Passivhaus Handbook: A Practical Guide to Constructing and Retrofitting Buildings for Ultra-low-energy Performance

Author(s): Adam Dadeby

Architecture

The Passivhaus Handbook is an essential guide for everyone wanting to realise a supremely comfortable, healthy and durable home with exceptionally low energy costs. Whether you are building an extension, retrofitting your house or starting from scratch; are new to low-energy design or already have some experience, this book will help you navigate around the potential pitfalls and misconceptions. It brings together current thinking and best practice. Passivhaus design focuses first on getting the building fabric right, to achieve ultra-low energy consumption in the most cost-effective manner. The approach is relevant to a wide range of building types and climates, not just to special structures. Passivhaus methodology can be combined with elements of other building standards, such as the UK's Code for Sustainable Homes, or with other goals, such as a commitment to use low-impact and natural building materials. This book includes: * A clear explanation of the underlying building physics. * Detailed information on key elements: avoiding air leakiness, designing out thermal (cold) bridges, moisture management and ventilation strategy. * Tips for creating a cooperative, motivated project team. * Photographs and diagrams throughout. With steeply rising energy prices, uncertain climatic changes and straitened economic times, the Passivhaus approach, proven over 20 years, offers a timely and practical response.


Product Information

Adam Dadeby and Janet Cotterell are directors of Passivhaus Homes Ltd., which has recently completed one of the very few fully Certified Passivhaus retrofits in the UK - featured in their book The Passivhaus Handbook, due out in 2012. The retrofit is also exceptional in having achieved one of the best air-tightness results in the UK. More information on Passivhaus and on Adam and Janet can be found at www.passivhaushomes.co.uk. Janet is a chartered architect with over 20 years' experience. She is also a Certified Passivhaus Designer and holds an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental & Energy Studies. Janet has a history of working in sensitive settings (conservation areas, listed buildings, historic parks) and therefore is familiar with the use of traditional and natural materials. In more recent years a growing appreciation of the importance of sustainable building practice (and a growing dissatisfaction with mainstream building practice and culture) has lead to a process of re-education and re-evaluation, culminating in a new focus on the implementation of low-energy design principles and in more collaborative teamworking. Adam was previously employed in the NHS, then, in Berlin, in foreign language training and, back in the UK, in information technology. He is a Certified Passivhaus Consultant and member of the AECB (the Sustainable Building Association) and holds a postgraduate diploma in Architecture: Advanced Environmental & Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). Studying at CAT has been a great opportunity for Adam to consider different approaches to 'sustainability' and 'resilience' as they affect building practice.

General Fields

  • : 9780857840196
  • : book depository
  • : book de
  • : 01 July 2012
  • : 255mm X 205mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 01 September 2012
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Adam Dadeby
  • : Paperback
  • : 696
  • : 256
  • : col. Illustrations