The power of BIM! While working through stage 4 technical design on our Passivhaus retrofit (EnerPHit) project in Oxford, we’ve been coordinating design information with the structural and mechanical ventilation engineers. Passivhaus requires a super airtight construction to minimise heat loss through uncontrolled air movement. In order to ensure there is sufficient fresh air inside a Passivhaus, a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) needs to be designed and specified.
An MVHR system consists of a ventilation unit with a network of extract and supply ducts. Planning the routes of this ductwork at design stage is crucial, particularly in retrofit situations on existing buildings. Looking at 2D drawings only can lead to misunderstanding, so we use a 3D BIM software to model both the ductwork and the structure to ensure there are no clashes. We managed to identify and avoid a number of clashes that prevented penetrations through steelwork, helping to simplify the overall design.
Ultra low energy design and coordination not only needs specialist knowledge and experience, it also needs specialist tools. Get in touch if you’re looking for a specialist architect for your low impact project.