This is meant to be an informative list clarifying the tenets of "passive building design , and "passive strategies , not a complete, exhaustive, or normative definition. We acknowledge that the founders of GPBC, being all European and North American, may be limited by our perspectives, and that definitions may broaden as those from other regions bring their ideas to it. Some items are general, some apply in specific contexts.
GPBC defines passive design as an approach that:
- First reduces the energy demand of the building
- Second utilizes sustainable energy sources.
- Third employs fossil energy efficiently.
GPBC believes a passive building should maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, while using minimal energy, and should be designed to be durable, with attention to moisture management.
Passive design strategies which may be used
Building site selection and orientation
Building size, shape, spacing
Thermal mass (as appropriate)
Solar protection and shading, e.g. vegetation, roof overhangs
Daylighting design, window placement, selection of glazing properties
Passive solar gains (in moderation)
Coupling to the earth (as appropriate)
Ventilation (natural or mechanical, with heat-and-moisture recovery as appropriate)
Night flush ventilation as appropriate (i.e. wide daily outside temperature swing)
Evaporative cooling as appropriate (i.e hot dry climates)
Air-sealing, air-tight construction
Continuous insulation, connection details free of thermal bridges
Safe handling of air for combustion