Sunday 18 May 2014

Passive houses in Poland

Passive house can be called building that is distinguished by a very good performance insulation of external walls and the use of a range of solutions designed to minimize power consumption during operation. In Poland, following the example of western and northern neighbours, this type of a construction is growing into popularity over recent years. It might be caused by significantly decreased electricity consumption (what is highly appreciated in the cold and long continental winters) but also caused by growing consciousness of importance of living in harmony with nature.

Passive house can be called building that is distinguished by a very good performance insulation of external walls and the use of a range of solutions designed to minimize power consumption during operation. Practice shows that the demand for energy in such buildings is eight times smaller than conventional buildings constructed according to the applicable standards (energy demand in passive buildings are less than 15 kWh / (m² · year), while in ordinary homes - can reach up to 120 kWh / (m² · year)).

The pioneers in construction of passive houses are Scandinavians and Germans, but over the years there has been more interest in this type of buildings in Poland. Due to high costs of construction (which are estimated to be 1/3 higher than the building of traditional building), passive houses are not the majority of constructions yet, but there have been noted more and more people who would like to live in surrounding like that.

The first certified passive house in Poland has been dedicated to usage in 2007 and presented on the conference Passivhaustagung 2007, which took place in Bregenz, Austria. Discussed building was built in Smolec near Wroclaw was the first passive house not only in Poland but also throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

The house has been designed and constructed by the Designing Studio “ Lipinscy Domy” and the most important influence had engineer Ludwika Juchniewicz-Lipińska and engineer Miłosz Lipiński. On the official presentation of the house they described the construction as:

“Simple, compact shape, founded on a rectangular plan , with a steep pitched roof that perfectly fits in Polish urban landscape . Proportions of the roof and walls were similar to those they may face in traditional buildings. The only element that enhances body is triangular dormer on the front façade which allows more lightening to the bathroom window. In order to maximazie solar heat gains achieved, there has been carefully designed arrangement of windows on the facades. Large windows on the south facade, next to ensure that gains energy from solar radiation, gave the structure a modern flavor, enhanced by additional solar collector placed centrally on the roof. Home is designed for a family of four, possibly for the extended family, and despite the relatively small space (150 square meters) it is characterized by a large spaciousness. Additionally glazed south facade optical zoom causes the interior” (access to the official note below).

More pictures of passive house in Smolec, near Wloclaw (from the website of the designing studio).

Of course, the first house in the category deserves special recognition, but there are many more passive houses in Poland that are worth taking a look at.

Sports hall in Slomniki, which can obtain energy savings of about 87% and CO2 emissions by over 90%. (website of the sports hall: http://www.slomniki.pl/hala/index.php/galeria )

Passive family house in Tychowo. This project caught my attention because of the beautifully designed modern facade (website: http://www.passivhausprojekte.de/#d_2916 ).

Passive house in Jozefow, near Warsaw, is outstandingly bigger than other passive houses discussed so far. It is 310 square meters of living space, so saving energy is crucial element of maintaining house of this size.Hard and durable silka blocks are filled with concrete structure of the building. Interior walls are made of silka blocks of different thickness.In addition to the modern technology of the walls, the house has another novel (though more and more popular) solution - the recuperator. This will allow the recovery of warm air, and hence - the house will be less energy intensive. (website: http://blog.xella.pl/budujemy/entry/dom_w_jozefowie)