Author: aoife (Page 2 of 25)

Isabel Explains the Concept and Materials of Project Net Zero Home

November 17, 2023 / aoife / 0 Comments

MEDITE SMARTPLY kindly shared with us the video they prepared featuring our Passive House in Crossabeg – Project Net Zero Home.

Project Net Zero Home is an exemplar new-build house project which aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon utilising MEDITE SMARTPLY products.

The project demonstrates how we can reduce both operational carbon and embodied carbon by using the right products and materials.

Passive House Concept

This house was guided by the Passive House standard, the world‘s leading standard in energy efficient construction. It embodies quality, comfort, and remarkable energy efficiency.

Passive Houses maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout the year with minimal energy usage. These structures achieve this by utilizing passive heating methods, optimizing sunlight exposure, leveraging internal heat sources, and employing heat recovery systems, often eliminating the need for traditional heating systems even in harsh winters.

Fabric First Approach

The technical design was focused on fabric efficiency and airtightness.

This project involved meticulous attention to detail in perfecting the building fabric and selecting materials. Each component, from insulation materials to walls, roofs, and floors, was carefully chosen to align with our sustainability goals. The focus was on optimizing energy efficiency as a means to reduce carbon emissions.

Materials

The Project Net Zero Home prioritized the use of wood as a construction material of the future, recognizing its ability to effectively sequester carbon. This included the use of timber products manufactured in Ireland from FSC® certified forests managed by Coillte (MEDITE SMARTPLY PROPASSIV system).

The project aimed to use materials with lower carbon intensities and lower transport-related carbon emissions. Other materials were used for their recyclability at the end of their lifecycle, their performance during use, and their long-term durability.

Airtight and Thermal Bridge Free Design

Airtightness is an important requirement for any energy-efficient building.

The SMARTPLY Propassiv board was instrumental in achieving outstanding airtightness results. Engineered with airtightness in mind, this board offers an integrated vapour barrier which eliminates the need for for additional AVCL (Air and Vapour Control Layer) membranes. It significantly simplifies and streamlines the construction process, enhancing the overall efficiency on site.

Attention to detail and having a construction team working together were also vital to achieve good air tightness results.

One of the main principles of a Passive House design is to achieve a thermal bridge free construction. Therefore, thermal bridges were carefully assessed when designing the thermal envelope, and some had to be assessed using 2D and 3D software.

Building Systems and Passive Systems

This project employed a range of advanced building systems, including the integration of renewable technologies, to ensure optimal performance and sustainability.

A combination of passive strategies, including strategically designed canopies and blinds, played a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and comfort. These elements were integrated to maximize shade during summer months, preventing overheating, while allowing ample sunlight in the winter, thereby reducing the need for active heating and cooling systems.

Energy Efficiency Evaluation

The air tightness test returned the impressive result of 0.19 air changes per hour. This is lower than any passive house currently in the Passive House database for Ireland.

The energy balance of the house design was tested using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). The Passive House energy threshold for heating is 15 kWh/(m²yr). The heating demand as calculated by the PHPP is 12.7 kWh/(m²yr) for this house.

The house achieved a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A1.

You can learn more details about this project here.

“Architecture & Design Firm of the Year” Award Two Years in a Row

May 5, 2023 / aoife / 0 Comments

We are thrilled to announce that Isabel Barros Architects has been awarded the title of Ireland’s Architecture & Design Firm of the Year for the second time in the prestigious Corporate LiveWire Global Awards.

The Corporate LiveWire Global Awards recognize businesses and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry experts who evaluate nominees based on their innovation, quality of service, and overall performance.

The Corporate LiveWire judging panel looks first at whether the business or firm is providing the best in its particular field in terms of quality, efficiency and delivery. The panel takes into consideration the expertise and specialisation of the individuals within the team, the client portfolio and the experience gained from representing these clients, as well as any recent notable achievements.

The judging panel was particularly impressed by the flexibility of Isabel’s architectural services; working on a huge variety of different homes and buildings while always maintaining the same level of expertise and excellence. The judges also acknowledged the humanist and environmental approach adopted across all designs.

Read our feature page in the annual 2022/23 Global Awards publication:

This prestigious recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and sustainable design practices. We are beyond thrilled to share this exciting news!

David Chipperfield Receives the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize

April 21, 2023 / aoife / 0 Comments

David Chipperfield, an accomplished British architect, has been named the winner of the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious award in architecture. Chipperfield, who is known for his minimalist style and his focus on cultural and civic projects, is the fourth architect from the United Kingdom to win the prize.

Born in London in 1953, Chipperfield began his architectural studies at Kingston School of Art before moving on to the Architectural Association in London. He then worked at a number of notable firms, including Norman Foster and Richard Rogers, before starting his own practice in 1984.

David Chipperfield, the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate — David Chipperfield, *the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate*

Over the course of his career, Chipperfield has completed a number of significant projects around the world, including the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, England, the Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach, Germany, and the Des Moines Public Library in Des Moines, Iowa. He has also been involved in a number of restoration projects, including the renovation of the Neues Museum in Berlin and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

Des Moines Public Library, Iowa, USA, 2002-2006, 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize — Des Moines Public Library, Iowa, USA, 2002-2006

Chipperfield’s work is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, as well as its sensitivity to the cultural and historical context of the places where he works. He has a particular interest in public buildings, and has said that he sees his role as an architect as being to “create places that enrich people’s lives”.

2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize - Royal Academy Renovation, London, UK, 2008-2018 — Royal Academy Renovation, London, UK, 2008-2018

One of Chipperfield’s most notable projects is the Hepworth Wakefield art gallery in Yorkshire, England. The gallery, which was completed in 2011, is named after the British sculptor Barbara Hepworth, and is designed to showcase her work as well as the work of other modern and contemporary artists. The building is constructed of concrete and brick, and features a series of interlocking volumes that are designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape.

2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize - Hepworth Wakefield Art Gallery, West Yorkshire, UK, 2003-2011 — Hepworth Wakefield Art Gallery, West Yorkshire, UK, 2003-2011

Another notable project is the James Simon Galerie, a new entrance building for the Museum Island complex in Berlin, which was completed in 2019. The building, which is located between the Neues Museum and the Pergamon Museum, is designed to provide a welcoming and accessible entrance to the complex, while also serving as a new home for the museum’s ticketing and visitor services.

2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize - New Entrance Building for the Museum Island complex, Berlin, Germany, 2018 — New Entrance Building for the Museum Island complex, Berlin, Germany, 2018

Chipperfield’s work has been recognized with a number of awards over the years, including the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2011. He has also been involved in a number of academic and cultural initiatives, and has served as a visiting professor at a number of universities around the world.

In addition to his architectural work, Chipperfield is also a prolific writer and commentator on architecture and urbanism. He has published several books on the subject and has spoken at a number of conferences and events around the world.

Chipperfield is a worthy winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and his contributions to the field of architecture will undoubtedly continue to shape the built environment for years to come. Congratulations to David Chipperfield on this well-deserved honor.