PASSIVE HOUSE STRATEGIES

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 DEFINITIONS

Passive building, identified internationally as Passive House, is

characterized by the ability to maintain optimal internal comfort
conditions, in winter and summer, with the lowest possible
energy consumption and that in most cases can be guaranteed
even in the absence of conventional plants.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 PRINCIPLE

A passive building essentially uses unconventional and

renewable energy sources. It cannot be designed as an
independent element but should be designed as an integrated
object in the context in which it is located.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 FONDAMENTAL CRITERIA

1. Environment building integration

2. Orientation
3. Correct surface-to-volume ratio
4. Material efficiency
5. Absence of thermal bridges
6. Maximum natural lighting
7. Efficient plants
8. Use of renewable energy

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 ENVIRONMENT - BUILDING

The first step towards the construction of a passive building is

therefore to define the orientation to receive the maximum solar
intake during the winter period.

It is therefore essential that the optimal surface of the windows

on the south side is defined taking into account the climatic
conditions of the site.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 ORIENTATION

Orientation in a passive building is a fundamental element that

allows you to optimize the best use of lighting, heating and
cooling systems.

Exposure to the south is both a source of summer overheating,

which is why the casing and efficiency of materials and
windows becomes crucial in the hot months.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 FOCUS: Shading System

Shading systems are essential in the summer months to

counteract the sun’s rays in the middle of the day on south-
facing facades and reduce the need for cooling systems.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 VOLUME - SURFACE RATIO

In energy-efficient buildings, the casing is designed to ensure

the best thermal efficiency. Efficiency depends on the ratio of
surface to volume and is greater when the thermal exchange
area between the external and internal environment is smaller
at the same volume.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 MATERIAL EFFICIENCY

Material efficiency is another of the most important factors for

a passive building. The maximum performance of the casing
allows to minimize the intake necessary to keep the internal
microclimate in a comfortable situation.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 ABSENCE OF THERMAL BRIDGES

To obtain the 0.15W/m2K transmittance values for opaque

surfaces and 0.8W/m2K for glazed surfaces, it is essential to
eliminate the presence of thermal bridges. In fact, they disperse
heat, increasing energy consumption, worsening sound
insulation and thus reducing internal comfort.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 FOCUS: Thermal Bridge

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 MAXIMUM LIGHTING

Increased natural light intake is key to making the building as

independent as possible from artificial lighting systems. The
quality of natural light improves internal comfort as well as
reducing energy consumption.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 EFFICIENT SYSTEM - RENEWABLE ENERGY

In accordance with the aspects already indicated, a building

can be defined as passive if the plants in it reflect the current
zero-impact consumption standards. Good natural ventilation is
essential for greater plant efficiency.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 FOCUS: Natural Ventilation

Good natural ventilation reduces the need for cooling systems

in the warmer months and forced ventilation for air recycling.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 HOW TO

To obtain the Passive House Energy Certificate The passive

institute has established a four-point general criteria:

1. Total annual primary energy consumption of no more than 120 kWh/sqm;

2. Heating less than 15 kWh/sqm per year;
3. Air-held n50<0.6 h–1;
4. U-section : 0.15 W/m2K for opaque walls, and U-0.8 W/m2K for windowed
parts.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 BIOSPHERA 2.0

Biosphera 2.0 is an ambitious project that involves the creation

of a housing module that can ensure indoor comfort and adapt
to the needs of those who live there, producing the necessary
energy in a completely autonomous way.

The winning concept consists of a simple scheme with an

innovative character: it is a module of just 25 square meters
made with state-of-the-art technologies

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 THE PASSIVE PROJECT

Specifically, the module is made from a wooden supporting

structure (Pefc certified), while the casing consists of a
ventilated wall with rock wool insulation. The glazed surfaces
are made of wooden and aluminum windows with triple glass,
and are equipped with blackout curtains such as outdoor
shielding. The photovoltaic cover and the use of controlled
mechanical ventilation represent the systems of the house.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS
Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 PROJECT MONITORING

Biosphera 2.0, however, goes even further. In fact, in this phase

of experimentation there will be an important monitoring activity
that involves:

1. The reaction of the housing module to the most varied

climates and weather conditions
2. Environmental stress through the assessment of noise and
air pollution levels, especially when the prototype will be found in
cities such as Milan and Turin;
3. The quality of life within Biosphera 2.0. Each inhabitant
will be equipped with a bracelet (developed by the Empathetic
society) that will have to constantly monitor parameters such
as frequency and heartbeat, body temperature, electrothermal
activity.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS
Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)
 CONCLUSION

the effectiveness of the project will be continuously controlled,

and therefore supported by scientific feedback, as well as
the experiences of the guests of the house. This aspect is
fundamental because it represents the desire to take a decisive
path, with the aim of showing what the potential of a passive
building, in which the classic thermal systems are lacking,
trying to overcome perhaps the most difficult aspect to face: the
habitual factor.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL APLLIED PHYSICS

Prof. Lamberto Tronchin
Student: Ernesto Mario Frigerio (311849)