Lellyett & Rogers to present at ECOBUILD America

Lellyett & Rogers has pineered technology to verify that drawings in the field are the correct version.  The isOK ® system eliminates the problem of out-of-date plans in the field by using the common qrcode. It provides a fast, inexpensive method to verify whether you are using the most current version. It works on iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android or any Smart Phone with a camera and internet connection.  Click Here for date and time.

 Nasuni"s New Capability Brings the Cloud Into the Data Center and for the First Time Gives Organizations a Simple, Safe, Secure Solution for Data Distribution and Global Access.  Click Here to read the press release.  To learn how L&R can assist with your disaster recovery and back up efforts, Click Here 

Actively Passive 

A focus on alternative energy sources forms the basis of many technologies introduced to decrease our energy usage and dependence on oil.
Taking a different route, The Passive House approach goes directly to the root cause of the ‘problem’. Why do our buildings require so much energy to operate? According to the Passive House theory, it is largely because of air leakage. A typical house can lose up to 40% of its energy through air infiltration. So the emphasis is on gaining control of air movement - primarily through super insulation, as well as using site and orientation considerations - rather than through adding onsite energy sources such as PVs, windmills, or geothermal energy - all of which tend to be much more expensive.
In a nutshell, according to the US Passive House Institute (PHIUS), “A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply.” 

Passive House Web Site 

The aim is to reduce heating/cooling costs by an impressive 90% and overall energy costs by up to 70%. In describing how this is achieved, many apply an analogy to a thermos bottle. With this super insulation, a standard HVAC system can be replaced by a much smaller heat/energy recovery ventilator, which keeps heat generated inside from being expelled. In extreme climates, an ‘Earth Tube‘ can be used to passively warm or cool air before it enters the building.

Passive House is relatively new in the US, with the first certified home built in 2003 in Urbana, Illinois (above). Earlier this year the 11th US house was built in NY, but recent activity has reportedly brought that number up to 24. Clearly it’s not many yet. On the other hand, it has become practically a standard in Europe - with over 20,000 units built. In Austria for instance, 25% of new building is using Passive House standards.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has incorporated Passive House building on its base in Ansbach, Germany (above) as part of a pilot program which they hope will serve as a model for future sustainable construction. www.army.mil/article/60929/Eco_friendly_neighborhood_unveiled_in_Ansbach

Photo by USACE Europe www.flickr.com/photos/europedistrict

Depending on many factors, the ‘extra’ cost of building seems to be around 10%, but can be more, with proponents stating that these costs should be re-couped from the greatly reduced energy costs. Lately there’s also increasing interest in applying Passive standards to multi-family dwellings and affordable modular implementations. As it becomes more common and more competitive, the materials – primarily super insulation and super windows - should also come down in price. An attractive feature of the Passive House is that it does not rely on technology which can break down or wear out, so the ongoing operating costs will be minimal.

Unlike the complexity of other building rating systems, the Passive House standard is entirely performance-based. Considerations such as water consumption, site impact, and materials life-cyle are not directly measured, but are still often addressed by those interested in this type of construction.

Passive House requires a blower-door test to verify that the house meets a 0.6 ACH50 air tightness standard. By comparison, the energy code component of the International Residential Code (IRC) establishes a maximum air leakage of 7 ACH50—more than ten times as leaky.

• Airtight building shell ? 0.6 ACH @ 50 pascal pressure, measured by blower-door test.

• Ventilation system with heat recovery with ? 75% efficiency with low electric consumption @ 0.45 Wh/m3

A key difference is that unlike net-zero buildings, which almost always rely on PV systems to achieve energy performance criteria, with Passive House, onsite electricity generation cannot be factored into energy calculations.

Some projects are also built to meet LEED as well as other certification standards. Many units do use PV to meet much, if not all, of the energy requirements. It can be beneficial to install solar hot water systems, since domestic hot water is the next biggest energy requirement in a home. Solar hot water can effectively be used to provide the remaining space heat as well, through the use of hydronic heating coils.

