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1000 Passivhaus builds milestone passed
Over 1000 Passivhaus buildings have now been certified in the UK. The UK Passivhaus Trust also suggest that expect growth in use of the green building methodology is likely to accelerate, with a significant number of schemes in the pipeline.Read more
The 1000 units include both new buildings and buildings retrofitted to the EnerPHit standard – which is based on similar design and testing criteria. These contrasting projects show how the Passivhaus standard can be applied to any kind of building, for all sorts of client, and can help satisfy a range of priorities.
Airtightness blamed for health risks in homes
Throughout the past year a slew of reports has been published that raise serious questions about the safety of new-build homes. Increasingly stringent building regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions are resulting in new houses that are ever more airtight. While this helps reduce fuel consumption, the burden is on architects to ensure that occupants of new homes can breathe clean and fresh air. Recent evidence suggests that the construction industry, designers included, is failing to meet this challenge. Read more
Paul Harrison, an independent toxicologist and member of a working group on air quality created by the Royal College of Physicians, describes serious health risks associated with poor ventilation systems. ‘Sick building syndrome describes a variety of symptoms including headaches, allergies, reduced productivity, a sore throat and dry skin,’ he says. ‘In addition, poor air quality can provoke asthma.’ Architects Journal