{"id":33579,"date":"2017-10-26T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2017-10-26T14:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog-test\/?p=33579"},"modified":"2021-07-09T06:55:50","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T10:55:50","slug":"stucco-passive-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/details\/stucco-passive-house\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Stucco to Create An Energy-Efficient Passive House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through\u00a0<\/i>Architizer<\/i><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0<\/i>inspirational newsletter<\/i><\/span><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

In its most traditional applications, stucco fa\u00e7ades are created by laying two or three coats of plaster directly onto the face of masonry or wood. As a result of this age-old building technique, stucco is sometimes criticized as lacking adaptability, since it is not traditionally manipulated to include insulation. However, as sustainable design takes hold and asserts itself as a central component to all successful constructions today, many architects are experimenting with the possibility of achieving an exterior stucco finish, while also adding the benefits of rigorous insulation. This way, aesthetics and functionality can be merged into one.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we investigate the opportunities that stucco can provide, specifically under passive house principles. Leveraging the brilliant products of manufacturers like Sto<\/b><\/a>, is it possible to create a highly energy-efficient passive house that is enclosed in a stucco fa\u00e7ade?<\/p>\n\n

Located in Brooklyn, Knickerbocker Commons<\/a> by Chris Benedict R.A.<\/a> harnesses Sto insulation with a stucco finish to conform to passive house building standards<\/i><\/p>\n

What is a passive house?<\/h2>\n

\u201cPassive house\u201d is a building philosophy that first emerged in Germany. Spearheaded by an independent research institute called The Passive House Institute (PHI)<\/a>, today, the concept is internationally recognized as a performance-based energy standard in construction. In the US, the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS)<\/a> has flourished as a non-profit committed to making high-performance passive buildings the mainstream market standard.<\/p>\n

According to the PHI, passive houses are energy efficient, comfortable and affordable building that uses less than a quarter of the energy of a traditionally powered building. Passive buildings are capable of maintaining a comfortable interior climate without active heating and cooling systems.<\/p>\n\n

Via PHIUS<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

To achieve this, the standards place a strong emphasis on creating a high-performing, air-tight thermal enclosure. The resulting building membrane will trap a desirable interior temperature and reduce heat loss, regardless of the exterior climate conditions. Therefore, passive house building principles are highly relevant to this investigation include:<\/p>\n