Presented to Architectural Technologists on 21 November 2016 at CIT, Cork. A highly distilled and whirlwind run through lessons learned from 10 years of low energy and Passive House construction. It highlights the main issues that need to be addressed in the construction phase. Simple tips are identified as well as the cultural challenges to constructing high quality low energy buildings in Ireland and the UK.

1. PASSIVE HOUSE
THOUGHTS FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE
(and may not be going back !)
Ed O’Donoghue

2. OVERVIEW
• Introduction
• Preparing for a high quality build
• Real World Issues
• Overarching issues
• DISCUSSION

3. INTRODUCTION
• ME WHEE………….
• WHY BUILD QUALITY HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS ?
• DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE

4. INTRODUCTION
HELP

5. Preparing for a High Quality Build

6. Preparing for a High Quality Build
• COLLABORATION
• IF YOU HAVEN’T DRAWN IT YOU HAVEN’T THOUGHT ABOUT IT
• MOTIVATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE
• BE PREPARED TO COMMIT TO ON SITE MONITORING

7. REAL WORLD ISSUES - FOUNDATIONS
SAWTOOTH EPS FOUNDATION G/L ELEMENT FOUNDATION

8. REAL WORLD ISSUES - FOUNDATIONS

9. REAL WORLD ISSUES - FOUNDATIONS
• Evolution of traditional method
• No specialist knowledge
• Thermal block MUST be kept dry
• €130/m2 average cost
• Transferable to timber frame
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1 2 3 4
TRADITIONAL STRIP FOUNDATION ψ = - 0.122 W/mK
€/m2
Average

10. REAL WORLD ISSUES - FOUNDATIONS
• If UFH then 150mm screed depth ok
• Standardised look-up table calculations for wide cavities
• Window & Door threshold details – be brave
• Plan service exits, especially first floor
• Collaboration between radon protection, thermal block and damp
proof requirements

11. REAL WORLD ISSUES - TEAM
• Knowledge of Passive House limited to architectural team member
• Structural engineers are not aware of the issues and……….
• Project team is normally contractor & client post build
• Design competence and supervision is not valued
• Site foreman is Passive House champion – they rule by fear
• Construction industry does not do quality
• Construction industry does not do education
• Spirit of collaboration does not exist
• Electrical & mechanical services is not considered in residential design

12. REAL WORLD ISSUES - DETAILS
• ACD’s suck
• Key to success is junction detailing
• Raise the bar – can we draw these details in 3D ?
• Standardise details, calculate them and share
• Done right they can save money

13. REAL WORLD ISSUES - VENTILATION
• Locate unit close to external wall
• Keep inside thermal envelope
• Adopt commercial level detailing to design
• Commission in accordance with PHPP requirements
• Understand airtight sealing and insulation requirements of ducting
• Design needed pre-build to ensure efficient layout & operation

14. REAL WORLD ISSUES - AIRTIGHTNESS
• Designer responsible for strategy and detailing at junctions
• Good design = cheap and effective on site
• 0.6 ACH very very difficult on double leaf cavity
• Timber frame is best solution from a QA point of view
• Learn by doing
• Ensure certified product is used & operatives formally trained

15. OVERARCHING ISSUES
• There will always be resistance to change – be brave
• Quality assurance and education are a challenge
• Passive House exacts standards far beyond conventional expectations
• Communication of Passive House needs to improve
• This is a good thing to do – stick with it
• It’s a movement and a community
• Your grandchildren will thank you
• BE POSITIVE

16. THANK YOU
www.edmondodonoghue.com