The Theresa Passive House, nestled in Austin's historic Clarksville neighborhood, stands as a remarkable example of how architectural preservation can harmoniously merge with modern sustainable design. This 2100 square foot residence, completed in 2020, is not merely a renovation and addition to a 1914 Craftsman bungalow; it is a meticulously engineered dwelling that embodies rigorous targets in energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and responsible materials sourcing.[1] These ambitious goals were established by the Passive House Institute U.S. (Phius), a leading authority in high-performance building standards.
Read MoreThis blog post will present a foundational framework for architectural practice, emphasizing the profound impact of building design decisions on human health and well-being. Moving beyond conventional priorities of aesthetics and initial construction costs, which are unfortunately all too common and mundane in our modern era, this post introduces and explores "5 Principles of a Healthy Home." These principles offer a holistic approach to achieving superior indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and long-term building durability. By understanding and integrating these foundational building science concepts, architects are empowered to design spaces that actively promote the health, cognitive function, and restorative sleep of occupants, thereby elevating their role to advocates for human thriving.
Read MoreModern building design increasingly embraces sealed attic construction as a strategy to enhance energy efficiency and improve air leakage control, particularly beneficial for the performance of HVAC ductwork. This approach, where the attic space is brought within the building's thermal and air control envelope, fundamentally alters the moisture dynamics compared to traditional vented attics. While offering significant advantages, sealed attics introduce unique moisture challenges that demand precise and active management to prevent long-term durability issues and maintain superior indoor air quality.
Read MoreArchitects, as the primary designers of our built environment, hold a profoundly influential position in shaping the health and well-being of building occupants. Beyond the critical considerations of aesthetics, structural integrity, and energy performance, a deep understanding of the invisible forces at play within a building's envelope is increasingly paramount. This report aims to equip architects with the essential knowledge to proactively design for superior indoor air quality (IAQ), particularly concerning emissions from common household gas appliances. The decisions made during the design phase, from material selection to mechanical system integration, directly influence the indoor environment and, by extension, the health outcomes of those who inhabit these spaces. This effectively positions architects as critical guardians of public well-being within the built space, expanding their traditional role to encompass a vital public health responsibility.
Read MoreIn an effort to broadly provide resources to our clientele and audience, we’ve written articles on the topics of health precautions for construction job sites and designing for healthy environments while reducing pathogen spread. We’ve released podcast episodes on the impact of ventilation and filtration on virus transmission. But now it’s time to talk about a serious elephant in the room as it pertains to coronavirus spread - air conditioning.
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