Page 59 - Tcexpression2021 - Sept to Dec 2020

'Zero' has now a value: Integrating Passive House

Principles in Designing a Multi-family Residence

cofirst Services Limited, a Tata enterprise, is leading to inculcate the concept of energy efficiency in building
its way to technically assist GreenShape for their design from the concept stage itself.
Eclient neighbourhood development company
attempting to build net-zero affordable housing under Energy-efficient building design involves constructing
Washington DC City Council. or upgrading buildings that can get the most work
out of the energy supplied to them by taking steps
Project snapshot to reduce energy loss such as decreasing the loss of
heat through the building envelope ensured with
Project Name: 3450 Eads NE Street airtightness.

Project Location: Washington DC, USA Project Objective

Year: Completed in September 2019 The client was keen to develop an energy-efficient,
thermally & visually comfortable facility for all its
Scope of work: Assess and analyse the building occupants.
performance for Passive House International
certification (PHI-US) and identify potential areas for The Washington DC City Council incentivises
applying Energy Conservation Measures affordable housing by giving additional grants
projects pursuing Passive House International or
Project Team & Authors: Net Zero Ratings.
Rakesh Bhatia (Project Mentor & Lead);
Vertika Srivastav (Project Manager) Later, the client approached Ecofirst as a speciality

Sustainability consultant to design and assist in
Energy-efficient homes built with energy efficiency in strategies and advisory services to their principal
mind, pose a significant number of benefits. Energy- consultants for working towards these desired
efficient homes are less expensive to operate, more outcomes of Passive House International (PHI)/Net
comfortable to live in, and more environmentally Zero under Living Building Challenge.
friendly. Inefficiencies that are not removed in the
building process can pose issues for years. It is essential

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