Pattern Language from Passive House
Event Information
About this event
Overview
"A Pattern Language from Passive House" is an interactive workshop that teaches cost-effective planning and design of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit, wood-framed housing.
This four-part workshop presents design problems common to multi-unit buildings, followed by solutions that have worked in previous high-performance projects. These solutions are organized into "patterns" using a format adapted from A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (et al).
The patterns presented in this workshop are drawn from the hundreds of affordable multi-unit buildings constructed to the Passive House standard worldwide, because this is the largest cohort of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit housing. While these solutions are taken from Passive House buildings, they are applicable for residential building design to meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, as well as multi-unit buildings aiming for similar low-TEDI or not-zero energy standards. Likewise, while this workshop focuses on affordable housing, the patterns apply equally to market- and luxury-housing projects.
Course Dates and Times
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
All classes will take place between 12:30pm - 3:30pm PST.
Discounts for BC Association Members
With support from Forestry Innovation Investment, a discount is available for BC-based industry associations. Please contact your association for more information.
What to Expect
This course has been designed to be a highly interactive online experience. Participation in group discussions is expected.
Professional Development:
- AIBC Core LUs: 12
- BC Housing Informal CPD Points: 10
- Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) CPL Units: 10
Agenda
Session 1/4: Context and Form
- Context: New constraints; wood-frame, mid-rise, multi-unit; role of pre-design planning.
- Tools: Passive House; Step Code; other standards.
- Case Study: The cheapest passive house buildings on earth.
- Patterns: Keys to affordability; surface area; mechanical; maintenance.
- Tools: How to calculate form factor and mechanical simplicity.
Session 2/4: Materials and Assemblies
- Context: Embodied carbon vs. operational emissions vs. energy efficiency.
- Tools: LCA modelling; monthly energy models; hourly energy models.
- Patterns: Interior insulation; exterior insulation; standing panels; hanging panels; modular.
- Case Study: Modular Passive House.
- Context: Impact of thermal bridging on large buildings.
- Tools: How passive house and Step 4 count thermal bridging.
- Patterns: Suspended slabs; balconies; window/door frames; mechanical penetrations.
Session 3/4: Windows and Overheating
- Context: Large buildings and solar gains.
- Tools: How windows and doors are rated.
- Patterns: Large panes; Operable exterior shades.
- Case Study: Overheating.
- Context: Overheating; internal heat gains; climate change.
- Tools: Worst suite analysis required by BC Housing, City of Vancouver, etc.
- Patterns: Shading; night flush; mechanical cooling.
Session 4/4: Affordable Mechanical
- Context: Heat-recovery ventilation primer; impact of flow rates.
- Tools: Unity efficiency vs. system efficiency.
- Patterns: Local - regional - central; tempered air; kitchens; sealed ducts.
- Case Studies: Centralized vs. ventilation risks.
- Intro: DHW is large demands; GWP of gas; GWP of refrigerants.
- Context: TEUI vs. PER; setting a budget as SD with PER calculator.
- Patterns: Short DHW runs, less DHW recirculation, pipe insulation; DHW heat pumps; elevators and pumps; appliances and plug loads.