Spaces & Flows: Ninth International Conference on Urban and ExtraUrban Studies

Abstract

Our endeavor as a scholarly team, undergraduate researcher and faculty mentor, is a furtherance of a study which began in Europe, centered in Freiburg, Germany, as part of a research grant which included on-site observations and documentation of passive design. Europe is decades ahead of us; our recommendation: let’s catch up, at least! Research involved poring over books, professional journals, newspaper articles, the internet and built prototypes. Application, a house to illustrate the differences in construction materials and techniques used in Europe vs. the US, two sites were chosen: one in upper Austria, the other in upstate New York, both having similar climatic conditions. We focused on-site orientation, protective vegetation, super insulation and healthful ventilation. Renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar and photovoltaics, wind and bio-mass were also explored, as well as “green” and sustainability considerations of eco-friendly products. This research project has provided an opportunity for us to share what we’ve discovered: that the passive house concept not only saves home owners energy dollars, but produces a comfortable, sustainable building, one which ultimately benefits the environment at large contributing to a fresh ethical approach to living, building and sharing the planet responsibly. Our next step is to bring this effort further, to go beyond the academic realm and to make a real difference in the real built world