low-frequency pure metal metamaterial absorber with continuously tunable stiffness

To address the incompatibility between high environmental adaptability and deep subwavelength characteristics in conventional local resonance metamaterials, and overcome the deficiencies in the stability of existing active control techniques for band gaps, this paper proposes a design method of pure metal vibration damping metamaterial with continuously tunable stiffness for wideband elastic wave absorption. We design a dual-helix narrow-slit pure metal metamaterial unit, which possesses the triple advantage of high spatial compactness, low stiffness characteristics, and high structural stability, enabling the opening of elastic flexural band gaps in the low-frequency range. Similar to the principle of a sliding rheostat, the introduction of continuously sliding plug-ins into the helical slits enables the continuous variation of the stiffness of the metamaterial unit, achieving a continuously tunable band gap effect. This successfully extends the effective band gap by more than ten times. The experimental results indicate that this metamaterial unit can be used as an additional vibration absorber to absorb the low-frequency vibration energy effectively. Furthermore, it advances the metamaterial absorbers from a purely passive narrowband design to a wideband tunable one. The pure metal double-helix metamaterials retain the subwavelength properties of metamaterials and are suitable for deployment in harsh environments. Simultaneously, by adjusting its stiffness, it substantially broadens the effective band gap range, presenting promising potential applications in various mechanical equipment operating under adverse conditions.

ANALYSING THE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGY OF SINDH AND BALOCHISTAN: DWELLINGS AND THEIR VERNACULAR DESIGN

This paper analyzes the vernacular architecture in the hot-arid regions of Balochistan and Sindh to identify indigenous construction techniques and design strategies that have been part of the vernacular architectural tradition of the aforementioned regions. The paper aims to connect the age-old oral traditions of the remote region concerning construction techniques and materiality that have been translated into the vernacular architectural language/construction methodologies, dwelling layouts, and the overall identity of the region. Through a case study methodology of the local housing typologies found in the selected regions, the research will analyze various dwelling archetypes and their construction materials found in the highlighted region, such as the Chapper House, Kothi House, Chaunro House, built using rammed earth, compressed earth blocks, bamboo, and adobe. Furthermore, the research methodology also involves the analysis of relevant passive design strategies found in the identified vernacular case studies, such as verandahs, courtyards, clustering of houses, ventilation, and Jaali's, which will be identified and analyzed to understand their effectiveness as vernacular design strategies in combating the challenges of the harsh desert climate. Keywords: Vernacular architecture, Passive Design, Dwellings, Extreme Climate, Vernacular Materials

Evaluation of Urban Renewal Projects in the Historical Texture Within the Framework of Passive Design Strategies; A Case of Diyarbakır-Suriçi Alipaşa-Lalebey Neighborhood

Evaluation of Urban Renewal Projects in the Historical Texture Within the Framework of Passive Design Strategies; A Case of Diyarbakır-Suriçi Alipaşa-Lalebey Neighborhood

Residents’ thermal comfort in Swedish newly built homes: political aesthetics and atmospheric practices

This paper draws on a case study of newly constructed passive houses in Sweden and explores how architecture and the material influence everyday life. We suggest the new aesthetics as a potential theoretical tool for understanding user experiences of low-energy housing, an approach that considers how atmospheres are produced and consumed, by whom and by what means. We approach passive house designs as the materialisation of environmental sustainability, facilitating the fulfilment of long-term goals for energy efficiency and renewable materials. In our case study, apartment designs involving lofts, timber and extensive glazing sometimes conflicted with the passive house concept once the residents had settled in their homes. Some designs, for example lofts, failed to facilitate comfortable everyday life, while designs with renewable materials enhanced a homely atmosphere. We propose to acknowledge the labour that is required by the residents of these buildings to create thermal comfort at home.

