Active House – a holistic approach
Active Houses respond to environmental and climatic changes through a holistic approach – and show the way to future standards through experimentation. With central focus on health and comfort Active Houses are designed and constructed to achieve a balance between the three parameters: energy, indoor climate and environment.
Energy
An Active House is designed with a focus on low energy consumption. It is, as far as possible, self-sufficient in energy for heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting and installations, using renewable energy sources to become CO2 neutral. Low energy consumption is reached through a holistic approach where the orientation and design of the building is used to make maximum advantage of solar energy. Intelligent and dynamic window solutions with optimised shading and screening will create a building that can be controlled according to the rhythm of the year and day.
Indoor Climate
An Active House has a healthy and comfortable indoor climate and requires optimal use of daylight and natural ventilation. The house will be built of materials that have a minimum effect on the indoor air quality. The house must be flexible so it can be adapted to changing needs. The daylight conditions must be optimised by strategic placement of windows. Intelligent operation will provide the windows with sun screening on warm days, and dynamic elements in the building envelope can reduce the heat requirement of the house during wintertime. Natural ventilation, with windows opening automatically when needed, will contribute to a good indoor climate.
Environment
An Active House is designed with focus on adaption to the special character and the climatic conditions of the location. The choice of energy system for the house must be optimised in relation to local energy supply availability and structure.
An Active House must relate to the topography, landscape and surrounding buildings; local building tradition and use of local materials are considered as architectural design parameters. The specific site will be decisive for the design of the building – by maximising use of sunlight and daylight potential, by ensuring views to the exterior and by the interplay with its surroundings.
More information on the concept of Active house, on the first examples and news on events in the field of 'active' architecture' are available at www.activehousing.net.