Passive House projects have been successfully built in a wide variety of styles and climatic conditions in the US – from Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maine in the North, to Salt Lake City, California, and Louisiana in the warmer zones. While obviously these locales have different requirements, it is encouraging that all could successfully implement Passive House standards.

Recently some Passive House retrofits have been completed. As the movement gains momentum, it will be interesting to see larger buildings as well. A 354 unit apartment building in Innsbruck, Austria appears to be the largest implementation to date.

Design of a Passive House recently built in Baltimore shows the flexibility of style that can be used while still obtaining desired standards of energy efficiency.

Solar Decathlon

Photos by Jim Tetro/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. 

 Every two years, students from around the world gather to build homes using innovative themes and technology on the mall in DC. The winner of the Solar Decathlon competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

  This year that winner was the University of Maryland’s ‘Watershed’ home (above), which focused on integrated site design, surrounding the building with ‘wetlands’ to recycle greywater. Watershed also incorporated a green roof and edible garden space, as well as the solar systems expected from such a competition.

Purdue’s INHome finished second in the overall competition and was designed to fit seamlessly into any Midwestern community, but with added state-of-the-art technology for energy efficiency.

 UT’s ‘Living Light’ home includes a blind system, sandwiched between two panes of glass, that is programmed to provide year-round lighting and shading; and an energy recovery ventilator that harvests air through the double façade system to supply the house with passively warmed or cooled fresh air

 University of Illinois-Urbana’s Re_home is a relief house for a family as a community rebuilds after natural disaster. The Re_home is based on the principles of sustainability, flexibility, and ease of construction. The house consists of two modules that can be transported on one trailer for rapid response to disaster situations. The photovoltaic system can be installed flat on the roof prior to shipment. When the house reaches its destination, the panels can be lifted to the optimal angle for sun exposure and used immediately.

 Appalachian State’s ‘Solar Homestead’ won the people’s choice award. The Solar Homestead embraces a traditional settlement lifestyle. It is focused around a central living core with collective buildings that adapt to the needs of modern families. Unique features include:

• Outbuilding modules inspired by lean-to sheds that link to form sheltered outdoor living and work space
• A generous outdoor living space called the Great Porch that embodies the lifestyle of early settlers
• The adaptable, conditioned Flex Space, which features a half-bath, outdoor shower, and outdoor kitchen and can serve as a home office, guest suite, or cabin retreat.

 The team from Parsons New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology built a Passive House which will be reassembled by Habitat for Humanity to benefit a needy family in the Washington D.C. area.

 Leave it to a Southern California team to present a home which would stand out in any community! This one features unique exterior insulation.

These homes showcase new and innovative ideas…but can also be very expensive. The real deal will be to integrate these ideas into affordable and repeatable homes.

News to Use

Cutting edge technology used on new 5.4-mile-long, $803-million I-10 Twin Span Bridge outside of New Orleans http://enr.construction.com/infrastructure/transportation/2011/0926-therightstuff.asp

 Mechanical concrete using recycled tires used as a road bed http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=104653

"new-age" corporate designs http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adel-zakout/new-wave-corporate-cultur_b_991216.html

 Shipping containers – the latest in urban farming… http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/10/is-this-the-future-of-farming/247391/

Cardboard cathedral for Christchurch: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/cardboard-cathedral-plans-that-look-good-on-paper-2357391.html

 Hadid wins England’s Stirling Prize to surprise of many http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/8620620.article – Shortlist here of projects considered: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/video/2011/sep/30/stirling-prize-2011-shortlist-video

 Events

Nov. 13-16: Healthcare Design Conference Nashville www.HCD11.com

 Nov 16 -17: LED Outdoor Lighting – Cleveland http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/education_resources/conferences/detail_outdoor_lighting.htm

Dec 5 – 9: EcoBuild America - Washington DC http://aececobuild.com/conference-exhibits/conference-glance/

Jan 24 -26 CAE 2012 Winter Conference - Orlando http://scbexpo.com/events/school-college-building-expo/home.aspx?utm_source=AttendeeMktg&utm_med

Jan 24 -27: World of Concrete Las Vegas http://www.worldofconcrete.com/