Basics of energy-efficiency of renovation of existing office buildings and restoration of listed buildings

The article highlights the basics of energy-efficiency of renovation of existing office buildings, adaptive reuse of buildings for the office function and energy restoration of listed buildings. The advantages of renovation over the new construction in terms of sustainability and reduction of energy consumption were considered. Three different approaches to energy renovation were studied, depending on the location of the buildings and their listing status: existing buildings located outside the historical areas of the cities; existing buildings located in the historical areas of cities; and listed buildings. Principles and methods of energy-efficient renovation of existing office buildings and energy restoration of listed buildings were reviewed. As for the listed buildings, during the modernization or restoration aiming the increase of energy efficiency - the material component of the buildings, which determines its authenticity, should be preserved as much as possible. Regarding the renovation of existing not listed buildings but located in the historical areas - the height, scale, plastic solution, character, finishing materials, etc. must be preserved. It has to be done in order to preserve the identity and the character of the historically inherited environment of a certain area of the city. A list of passive and active design strategies for energy consumption reduction of office buildings during renovation and energy-efficient restoration was provided. Including following passive strategies: facades and roof insulation; low infiltration values; optimization of the glazing ratio; optimal selection of glazing types; use of solar shading devices; use of daylight; passive heating due to solar radiation in winter; use of natural ventilation; integration of greenery into the building; use of internal structures of the building with high heat capacity; use of "double" glass facades, etc. The limitations that reduce the possibilities of energy modernization of listed buildings were considered. Ukrainian and foreign case-studies of renovation, adaptive reuse and restoration were researched and critically analyzed.

Thermal conditions and daylight availability in different zones of courtyard buildings; a study in Iran

ABSTRACT Passive design strategies enhance indoor thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption in buildings located in hot climates. Thus, exploring the various zones of a house’s yard can yield valuable insights for devising a plan that achieves high energy and lighting efficiency. This study examines the climate-responsive design strategies of 20 traditional courtyard buildings in Birjand’s hot and dry climate. These courtyard houses informed modelling a new hypothetical house in DesignBuilder. Two main orientations (45° = NE–SW, and 315° = NW–SE) were used for comparing their impact on indoor air temperature, solar gain and daylight factor across various courtyard zones. The findings indicate that during winter, the interiors of courtyard houses maintain a temperature higher than the exterior, while in summer, they remain cooler than outside conditions. Concerning the influence of orientation on indoor climates, the NE–SW orientation yielded the greatest solar gains for windows in the northern and western zones. Conversely, in the NW–SE orientation, the most substantial solar gains were recorded for windows in the northern and eastern zones. Additionally, the study noted a marginal variation in the daylight factor across different zones of the courtyard houses when comparing the two orientations.

Quantifying the Enhanced Performance of Multifamily Residential Passive House over Conventional Buildings in Terms of Energy Use

In response to escalating energy demands and global warming concerns, the Passive House Standard has emerged as a solution in residential construction, aiming to drastically reduce energy consumption and operational costs primarily through high-performance building envelopes. While a considerable volume of the literature has focused on the Passivhaus Institute (PHI) standards, predominantly in European contexts, there is a gap in research on the Passive House Institute US (Phius) standards, particularly in North American climates. This study conducts a quantitative comparative analysis of two adjacent multifamily residential buildings in Central Pennsylvania, Climate Zone 5A—one built using conventional construction methods and the other following Passive House (PHIUS+ 2015) certification standards—to validate the energy efficiency improvements attributed to Passive House designs. A comparative analysis of the whole building energy use over two years reveals that the Passive House building consumes approximately 50% less energy than its conventional counterpart in terms of whole building energy use and the national median recommended benchmark metric defined by the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. These findings emphasize the potential for significant energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions in residential buildings, highlighting the necessity for policymakers and governments to incentivize the adoption of Passive House standards to achieve environmental sustainability and reduce energy costs for society.

