What is Passive Design, and is it the Future of Home Design?

Snow falls steadily outside in the middle of the never-ending winter. You find yourself huddled under the warmth of a throw blanket. Lit candles give the illusion of warmth. And though the heat is pumping away, it does not keep up with the cold outside, leaving your space chilled.

Flip the switch. It’s 90 degrees out. The sun is casting its warmth throughout the house with golden streaks flooding through the space. Along with the raised temperatures comes the constant need for air conditioning. Who wants to be in a house where the heat is just as stifling as it is outside?

When did this become the norm? Designing in a way that does not ultimately benefit the people who will live in the house. When thinking about a home, whether it be ground-up construction or a renovation, it's important to think about its geographical context and needs. Many houses that go up each day around us are not made for longevity, and lack the capacity to properly withstand (or protect their occupants from) the elements they are surrounded by.

A well-ventilated and insulated home should not heat up to become unbearable, even if the AC stays off for a few hours. And vice versa, if it's wintertime and the heat is not on for some time, the temperature inside should not plummet. Yes, those two may sound like they contradict one another, but in fact, they go hand in hand. It is all encompassed in the principles of passive design.

Just like it sounds, passive design means to use design choices to reduce any unwanted heat gain or heat loss. By thinking about materials and architecture under this lens of naturally maintaining thermal comfort; homes become more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and healthier.

There are many steps to achieve this, but the first is an understanding of passive heating and passive cooling. Passive heating, most beneficial in a cooler climate, means retaining heat within a home and allowing it to be stored and distributed. Passive cooling, which I’m sure you guessed is needed in warmer environments, means designing to reduce heat gain and increase heat loss. Balancing the two for a climate like that in the Northeast is more of a challenge, but it can be done with a bit more understanding and work.

To begin implementing these principles, here are some quick tips to keep in mind.

Orientation:

Take advantage of the sun’s path along the south side of the home, with tall south-facing windows which will let in winter sun to warm the home. Then install horizontal window treatments to block out the unwanted heat of the sun during the summer.

Minimize west-facing glass to reduce heat gain. The westward-facing windows let in the strongest sun radiation.

Place windows so that you can maximize breezes and take advantage of cross ventilation through smaller windows alongside all walls of the house.

Materials:

Utilizing materials with a high thermal mass and long thermal lag, like stone or concrete, will absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night. During the winter, this works by storing solar energy during the day and then gradually releasing it as the space cools down at night. Whereas during the summer, pending the space is properly shaded from excess sun, the material will act as a heat sink, which means it absorbs the surplus of heat. As it cools down at night, the cool air will help to remove any stored heat within the materials.

Glazing:

Windows are a significant expense that is typically minimized as much as possible, but they are worth the investment. Up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost, and up to 87% of its heat is gained through windows. That means that having double or triple-glazed windows truly does make a difference in the temperature of your home. If not specified, many will just opt for contractor-grade windows, and with these you cannot easily maintain a comfortable temperature in your home throughout the seasons.

Passive design does not mean giving up on aesthetic appeal, not even in the slightest. It is an environmentally-conscious and budget-conscious way of approaching design that will only result to your benefit and the longevity of your home. These new homes and renovations are luxurious, and any design style can be integrated with passive principles.

Let us know if you want more information on how to design with passive principles in mind!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in New York, Shana Beck is an interior designer and writer with a degree from the New York School of Interior Design. Her work focuses on blending design principles with insightful commentary, offering a fresh perspective on trends and innovations in the field. With a passion for writing and a deep understanding of aesthetics, she aims to make complex ideas accessible and engaging, bringing a fun and cool approach to professional content. You can reach her at 845.825.1537 or shanabeck7@yahoo.com