Read on Twitter
do other architects have weird design rules they live by?
i was thinking about projects that @bfcTHERMinator and i worked on over the years... there are definitely recurring themes. there are also... i dunno how to put it... rules? that i picked up working in germany that stuck
i was thinking about projects that @bfcTHERMinator and i worked on over the years... there are definitely recurring themes. there are also... i dunno how to put it... rules? that i picked up working in germany that stuck
1. the first one is no plumbing on the exterior walls.
this was definitely from my time working in freiburg. plumbing in exterior walls:
>limits future work (expansions)
>is a thermal issue
>can exacerbate noise transmission
>a maintenance/air barrier conflict.
>also, leaks
this was definitely from my time working in freiburg. plumbing in exterior walls:
>limits future work (expansions)
>is a thermal issue
>can exacerbate noise transmission
>a maintenance/air barrier conflict.
>also, leaks
1. (cont'd)
german walls, historically, have also been massive (conc, stone, cmt etc) and so running plumbing through them would be a non-starter. but i'd say 95% of projects i worked on in DE had plans that were as rigorous as this one is by blauraum
https://www.floornature.com/blog/blauraum-and-the-hansaterrassen-10889/
german walls, historically, have also been massive (conc, stone, cmt etc) and so running plumbing through them would be a non-starter. but i'd say 95% of projects i worked on in DE had plans that were as rigorous as this one is by blauraum
https://www.floornature.com/blog/blauraum-and-the-hansaterrassen-10889/
1. (cont'd) it's also a bit of a passivhaus thing. a lot of PH projects shift their air barrier to the interior (i don't, but others do) - and so you would end up having a really deep installation layer at the exterior if ran plumbing along exterior.
2. pithy windows
this comes down to a few things - personal preferences, cost implications, aesthetics, and definitely performance.
also from time in DE, but also a reaction to the window absurdities we see in seattle. i just vomit whenever i see window arrangements like these
this comes down to a few things - personal preferences, cost implications, aesthetics, and definitely performance.
also from time in DE, but also a reaction to the window absurdities we see in seattle. i just vomit whenever i see window arrangements like these
2 (cont'd) frame is the least efficient part of modern windows. it can also add significant cost to have several small windows.
KISS
i prefer one window - casement, or fixed. if you need more, then pair large fixed w/ operator. it's classic. also more cost effective/efficient
KISS
i prefer one window - casement, or fixed. if you need more, then pair large fixed w/ operator. it's classic. also more cost effective/efficient
2. (cont'd)
(barry white voice) oooooooh yeah. mass timber passivhaus baugruppe
w/ incredible simplified and cost-effective window package. would do this all day.
https://www.baunetzwissen.de/holz/objekte/wohnen/mehrfamilienhaus-in-potsdam-7109526
(barry white voice) oooooooh yeah. mass timber passivhaus baugruppe
w/ incredible simplified and cost-effective window package. would do this all day.
https://www.baunetzwissen.de/holz/objekte/wohnen/mehrfamilienhaus-in-potsdam-7109526
3. compact forms
pound for pound, the most efficient, cost effective, and durable projects - while also being least carbon intensive.
modulation is climate arson! https://www.treehugger.com/praise-dumb-box-4853131
pound for pound, the most efficient, cost effective, and durable projects - while also being least carbon intensive.
modulation is climate arson! https://www.treehugger.com/praise-dumb-box-4853131
4. fenêtre en longueur
better to shade
space below can be functional
better for daylighting
add those sweet sweet operators. le siiiiiigh
better to shade
space below can be functional
better for daylighting
add those sweet sweet operators. le siiiiiigh
5. mechanicals first
figure out where your mechanical system is going to go, how things will run vertically. so many projects do this as an afterthought, and so things are crammed in or bad decisions have to be made. no shoehorning!
this is something @bfcTHERMinator excels at.
figure out where your mechanical system is going to go, how things will run vertically. so many projects do this as an afterthought, and so things are crammed in or bad decisions have to be made. no shoehorning!
this is something @bfcTHERMinator excels at.
5. (cont'd) this also ties back into 1.
no plumbing on exterior walls - and keep plumbing runs short.
also know how your mechanicals are going to interface w/ struct.
got sprinklers? they can clash horrendously w/ mass timber. make sure it's planned, even if design-build
no plumbing on exterior walls - and keep plumbing runs short.
also know how your mechanicals are going to interface w/ struct.
got sprinklers? they can clash horrendously w/ mass timber. make sure it's planned, even if design-build
6. no hallways, or at least minimize those hallways
this definitely comes from my time in DE.
where you can access the unit directly from the (rated) stairwell.
in seattle, we can do that if it's an exterior stair.
helps that DE can do 8 story w/ single egress stair
this definitely comes from my time in DE.
where you can access the unit directly from the (rated) stairwell.
in seattle, we can do that if it's an exterior stair.
helps that DE can do 8 story w/ single egress stair
7. eliminate [car] parking
parking is a thermal nightmare for low energy buildings.
it's also a carbon iceberg. one study put carbon emissions for 1 stall in UG concrete garage at 17 tons!
but bike parking is good. ooooh man, we're gonna have a massive baugruppe bike garage
parking is a thermal nightmare for low energy buildings.
it's also a carbon iceberg. one study put carbon emissions for 1 stall in UG concrete garage at 17 tons!
but bike parking is good. ooooh man, we're gonna have a massive baugruppe bike garage
7. (cont'd)
besides, cars are going away. at least in cities.
instead, build adaptable, communal car garages that can transition to mobility hubs, like this one: https://www.ja-ja.dk/project/wooden-parking-house-aarhus/
besides, cars are going away. at least in cities.
instead, build adaptable, communal car garages that can transition to mobility hubs, like this one: https://www.ja-ja.dk/project/wooden-parking-house-aarhus/
8. #ThickWallsAreSexy
this comes from working on rammed earth, and time in DE, where walls of projects i was working on were incredibly thick.
exterior insulation is your friend!
and we're starting to get more and more foam-free options. maybe one day: https://ecococon.eu/us/the-panel
this comes from working on rammed earth, and time in DE, where walls of projects i was working on were incredibly thick.
exterior insulation is your friend!
and we're starting to get more and more foam-free options. maybe one day: https://ecococon.eu/us/the-panel
9. exterior shading
i don't think we're prepared for how much warmer things are going to get. exterior shading in most climates is critical to prevent overheating.
plus it comes in a variety of flavors.
i miss our rolladen. :/ https://www.baunetzwissen.de/sonnenschutz/objekte/wohnen/passivhaus-in-bessancourt-1286223
i don't think we're prepared for how much warmer things are going to get. exterior shading in most climates is critical to prevent overheating.
plus it comes in a variety of flavors.
i miss our rolladen. :/ https://www.baunetzwissen.de/sonnenschutz/objekte/wohnen/passivhaus-in-bessancourt-1286223
10. electrify everything.
no gas.
no fossil fuels.
gas stoves are horrible on so many levels.
induction is phenomenal.
heat pumps, too.
no gas.
no fossil fuels.
gas stoves are horrible on so many levels.
induction is phenomenal.
heat pumps, too.