Passive thermal control design and flight operation results of nano moon lander OMOTENASHI

OMOTENASHI is a 6U CubeSat launched by the first NASA SLS rocket. Its mission was to demonstrate that a CubeSat can make a semi-hard landing on the Moon. Tight resource constraints make it difficult to mount a heater and a radiator in a CubeSat, so passive thermal control is a prominent design feature of OMOTENASHI that resolves the technical difficulty. In November 2019, a thermal vacuum test was conducted. This paper discusses the thermal design and the test results. OMOTENASHI was launched by SLS rocket on November 16, 2022. After the SLS rocket separation, OMOTENASHI's attitude control malfunctioned so it could not generate power from its solar cells. Eventually, communications were lost and have not been restored. Brief telemetry data confirmed that the temperature monitor functioned correctly for 30 min. This paper reports the flight results of the thermal status during the first ground station pass. Also, a comparison between the analysis model and telemetry data is shown. Finally, based on its estimated trajectory, the future thermal profile of the spacecraft and the result of the search operation are discussed.

Challenges and Strategies for Achieving High Energy Efficiency in Building Districts

Achieving climate neutrality requires reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the building sector, which has prompted increasing attention towards nearly zero energy, zero energy, and positive energy communities of buildings; there is a need to determine how individual buildings up to communities of buildings can become more energy efficient. This study addresses the scientific problem of optimizing energy efficiency strategies in building areas and identifies gaps in existing theories related to passive design strategies, active energy systems, and renewable energy integration. This study delineates boundaries at the building and community scales to examine the challenges of attaining energy efficiency goals and to emphasize the intricate processes of selecting, integrating, and optimizing energy systems in buildings. The four boundaries describe: (B1) energy flows through the building envelope; (B2) energy flows through heating, ventilation, air conditioning and energy systems; (B3) energy flows through individual buildings; (B4) energy flows through a community of buildings. Current theories often treat these elements in isolation, and significant gaps exist in interdisciplinary integration, scalable frameworks, and the consideration of behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Achieving nearly zero energy, zero energy, and positive energy communities requires seamless integration of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and energy management systems. The proposed boundaries B1–B4 can help not only in analyzing the various challenges for achieving high energy efficiency in building communities but also in defining and evaluating these communities and establishing fair methods for energy distribution within them. The results demonstrate that these boundaries provide a comprehensive framework for energy-efficient designs, constructions, and operational practices across multiple buildings, ensuring equitable energy distribution and optimized performance. In addition, the definition of boundaries as B1-B4 contributes to providing an interface for energy-efficient designs, constructions and operational practices across multiple buildings.

Class-E, active electrically small antenna with enhanced bandwidth-efficiency product and high radiated power at the high-frequency (HF) band

Antennas operating at the high-frequency (HF) band (3–30 MHz) are frequently electrically small due to the large wavelength of electromagnetic waves (10–100 m). However, the bandwidth-efficiency products of passively matched electrically small antennas (ESAs) are fundamentally limited. Wideband HF waveforms using bandwidths of 24 kHz or more have recently received significant attention in military communications applications. Efficiently radiating such signals from conventional passive ESAs is very challenging due to fundamental physical limits on bandwidth-efficiency products of ESAs. However, active antennas are not subject to the same constraints. In this work, we present the design and experimental characterization of a high-power, class-E active ESA with enhanced bandwidth-efficiency product compared to that of passively matched ESAs. Specifically, the proposed class-E active ESA can radiate wideband HF signals with bandwidths of 24 kHz or more at 3 MHz (fractional bandwidths of ≈1%–4%), with total efficiencies ranging from 40% up to 80% depending on the modulation type and radiated power levels approaching 100 W. Our approach uses a highly efficient, integrated class-E switching circuit specifically designed to drive an electrically small, high-Q HF antenna over a bandwidth exceeding 24 kHz at 3 MHz. Using a high-Q RLC antenna model, we have successfully demonstrated wideband binary ASK, PSK, and FSK modulations with the proposed class-E active ESA. Experimental results indicate that the bandwidth-efficiency product of this class-E active ESA is 5.4–9.8 dB higher than that of an equivalent passive design with the same data rate and bit-error-rate.

