Energy Efficient Passive Solar Design
Dean Buckeridge Architecture prides itself on the design and overseeing of construction of energy efficient and sustainable homes.
Passive solar design is always incorporated as a first principle. Then, subject to a client’s wishes, the brief may expand to include thermal mass, natural ventilation, solar water heating, PV, wind or micro hydro generation systems, both grid-tied and off-grid.
While energy efficiency is a key consideration, Dean does not allow it to dictate or override the other key elements that make a house a home. The look, the feel, whatever makes it ‘your place’.
Passive solar design and energy efficiency are extremely simple and straightforward design principles. Any home or building can make use of them without requiring special, expensive or uncommon materials. It is just a matter of common sense – the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. At DBA we simply arrange the building so the sun gets into the right rooms, at the right time of day, and in the right amounts for the time of year.
Thermal mass is used for heat storage – this could be a concrete floor slab thickened on the north side of the house and adjacent to full-height windows for maximum benefit. Using this method, the effective thermal mass of your home could be doubled for as little as the cost of 2 extra cubic metres of concrete.
Effective insulation is used to slow heat losses. This does not necessarily require more insulation, rather paying attention to how it is used. The greatest insulation sin committed by most people is using recessed downlights. Imagine taking a sleeping bag and cutting holes in it before sleeping outside. It doesn’t matter how good the sleeping bag is, the holes will always let out the heat.
‘Environmentally sustainable building’ has become a popular phrase in the building industry thanks to marketing hype. At Dean Buckeridge Architecture we believe a client’s desire to create a more energy efficient and sustainable home does not necessarily equate to spending larger sums of money to add a greater number of products to your home.
The Dean Buckeridge Architecture message is simple in this regard – you can build an energy efficient home for a similar cost to an ordinary house.
Dean Buckeridge Architecture is committed to the best possible outcome of your dream home or commercial project. Our preference is always to be fully involved in all aspects of the design and documentation of each project. This ensures the finished home is in tune with your brief, and the design integrity maintained.
Additionally, the company is able to operate in an observational role during construction to ensure the home is built correctly. This is especially important with energy efficient design, as while industry awareness is increasing, there is still a significant lack of understanding of key principles and critical mistakes can be made during construction and a good idea poorly executed will inevitably produce disappointing results.