Metropolis Magazine
3 Rolling titles
Local Parti Shares the Gentle Art of Passive Architecture
Crafting Sustainable Living With Local Parti
The Symbiotic Affair Between Nature and Architecture
Passive architecture is not a trend—it is a crucial approach to architecture that responds to natural elements that promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Here, architecture and design studio Local Parti shares thoughts on integrating this free resource into every project and a case study that details how they make passive design work for their clients.
By: Emily Chang, AIA, LEED AP, Local Parti
“When a family approached us at Local Parti and said they wanted a passive house type construction because they had heard about the increased air quality, and both dad and son had awful allergies, my first question was: Do you ever open your windows? And how frequently?” Emily Chang, Principal at Local Parti
The concept of passive architecture—also known as passive design—is not new; it is an architectural approach that leverages natural elements—like solar and wind—with passive, inherent systems of a building to create comfortable, energy-efficient, and sustainable structures. The history of passive architecture dates back to ancient civilizations, but it was de-emphasized with the advent of mechanical climate control in the 20th century.
CAPTION: Oversized Skylights allow natural light in, while motorized shades with sensors and film mediate the effects of solar heat gain
As concerns about energy efficiency and sustainability have grown, passive architecture—in residential, commercial, and institutional construction—is having a renaissance in green building practices. Currently, sustainability has made it to the center of today’s lifestyle conversations: from the kinds of water bottles we use and the organic food we eat to electric cars and glamping, concepts of the circular economy shape today’s innovations. However, these concepts have yet to make it into the design of every home. In a world where the home actively supports our lifestyle, achieving harmony with our environment is paramount. Just as the set design in a theater production becomes an integral element in the narrative, our homes play a supporting role in the grand daily story of our lives.
Caption: In this example of passive architecture in the upper-floor painting studio, there is no hint of the blast of light falling behind the wall. The wall is, in fact, a surface for painting, so all systems and interventions must be silent.
As we practice it, passive architecture delves into the symbiotic relationship between a home and its environment. At Local Parti, we embark on a journey where artistry meets sustainable living; from the initial design sketches to construction, furnishings, and even color choices, we are not simply crafting houses. We are curating sustainable, long-lasting, easy lifestyles. We use strategies and technologies from building certification programs such as LEED, NGBS, BREEAM, and Passive House to ensure our clients get the best performance from their homes. We personalize the design intent to reflect their unique wants and needs, enhancing their well-being. Lifestyle serves as the driving force behind every design choice, from aesthetics to performance standards and assemblies. We view building codes as a starting point, not a finish line.
Caption: In the lower-floor sculpture studio, the movement and change of the natural light allow works of art to be envisaged and evolved throughout the different light conditions.
Your home is responsive to its environment; thus, conscious design of how your home will occupy its space is a cornerstone of our passive design principles. It’s about the interactions between your home’s interior/exterior and the landscape in which it exists.
Caption: This project’s upper floor painting studio (before and after, shown above), flooded with natural light, is not used for lighting the canvas but rather to give a sense of time and weather. Hence, the inhabitant is not detached from the natural environment.
A Painter and a Sculptor Walk in the Studio
When spending 10-plus hours in one’s workspace, the conditions must enhance productivity and well-being (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Consider this 10,000-square-foot studio shared by a dynamic creative duo—a painter and a sculptor. The sculptor’s basement studio was devoid of natural light. The painter’s 1st-floor studio has three oversized skylights. She emphasized that the area downstairs had to feel light and bright as well. We are always mindful of what the environment already offers because not taking advantage of the available resources is a missed opportunity.
In response to her design requisites, we harnessed the sun’s rays to invigorate creativity by injecting the basement space with natural light. We leveraged the light from the roof to the basement to provide the sculptor with natural light to help increase and maintain energy levels, healthy sleep patterns, a more positive atmosphere, and enhanced productivity in the work environment.
Caption: In the lower-floor sculpture studio (before and after, shown above), by moving the daylight from the outside into the windowless basement, we continue that connection to nature, that sense of time and place, even when spending hours or days in a windowless space.
Harmonizing our environment is crucial in a world where our homes are extensions of our lives, and passive architecture is not merely trending; it’s a necessity. At Local Parti, we believe in crafting homes that resonate with individuals—enriching lives and promoting a sustainable future. We learn our clients’ ways because home is personal.
Emily Chang, AIA, LEED AP, the principal at Local Parti, integrates sustainable practices and new technologies to create optimally healthy spaces crafted to her client’s needs, personality, and lifestyle.