Comprehensive assessment of PCM integrated roof for passive building design: A study in energo-economics

There has been a notable surge in energy demand within the building sector of developing nations, particularly in the context of space cooling and heating, which constitute significant portions of energy consumption. The thermal performance of a building’s roof slab plays a crucial role in determining these heating and cooling requirements. To address this, the utilization of Phase Change Material (PCM) to enhance the building’s thermal energy storage capacity has emerged as an innovative strategy for reducing energy demand. This study assesses the thermal behavior of a building envelope integrated with macroencapsulated PCM in a real subtropical environment. Experimental setups include both a conventional slab unit (Ref–SU) devoid of PCM and a PCM (OM37) integrated slab unit (Exp–SU). Analysis entails examining variations in temperature, heat flow, thermal loadings, and maximum heat gain reduction. Economic metrics, such as electricity savings, simple payback periods, and CO2 emissions savings, are also scrutinized. The investigation aims to elucidate the efficacy and underlying parameters governing the PCM’s performance in reducing thermal loads in the Indian city of Rupnagar. Findings indicate that the Exp–SU configuration reduces indoor temperatures by 4.0 °C during sunny hours, resulting in 33.33 % more electricity savings for space cooling compared to heating, with a simple payback period of 5.7 years. Additionally, the heat flux in Exp–SU is reduced by 60.6 % compared to Ref–SU and thermal load by up to 49.8 %. Furthermore, Exp–SU achieves a 44.24 % reduction in CO2 emissions for space cooling compared to heating with a maximum heat gain reduction of 40.3 %.

Simulation and optimization of EMI filter of conducted emission for high voltage gain DC-DC converter

In the continuity of the work on design of high voltage gain DC-DC converter, used for feeding the CubeSat electrospray thrusters with a variable output voltage according to the maneuver size, this paper introduces a simulation of the converter model with MATLAB/Simulink to determine its conducted emission level. By referring to the MIL-STD-461 standard, a required passive electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter parameters are calculated to reduce, under thresholds, the converter noise. With consideration of the available volume and power constraints in this kind of satellite, the design of common-mode (CM) choke is optimized with proposed procedure optimization, so as to reduce its volume and electrical losses. Also, this optimization procedure can be generalized and applied for any passive EMI filter design.

Effect of Passive Energy Efficiency Measures in Designing Sustainable Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria

This study aims to develop a design for a sustainable healthcare centre through passive energy efficiency measures to improve the thermal comfort, cooling, lighting and ventilation requirements for primary healthcare centres in Nigeria. The methodology adopted for the study included both primary and secondary data collection. Primary data were collected from the administered questionnaire (5-point Likert scale closed-ended), a total of 350 sets of questionnaires administered and 87% were valid. A case study research strategy was adopted to ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of building design with an emphasis on sustainable architectural design principles. A significant regression equation was revealed (F (2,257) = 33.619, p <.000, with an R2 of 0.294, which revealed that implementing passive measures for energy optimization has a significant and positive effect on designing sustainable healthcare centres. It further recommends the integration of passive design, design for deconstruction, adaptive reuse, and design for human comfort as part of architectural design principles that would result in sustainable energy optimization should be adopted in every design of primary healthcare centres by architects.

ESTIMATION OF GREEN BUILDING OVER CONVENTIONAL BUILDING

This report investigates the comparative costs and benefits of green building versus conventional building practices. By integrating five advanced techniques: Biophilic Design, Passive House Design Strategies, Digital Twin Technology, Net Zero Energy Techniques, and Water Harvesting System into the construction of a conventional building, we transformed it into a green building at an additional cost of approximately ₹6,72,420. The total cost for constructing the green building amounted to ₹24,23,876.78, inclusive of the base cost of a conventional building. The study outlines a comprehensive methodological approach, which includes creating theoretical models, conducting cost analyses using current market rates in India, and evaluating environmental impacts through carbon emissions calculations. The findings reveal that although the initial costs for green buildings are higher, they offer substantial long-term benefits, including reduced operational expenses, improved occupant health, and minimized environmental footprints. Green buildings are designed to maximize resource efficiency, enhance indoor air quality, and utilize renewable energy sources, resulting in significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. This investment in sustainable construction practices not only promotes environmental stewardship but also ensures economic viability through long-term savings and improved occupant well-being. The transition to green buildings is a crucial step towards addressing climate change and fostering sustainable development for future generations. This report underscores the importance of adopting green building techniques and demonstrates that the benefits far outweigh the initial financial outlay, making green buildings a worthwhile investment for a sustainable future.

