Passive Houses

Passive Architecture presents itself as a sustainable constructive solution that responds efficiently from an energetic, economic and comfort point of view, using passive methods in the construction of Buildings of any nature.

The passive methods used have a great impact on reducing energy consumption, increasing thermal comfort and, consequently, reducing energy costs, which in a conventional solution would not be possible to achieve.

A Passive House can be built with the same investment cost as a conventional building, however, to achieve this assumption, measures must be analyzed and taken in the initial stages of the process, namely, in the preliminary study phase. For example, the correct shape of the building and its orientation should be defined, thus optimizing the performance of the building, without incurring additional costs.

DDN will be able to provide support in the conception and design of passive solutions to be implemented, as well as coordinate the construction project, ensuring the integration of the solutions conceived and in accordance with the client's expectations.

By managing Passive Houses and Architecture projects, DDN contributes to a better world, while generating value for your investment and comfort for the users of these houses, buildings or infrastructures.

Principles of Passive Architecture
The certified methods used in Passive Architecture act on the following points:
1 - Proper insulation, creating an outer layer around the building, in order to correct the building's thermal bridges (to avoid the need for heaters or air conditioning) and to improve the acoustic behavior of the building;
2 - Ensuring air tightness with continuous layers in the interior parts, in order to avoid leaks that cause heated or fresh air to escape from the interior of the space, maintaining the desirable temperature in the spaces continuously, thus reducing the enormous consumptions that the systems HVAC assets require;
3 - Natural ventilation systems with heat recovery, which guarantee: the exchange of stale air inside the building with the particularity of maintaining the desired temperature, through heat exchangers present in these systems, and; dehumidify and humidify spaces, as needed, maintaining air quality due to the presence of filters in ventilation systems. In this way, the need for active energy systems is also avoided.
4 - Appropriate and certified windows, with thermal insulation system and well oriented, allowing the thermal control of spaces, through the thermal sealing capabilities of the frame and windows and through the correct solar orientation of the window opening, allowing to heat the space through energy solar. These window systems should also be equipped with shading systems, which allow controlling the entry of sunlight, so that the energy absorbed is the desired one..
5 - A studied solar orientation, in order to maximize the exposure, benefiting from the energetic/thermal gains that allow to heat the space at the times of the year that need heating, and a control of the exposure through shading techniques of the openings, such as flaps, that allow to control the gains, so that only the desired energy is used, avoiding overexposure during the hot times of the year.

All of these systems present themselves as an effective passive solution, which avoids the need for active systems such as air conditioners, heaters and dehumidifiers. These are a major investment in construction and require constant maintenance, presenting themselves as a solution that is not viable in terms of economics, energy and comfort. Additionally, the planning of passive construction and architectural solutions that allow the heating or cooling of the air and surroundings, such as inertia walls, will greatly contribute to this effect.

Although the concept of Passive House does not have as requirements, criteria for the use of water, it should also be considered, for example, constructive solutions for the use of rainwater for non-human consumption.

Passive construction Architecture is made up of certified construction systems that guarantee the constructive longevity of Buildings, avoiding humidity and infiltration, saving about 90% of energy used in a standard construction and 75% of energy used in a new construction, as it avoids the use of heating and air control systems, which are answered in an effective and sustainable way by passive and autonomous systems. These systems are viable in various types of Buildings such as schools, cinemas, residential buildings, offices, etc. and the systems are adaptable to any climate. The end result is a building that is completely certified in all constructive aspects, economically and energetically more viable, thus presenting itself as the most effective solution.


Passive House Certification
The certification of this type of building is carried out by the Passivhaus Institut, which defines if the building complies with the set of necessary requirements and recommendations. This certification also implies requirements in terms of project and execution of the work.