Design Process
Designing a Bioclimatic House
The design of a climate-adapted house aims to achieve occupant comfort through the site’s natural resources without relying on energy systems that produce heat or cold.
Of course, any bioclimatic house, no matter how efficient, will require additional energy for hot water production for bathrooms and the kitchen, and, naturally, for electricity generation.
We will see later that this energy can be produced using renewable sources such as solar or geothermal energy. However, considering that the energy used to heat water or air for heating accounts for approximately 40% of a house’s energy consumption, leveraging natural resources to eliminate this expense will be one of the main energy efficiency strategies.
HOW TO DESIGN A PASSIVE BIOCLIMATIC HOUSE?
Passive design leverages the natural resources of the site where the dwelling is located. However, why aren’t all new homes designed today to take advantage of local conditions?
The first argument is price; it is assumed that a passive house will be more expensive than a traditional house. This stems from a lack of knowledge, and surprisingly, some professionals believe that efficiency is solely based on installing solar panels on the roof.
Many strategies will help us save a lot of money on heating and cooling without increasing construction costs, such as proper orientation of openings towards the sun.
It is true that to design a passive bioclimatic house that functions without any heating, regardless of its location, it will be necessary to invest a bit more in achieving greater insulation. However, in this regard, it is important to assess the payback period.
DESIGNING A BIOCLIMATIC HOUSE THAT FUNCTIONS WITHOUT HEATING
Having a bioclimatic house that functions without heating for its entire lifespan represents a saving that must be considered at the time of construction. Designing a bioclimatic house is not solely based on harnessing solar heat and natural ventilation; we must also insulate very well against both cold and heat and retain all captured heat inside the dwelling for as long as possible.
Today, significant thermal insulation performance is achieved; new insulating materials are becoming more economical and allow for thinner layers to achieve the same insulation and efficiency. Consequently, the payback periods for investing in a bioclimatic house are shorter.
A HOUSE with 0 CO2 emissions
What are known as zero-carbon homes are bioclimatic dwellings that go further. It’s not just about designing bioclimatic homes that reduce this 40% heating expense, but also about being able to produce the necessary energy for heating water and generating electricity.
We are talking about hot water for baths and showers, kitchen appliances, electricity for lighting and household appliances, as well as the electricity for all the equipment necessary for renewable energy production.
The future of these homes, with some user participation, can transform the design of a bioclimatic dwelling into positive homes that generate energy and/or electricity and, if space allows, can even collect their own water, produce their own food, and dispose of or purify their waste.
These are somewhat utopian ideas, but they are already being implemented in many parts of the world. The most prestigious European energy certifications are already taking a step further, no longer just certifying bioclimatic houses that do not consume heating energy, but now also certifying the first positive homes.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING A ZERO-CARBON BIOCLIMATIC HOUSE
That said, what are the design parameters for a zero-CO2 emission bioclimatic house?
1. Site Selection
We will start by looking for a site that allows for the production of renewable energy by harnessing solar heat. Other important factors will be the potential location for a garden and proximity to public transport.
2. Energy efficiency strategies must be introduced during the project phase
As we have seen in previous articles, as architects, we always recommend our clients avoid companies that offer prefabricated houses at low prices and claim energy efficiency without any guarantees. Designing a bioclimatic house involves incorporating many decisions during the project phase that ensure the home’s energy efficiency before considering construction.
3. Maximize passive design strategies to reduce energy demand
In line with the previous point, it will be necessary to incorporate passive strategies such as sun protections, openings, cross-ventilation, and openings for solar gain when designing a bioclimatic house.
4. Reduce water consumption
It is especially important to reduce hot water consumption. Water can be heated using renewable energy, and if possible, it will be advisable to collect rainwater.
5. Use ecological materials
It’s not just about using natural materials; to be consistent throughout the process, it is advisable that the materials used are sustainable and that their production has consumed little energy or non-renewable resources. For example, wood is a renewable material that, when harvested, has produced a large amount of oxygen, compensating for its CO2 emissions during construction.
We hope we have clarified some doubts. If you wish to know more or are considering building a bioclimatic house, please do not hesitate to contact us; we will be delighted to welcome you to our studio and discuss your ideas.