Airtightness

Level_HowLevel_DetailedFoundation_MitigationTopic_Passive designTopic_Carbon design
Written By Ioannis Lykouras

PASSIVE RESILIENCE

Recorded by Sofie Pelsmakers, images by Essi Nisonen and Veera Saastamoinen

KEY READINGS

  • Haggard, Ken, David A Bainbridge, and Rachel Aljilani. Passive Solar Architecture Pocket Reference. London: Routledge

  • Kimpian, J., Hartman, H., Pelsmakers, S.  Energy, People Buildings: Making Sustainable Architecture Work, 2021, RIBA Publishing

  • Pelsmakers, S.  The Environmental Design Pocketbook, RIBA

  • Pelsmakers, S., Donovan, E., Hoggard, A., Kozminska, U., Designing for the climate emergency, a Guide for Architecture Students, RIBA

  • Dollard, T. , Designed to Perform: An Illustrated Guide to Delivering Energy Efficient Homes, RIBA Publishing

INSPIRATIONAL BUILT EXAMPLES

  • Anne Thorne Architects, Carlton Chapel House Enerphit, UK

  • Bere Architects, Mayville Community Centre retrofit, UK

  • Architype Architects – The Enterprise Centre, Norwich, UK 

  • ZGF with Graybeal architects, Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation centre, USA 

AIRTIGHTNESS

Airtightness goes hand-in hand with a well-insulated building envelope and is the basis for a ’fabric first’ approach to designing low-energy buildings. Airtight buildings are comfortable environments free from unwanted draughts from gaps and cracks in the building fabric that cause heat loss and discomfort. Airtightness is achieved by good detailing and construction quality through the creation of a continuous air barrier with monolithic construction of airtight materials or  with airtightness membranes and by taping all joints and by overlapping and taping membranes at junctions. To ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ), continuous, controlled background ventilaton is needed (e.g. MVHR) and careful specification of materials that do not offgas and cause health issues.

Ioannis Lykouras
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