Enter Passive House “The Passive House offers so much,”saysDeborahByrne,COO of Kearns Mancini Architects (KMAI) and Director of Passive House Design, “health, comfort, climate resiliency, super energy efficiency, durable, COVIDresilient and so on. But equally in its simple architecture, in its owner type, in its materiality, it gives a sense that ‘anyone can build it.’” How does Passive House help us meet our climate challenges and provide a better place to live? Byrne cites the KMAI’s experience in designing and building the Putman Family YWCA – a 50-unit residence for women and women-led families with a community centre that offers support programs and education in Hamilton’s artistic Crown Point Neighbourhood. “Designing using science,” she says, “to meet rigid functional requirements of Passive House ensures the building, if operated FEBRUARY 2022
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