Home » RIBA
Category Archives: RIBA
Post by Mark Stephens Architects on Sequencing
Post HERE by YT on Sequencing and how it applies to good construction and Passivhaus delivery
U Value Calculator now available on iOS, Android & Windows phone!
Finally after months of development and testing, our U value calculator app UValue is released on Apple iOS as well as Android and Windows Phone.
Below are a few screen grabs that show the key features:
• Scalable high resolution graphics for all phones and tablets
• Ability to enter your own materials, thicknesses and conductivities as opposed to searching in scrolling lists
• Calculates for floors, walls, roofs and ceilings and adjusts the interior and exterior thermal resistance values accordingly (in accordance with DIN EN 6946 Section 5, Chart 1.)
• Available on Android, iOS & Windows Phones
• Includes settings for underground wall, rain screen or warm/cold roof constructions
• Information/settings screen
• Ability to reset all values or delete individual lines
• Adheres to Passivhaus methodology of calculating U values (excluding thermal bridging – see below)
• Links to TeachPassiv.com and additional Passivhus resources, news & FACT SHEETS
• This version totally free of charge

Screen grab showing main screen with unfilled data

Screen grab of settings/information screen
Why did we create the app? I was looking for a simple U value app that gave the ability of quickly entering data, allowed a quick comparison between different constructions/insulation and supplemented the PHPP U value calculations (the app is not intended to replace PHPP). I found that the app didn’t exist and we (myself and my coding maestro son Conor) decided to fill the gap in the market.
The app is free of charge and is used as a marketing aid for TeachPassiv.com and the architecture and Passivhaus Design Practice Mark Stephens Architects
The app does not currently take account of thermal bridges, this is going to be addressed in a subsequent version.
If you find any bugs or inaccuracies in the app, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@teachpassiv.com
You can read the Privacy Statement regarding the app HERE
The app is not supported or endorsed by the Passivhaus Institute, does not replace the U value calculations in PHPP and is for entertainment purposes only e&oe.
A big shout out to my sons own website who is a Games Coding Guru at GreenCheeseGames.com
Passivhaus Institute announce 2 new certificates to take account of renewables @phplusmag mentioned
The Passive House Institute has announced the launch of two new certification categories, Passive House Plus and Passive House Premium, which recognise on-site renewable energy generation.
Full details in Passive House+ magazine HERE
U value calculator app – Now released on Android #Passivhaus
Finally after months of development and testing, our U value calculator app UValue is released on Android.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ANDROID VERSION OF THE APP You can also download the app by clicking on the App icon to the right.
Below are a few screen grabs that show the key features:
• Scalable high resolution graphics for all Android phones and tablets
• Ability to enter your own materials, thicknesses and conductivities as opposed to searching in scrolling lists
• Calculates for floors, walls, roofs and ceilings and adjusts the interior and exterior thermal resistance values accordingly (in accordance with DIN EN 6946 Section 5, Chart 1.)
• This release is on Android, iOS released Easter 2015
• Includes settings for underground wall, rain screen or warm/cold roof constructions
• Information/settings screen
• Ability to reset all values or delete individual lines
• Adheres to Passivhaus methodology of calculating U values (excluding thermal bridging – see below)
• Links to TeachPassiv.com and additional Passivhus resources, news & FACT SHEETS
• This version totally free of charge

