Mahsa Nakisa

Integrating Passive Design Strategies with Dynamic Thermal Skin for Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings in Cold Climates 

My thesis addresses the global challenges of climate change and the energy crisis, focusing on enhancing the energy efficiency of residential buildings in extreme cold climates, particularly in Canada. The residential sector accounts for a significant share of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a critical area for sustainable intervention.  From 2000 to 2019, energy efficiency in Canada's residential sector improved by 32%, thereby demonstrating the potential for continued advancements in reducing energy use and environmental impacts. 

This thesis explores passive house integration design principles and innovative strategies as a thermal skin to optimize energy performance in residential buildings, particularly in cold climates. Passive house design principles respond to energy saving through exceptional thermal performance, advanced insulation, airtightness, high-performance windows, and heat recovery systems (HRV). However, these standards often present challenges and design constraints, such as compact volume and using unsustainable materials in insulation. However, these standards also present challenges such as design constraints, material sustainability concerns, and balancing insulation with solar gain. 

To address these challenges, this research investigates approaches and theories that can inform the development of energy efficiency in the residential building sector in extremely cold climates such as Winnipeg, Manitoba. this strategy is the use of a dynamic thermal buffering layer, a barrier that prevents freezing air from reaching the building's core, while biomimetic materials like bio-based polyurethane films help the building's sustainability. This study attempts to increase efficiency in the residential sector and improve energy performance by employing an innovative dynamic thermal skin layer and the passive house principle for cold climates like Winnipeg, Manitoba. This architectural solution responds to temperature fluctuation between -35ºC (-31 ºF) to +34ºC (95 ºF) throughout the year and relies on passive free energy without compromising design quality, and most importantly, human comfort. 

Building energy modelling tools like PHPP and the analysis of sustainable materials work together to positively influence the design outcome toward optimized energy performance. By integrating renewable energy and optimizing design strategies, passive house systems contribute to the evolution of energy-efficient residential architecture by offering viable solutions for mitigating environmental impacts in cold climates. 

Keywords: energy efficiency, passive house, residential architecture, cold climate design, sustainable building system