Passive energy-saving design strategy and realization on high window-wall ratio buildings in subtropical regions

Indoor overheating in high window-wall ratio (WWR) buildings has drawn widespread attention, but there is limited research on it during winter. Similarly, the application of radiative cooling (RC) technology on high-WWR facades and the effectiveness of combining RC with phase change materials (PCMs) need exploration. In Guangzhou, typical rooms in commercial buildings were studied, revealing that high-WWR buildings experience greater indoor overheating in winter compared to summer. For a 100 % WWR, the total equivalent energy consumption (EEC) is 71.389 kWh·m−2 in winters, 7.8 % higher than summer. Using RC glass with high solar (diffuse) reflectivity (0.65) on south-facing windows reduced EEC by over 70 %. RC glass also provided significant cooling capacity during unoccupied periods, which is sufficient to meet daytime cooling needs. In the case of a 100 % WWR, the proportion of available cooling capacity (37.5 %) during unoccupied period exceeded daytime cooling EEC (24.9 %). Therefore, PCMs were adopted to store this cooling capacity and transfer it for release during the occupied period, which bring an additional improvement in energy-saving performance by 4.7 %. The combination of PCMs and RC technology further achieves building energy efficiency. This study offers insights for addressing winter indoor overheating in high-WWR buildings.

Multi-objective hierarchical strategy for university dorm renovation in severe cold areas

In China, there are many old buildings whose renovation could enhance building environment quality, reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and create economic benefits. However, there is currently a lack of efficient architectural renovation optimization methods to provide decision-makers and designers with highly feasible renovation plans. This paper proposes an innovative optimization method for renovating old buildings to address this issue. The research employs a hierarchical optimization framework integrating Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), the NSGA-II algorithm, and the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method. The first layer's three-objective optimization using the trained neural network model significantly improves the algorithm's efficiency in searching for optimal solutions. The second layer's entropy-weighted TOPSIS optimization includes eight objective optimizations, such as energy, economy, and lighting, thus broadening the assessment dimensions. Taking an old multi-story university dormitory in the Shenyang area as an example, the study optimizes nine passive design variables across eight objectives. The hierarchical optimization results show that the high-scoring renovation plans can save 1.52 to 3.17 million yuan in energy costs over the building's remaining lifecycle and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 644–962 kg per square meter. SRRC results indicate that external windows significantly impact economic efficiency and energy consumption, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right type of windows in actual engineering projects. The new method proposed in this study can offers a comprehensive and highly feasible renovation plan for old buildings.

Three birds with one stone strategy: A tri-modal radiator based on the cooling-compensation-heating effect

Passive radiative using solar energy for energy gain is receiving increasing attention as a green and sustainable energy supply method. However, passive radiative designs of existing materials are usually static and unsuitable for dynamic seasonal and weather changes. Here, we explore an efficient design of a temperature-adaptive thermal management sandwich structure that integrates passive daytime radiative cooling/heating and temperature control of phase change materials. Compared with conventional passive radiators, the developed phase change material-enhanced radiative cooler/heater (PDHM) can be flipped to adjust thermal management performance according to seasonal and diurnal temperature changes. The radiative cooling layer (PDRC) has a high solar reflectance (95%) and a high infrared emissivity (97%). The phase change layer (PCM) acts as an effective compensation for temperature, causing the PDRC cooling power to rise and fall by 15 W·m−2 during daytime and nighttime. The radiative heating layer (PDRH) has a low infrared emissivity (75.6%) and a high solar absorptivity (85.7%). The final PDHM aerogel achieves 11 °C below ambient temperature and 25 °C above ambient temperature under direct sunlight in summer and winter, and it leads to an increase in the average nighttime temperatures of 2.1 °C and 1 °C in summer and winter, reducing the diurnal temperature difference. Thus, the temperature-adaptive PDHM shows great potential for passive radiative regulation, which can further extend the application of passive radiators.