DPR’s Phoenix office cleverly combines passive strategies like Natural Ventilation and daylighting, with Active smart controls to create a Net Zero certified building that also acts as a Living Laboratory. Having achieved this in the harsh hot dry climate of the Sonoran desert, sprouts hope for Passive design.
We at The Architecture Gazette are passionate about Passive Architecture and its potential. However, since the invention of the air-conditioned glass box [Part 2/5: The Red System (Energy), Singapore – published May 14 2018], coupled with harsher climate scenarios, stricter standards for productivity and efficiency, the Architectural community is questioning whether Passive is viable any longer?
The following articles and others to come, will be our effort to explore and possibly prove that Passive strategies, vernacular methods are still extremely useful and vital for Energy efficiency and Sustainability. We start by looking at examples from Singapore. Some buildings are using Passive strategies to not only reduce their own Energy consumption, but to positively affect their micro-climate, thus contributing less to the Urban Heat Island phenomenon.
The approach followed for this chain of articles is as follows –
- Four building types are used – Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Institutional.
- Passive Design principles are divided into two broad categories –
- Breathability
- Vertical air movement
- Horizontal air movement
- Unit – thickness
- Integration with Green and Blue systems
- Vertical green spaces
- Horizontal green spaces
- Site integration with green and blue
- Breathability
- Seven buildings are explored to see, how they apply consumption reduction strategies and affect micro-climate.
Air movement can aid to dissipate heat and improve micro-climate. The unit thick principle can help in natural ventilation and daylighting, thus reducing air conditioning and lighting loads. Integration with green and blue has a cooling effect on the surroundings, in addition to other benefits such as occupant well-being and health. This integration also aids to reduce consumption of energy.
Industrial: Cleantech One
Commercial: Park Royal hotel and Capita Green
Residential: Skyville and Interlace
Institutional: School of the Arts and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
We’ll leave you with this burning question –
Do you think Passive Architecture is a viable option in today’s world?
Do let us know your thoughts, suggestions, other good examples you might have come across in the comments section. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you.
Meanwhile, look out for the Chain of posts in coming weeks, each focusing on one of our 7 chosen buildings.
18th June 2018 – Segment 1/7: Industrial – Cleantech One
25th June 2018 – Segment 2/7: Commercial – Park Royal hotel
2nd July 2018 – Segment 3/7: Commercial – Capita Green
9th July 2018 – Segment 4/7: Residential – Skyville
16th July 2018 – Segment 5/7: Residential – Interlace
23rd July 2018 – Segment 6/7: Institutional – School of the Arts
30th July 2018 – Segment 7/7: Institutional – Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Credits:
Graphics : All graphics are produced as part of a team project for M.Sc. Integrated Sustainable Design at National University of Singapore (Building Semester – Stage 1 – Complex Living Systems). Group Members – Gajender Kumar Sharma, Aditi Bisen, Huang Hongbo, Zhao Yanming
Text: Aditi Bisen
References/ Additional Reading:
- Book: Garden City Mega City: Rethinking Cities for the Age of Global Warming by WOHA & Patrick Bingham
- DPR Phoenix Office’s design and passive strategies
The Architecture Gazette 
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