Using an Old Design Technique to Help Combat Rising Temperatures in the Pacific Northwest

As temperatures continue to rise worldwide, architects are becoming increasingly aware of the designs necessary to ensure that buildings can remain cool inside. This issue is particularly relevant in the Pacific Northwest where temperatures recently reached 115 degrees in late June. One idea that is centuries old but resurfacing as a potential solution is Passive House. With this concept, buildings are designed to have higher-than-normal levels of insulation in their walls, roof, and windows. This results in air-tight buildings that experience very little temperature change inside. This is an exciting concept as it faces the issue of rising temperatures while also reducing energy costs and helping the environment. To read the full article about Passive House buildings, please visit https://www.fastcompany.com/90653389/how-an-ancient-design-technique-could-help-us-survive-extreme-heat-no-ac-needed.

 

–Ally Larson