Screen grab showing main screen with unfilled data

Screen grab of settings/information screen
Why did we create the app? I was looking for a simple U value app that gave the ability of quickly entering data, allowed a quick comparison between different constructions/insulation and supplemented the PHPP U value calculations (the app is not intended to replace PHPP). I found that the app didn’t exist and we (myself and my coding maestro son Conor) decided to fill the gap in the market.
The app is free of charge and is used as a marketing aid for TeachPassiv.com and the architecture and Passivhaus Design Practice Mark Stephens Architects
The app does not currently take account of thermal bridges, this is going to be addressed in a subsequent version.
If you find any bugs or inaccuracies in the app, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@teachpassiv.com
You can read the Privacy Statement regarding the app HERE
The app is not supported or endorsed by the Passivhaus Institute, does not replace the U value calculations in PHPP and is for entertainment purposes only e&oe.
All 5 posts from @elrondburrell on #LovePH #Passivhaus
Link below to all 5 posts from Elrond Burrell on ‘What do you love most about Passivhaus?’:
New Fact Sheet on #Passivhaus TEAMWORK! added
A new Fact Sheet on Passivhaus TEAMWORK! has been added to the FACT SHEETS section of website
Passivhaus is cheaper than standard build @encraft_uk @Kate_de @phplusmag mentioned
A recent study by Encraft shows that taking into account the whole life cost of a house, Passive House construction is 2-5% lower than traditional construction methods.
CLICK HERE for the article and HERE for the full article.(788kb)
This article concurs with the article posted by Kate de Selincourt last year for Passive House Plus magazine that explains how the perception that Passive House is more expensive has come about.
CLICK HERE for the post & link to article by Kate de Selincourt
It should be remembered that both pieces of research are UK based and that in Ireland (where the Building Regulations are much closer to Passive House standards), the cost saving differential is much greater.
Passivhaus Primer: Airtightness Guide @BREWatford mentioned
Passivhaus Primer: Airtightness Guide
Click below for excellent guide on:
‘Airtightness and air pressure testing in accordance with the Passivhaus standard‘
From Passivhaus.org.uk
How Brussels moved from UK style building regs to making #Passivhaus mandatory; Ireland could do same?
I saw this tweet by @MariaSfyraki recently on the Passivhaustrust website outlining how Brussels have moved from a UK style Building Regulations to mandatory Passivhaus. Is this something Ireland should consider?
Click HERE to open the document
6 posts on Part L, #ThermalModelling #BRegs & #Passivhaus @BRegsBlog mentioned
The following 6 posts are on who should certify Part L compliance, the BER Assessor? Part L compliance with the Building Regulations with regards to Thermal Bridges/Modelling and Thermal Bridging and Passivhaus
1. From the Bregs Blog admin team – 3 Things Design Certifiers should know about certifying Part L
2. My opinion piece on the BRegs Blog – SI.9 and Part L | Are specialist ancillary certifiers needed? Part 1
3. Follow-up Part 2 opinion piece on the BRegs Blog – SI.9 and Part L | Are specialist ancillary certifiers needed? Part 2
4. On MarkStephensArchitects.com – The basics of Part L Thermal Modelling Building Regulation compliance – Part 1
5. On MarkStephensArchitects.com – The basics of Part L Thermal Modelling Building Regulation compliance – Part 2
6. On MarkStephensArchitects.com – The basics of Part L Thermal Modelling Building Regulation compliance & Passivhaus – Part 3
Reminder that a series of Passivhaus Fact Sheets are in the FACT SHEETS section of website and that the above information is specifically related to Ireland and may not apply to other countries.
Disclaimer:
All advice online is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support – in and of itself – should legal action be taken. Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet 16 – #PHPP Hitting Airtightness Requirements
This Fact Sheet (below) focusses on Airtightness and it’s relevance in PHPP
Fact Sheet No. 16 – PHPP ‘ Airtightness – Hitting the target’ – Click to download pdf (907Kb)
Fact Sheet No.14 – PHPP Hitting Space Heating Demand for #Passivhaus
This new Fact Sheet (also in FACT SHEETS section of website) gives a few methods of hitting (and bettering) the Passivhaus Space Heating Demand requirements. It focusses on alternative strategies that may not be obvious in addition to improving u-values, airtightness etc…
Fact Sheet No. 14 – PHPP ‘Hitting the target (1-5)’ – Click to download pdf (341Kb)
There will be additional Fact sheets covering other PHPP areas in due course, watch this space…
Fact Sheet No.5 Ready – Passivhaus Construction
We’ve added Fact Sheet No.5 on Passivhaus Construction to the FACT SHEETS section.
Now that’s the ‘Fundamentals’ dealt with, it’s time to get technical…
Fact Sheet No.4 on Passivhaus design is out: @ParsonsWhittley @zowark featured
Fact Sheet Number 4 on Passivhaus Design is out, next one will be on Passivhaus construction…
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET ON PASSIVHAUS DESIGN (1Mb)
Special thanks to:
Zeno Winkens for
Clauson House Co. Wexford, Winkens Architecture
Isover Energy Efficiency Award 2013 WINNER
Finalist Irish Building and Design Awards Sustainable/Green Project of the Year 2014
Finalist The Green Residential Building Green Awards 2013
http://www.winkens.ie/lownrghse.htm
and
Chris Parsons of Parsons + Whittley Architects for the 3 dwellings at Burnham Overy Staithe for Hastoe
You can download the Fact sheet HERE or via the FACT SHEETS section where you can download the previous sheets.
TeachPassiv #Passivhaus Fact Sheet No. 3 out: The Passivhaus Design Team
Fact sheet No. 3 out now: The Passivhaus Design Team
Details who you should appoint and why to build your ultra-low energy Passivhaus.
#Passivhaus Fact Sheet No. 2 out: Common Passivhaus Misconceptions
Fact Sheet Number 2 is out, click on link below & is also added into FACT SHEETS section:
Welcome
Welcome to a brand new web site developed by Mark Stephens Architects to impart knowledge and information on the design and construction of Passivhaus buildings.