Building Inherent Value: Implementing the Passive House Building Standard
Michelle Apigian AIA, LEED AP, AICP
ICON Architecture
Senior Project Manager, Practice & Sustainability Leader
ABSTRACT:
The Passive House building standard ensures high-quality, low carbon development. The presentation will provide an in-depth review of the standard using 2 case-studies to delve into practical implementation, details, strategies and lessons learned, with a special focus on large scale air barrier implementation, efficient ventilation systems, and cost savings.
- Employ passive house principles and convey how they make good building science sense!
- Create an airtight envelope and minimizing thermal bridging.
- Describe the benefits of a heat recovery ventilation systems and how to maximize them.
- Discuss how building form and program impact detail complexity and cost.
BIO:
Michelle is an architect, planner and urban designer who combines optimism and pragmatism to design sustainable environments that strengthen communities and celebrate the uniqueness of place. She has worked on a broad array of project types and scales, from large, multi-phase master plans and design and construction of new multifamily developments to strategic infill, adaptive reuse and modernization projects. Her work includes the first Passive House certified multifamily project in Massachusetts as well as numerous LEED certified projects.
Michelle received a B.A. from Dartmouth and an M.Arch and Master of City Planning from MIT. She serves on the Board of several organizations, including Union Square Main Streets, Somerville Community Coalition, and Passive House Mass. She is also a member of DOER’s Zero Energy Advisory Committee and is a frequent speaker on topics including Building Reuse and Passive House design.