Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
The Passivhaus standard in buildings with SketchUp
From this portal in collaboration with Íscar Software de Arquitectura we have wanted to provide a different look at the standard Passivhaus, its objectives, its most relevant characteristics or why it fits perfectly with the sketchup tool From the perspective of a professional with many years of experience in the sector, we are talking about José María Dobrito, with a short interview to reveal one of the most highly valued national and international certifications.
José María Dobrito is an architect and Executive Director of R&S Passivhaus Project Management, S.L. in Madrid since 2015. He has professional experience with technical and managerial training in the development of industrial and office projects, project management and administration of construction and engineering companies.
Project Manager with experience in the entire construction process from project and budget development, license management, project implementation, sales and dealing with clients.
What is the Passivhaus standard? And how did you meet him?
The Passive House standard is a way of constructing Near Zero Energy Buildings (ECCN) that began 26 years ago in Germany, and is now the most demanding and recognized of all standards of this type. I met him in a short course that was taught at the COAM College of Architects of Madrid in 2015.
What was it that encouraged you to dedicate yourself to carrying out these types of projects?
The poor state of the labor landscape for architects made specialization essential, and in something whose future was unmistakably promising. And the European Union was in charge of creating it with the European Directive 2010/31 / EU on buildings with almost zero energy consumption, which urges the Member States that no later than December 31, 2022, all new buildings will have to be near zero energy buildings, and after December 31, 2022, new buildings that are occupied and owned by public authorities will also be near zero energy buildings.
How long have you been dedicating yourself to the realization of Passivhaus?
In 2015 I made the decision to dedicate myself to it, and did a Passivhaus Designer course, examining myself with the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstad, obtaining the title of Certified Passivhaus Designer in December 2015. In January 2016 I set up my own company R&S Arquitectura (www.komfortzone.es) and since then I have dedicated myself to it. Currently, I am also the Madrid delegate of PEP (Passive House Building Platform)
What is it and what do you do at PEP Passive House Building Platform?
PEP is a non-profit organization that brings together all those linked to Passivhaus in Spain, and which is dedicated to the dissemination of the Passivhaus standard.
How do you think this type of housing affects the fight against climate change in a positive way?
First of all, let me tell you that although Passivhaus translates into Spanish as passive houseIt is much more than homes, they are also made under this standard: offices, buildings for public use, swimming pools, sports centers, schools, kindergartens, universities, etc., and of course group and single-family semi-detached, semi-detached and isolated homes.
The CO2 footprint, and its consequences for climate change are a very current issue, and it can also be approached from Passivhaus with great advantages, but we focus on the large amount of energy that is wasted in buildings that have been built up to now, and in the great energy savings that its reduction of up to 90% supposes for the invoice of a family or company. The cheapest energy is the one that is not consumed, and we are strong advocates of living better with less energy.
We imagine that you will recommend this type of housing to all the people who are looking for a house, or who want to buy a new one, but why? What are the advantages and benefits that this type of housing offers us?
Not only for those looking for a new home, but also for those who want to reform theirs. Passivhaus has a stamp for reform called Enerphit, and that it is in rehabilitation the same as Passivhaus in new construction.
I have talked about saving energy bills, but there are many more advantages, the fundamental ones being hygiene and comfort. The Passivhaus buildings they have an extraordinary indoor air quality, without pollens, without environmental or acoustic pollution (none of the NO2 that suffocates large cities), without insects, with low concentrations of CO2, without interior condensation or mold. Living or working in a Passivhaus building is a guarantee of breathing fresh air, sleeping well (not in the office, of course), and not having sick buildings that affect our health, well-being and work performance.
Was it difficult for you to carry out your first project of this type? And in relation to this, how did you solve the complications, did SketchUp help you with something?
Always the first project changing the way of doing things is complex, adapting to change is fundamental and necessary for growth and evolution.
The main difficulty was to implement all the data of the building in the spreadsheet and static simulation that we use in Passivhaus, the PHPP.
I solved it thanks to SketchUp and a Plug-in called DesignPH, which allows to draw the basic geometry of the building, and export it to PHPP.
What project do you remember with special affection of those carried out so far?
An office building in Madrid, on Bahía de Pollensa street in Madrid. Of about 3,500 m2 built above ground, on three office floors, and about 5,000 m2 of underground parking in two basements.
Very complex, but very satisfying problem solving process.
How did you find out about SketchUp? And what is your opinion on SketchUp?
I met the software Sketchup in the same way as Passivhaus, in a short course at the COAM (College of Architects of Madrid).
For me SketchUp is of extraordinary power, I think it is essential to make presentations and animations quickly for clients.
Was it difficult for you to learn to use SketchUp?
Approaching the learning of SketchUp already at a certain age, I thought that it would cost me as much as other BIM programs, and not at all, the learning curve of SketchUp is exponential… it advances a lot in a very short time.
Why did you choose SketchUp to carry out these types of projects?
For compatibility with PHPP and DesignPH, and therefore with Passivhaus, and for having the need to approach BIM in an easy and friendly way.
How has this software helped you when carrying out your projects?
As I have already explained, it has been essential in saving time to implement data in PHPP. However, being able to teach clients that it is difficult to see a plan in 2d, their project in 3d orbiting and showing everything they want to see… has been decisive. Customers are excited when they understand in three dimensions something that was once a mystery to them on a floor plan.
What SketchUp tools have been essential to give a differential value to your project?
Apart from those already mentioned, make 3d video presentations for clients quickly and easily.
What do you achieve with SketchUp that you would not have achieved with other similar programs?
Speed, versatility, ease of use … And of course, compatibility with Passivhaus software.
We remember that there will soon be a free SketchUp Webinar that we find very interesting:
If you liked the article, rate and share!
