energy – Emu Architects

A Disastrous Case Study: How Replacing Windows Alone Can Lead to Mold

November 1, 2013 by Enrico Bonilauri Leave a Comment

Example of mold - photo by Damiano Chiarini.

In our previous articles, we have cautioned that an energy retrofit should be approached with an integrated, whole-building approach, and by a professional with experience in calculating and simulating thermal envelopes. The photos below show what happened to one family’s home when they decided to do an independent partial energy retrofit, without consulting a qualified professional. In this case, they decided to replace the old windows of their house with newer, high performance windows, hoping that they would be able to reduce their energy consumption.

Filed Under: energy and environment, featured Tagged With: energy, health, energy efficiency, comfort, windows, renovation, mold, deep energy retrofit, condensation, thermal envelope, Ventilation (architecture)

BIM Energy Analysis with Archicad 17

September 5, 2013 by Enrico Bonilauri Leave a Comment

As in its previous version, Archicad 17 comes with a built-in energy evaluation tool, that allows designers to develop the building energy concept from the preliminary design phase. The line that divides architectural design and energy simulation seems to be getting thinner and thinner. On one hand, this Graphisoft approach is no doubt cutting edge. However, some large doubts remain:

Filed Under: education and awareness, energy and environment Tagged With: AEC Design, Archicad, Archicad 17, BIM, Building information modeling, energy, Graphisoft, passive, software

Near Zero Energy Buildings in Italy

May 25, 2013 by Enrico Bonilauri 1 Comment

With great delay, the Italian government has finally implemented the EU Directive 2010/31 on Near Zero Energy Buildings.

This directive leads the way for the future development of the entire European construction industry: let’s explore what it is, shall we?

Filed Under: energy and environment, featured, laws, codes, and regulations, passive house Tagged With: building envelope, energy, energy balance, energy politics, European Union, legislation, Near Zero Energy, Passive House

We are now officially Certified Passive House Designers.

April 12, 2013 by Mariana Pickering Leave a Comment

CPHD - English Certified Passivhaus Designer

We are pleased to announce that Emu Architects’ very own Enrico Bonilauri has officially become a Certified Passivhaus Designer, after having passed the Passivhaus Institut exam in December 2012.

This prestigious and internationally recognized professional certification is, without a doubt, a very important step in our continued education.

Filed Under: business and development, passive house Tagged With: certification, continuing education, energy, energy efficiency, Passive House, Passivhaus, Passivhaus Institut, sustainability

Why an Italian regional energy certification is not enough to guarantee the quality of a building.

March 29, 2013 by Enrico Bonilauri 4 Comments

From a purely commercial point of view, the Italian real estate market seems to now understand the concept of the energy certification of buildings. However, the certificate itself is not sufficient to ensure the comfort and quality of the building. Here’s why: Case-Study: an ‘Emilia Romagna Class B’ house Sometimes friends, family or potential clients […]