Passive solar in the city : an energy conscious design for subsidized multi-family housing development

Abstract

Until now, passive solar energy has been overlooked as a viable alternative for home heating in urban subsidized housing. Rather ironically, in housing whose residents could most benefit from the use of solar energy, such concepts and technologies are not utilized. This thesis demonstrates how passive solar heating and energy conscious design can be economically implemented in low- and moderate-income subsidized housing. The research and design work presented explain the well-integrated system of natural environmental tempering that includes passive solar heating, natural daylighting, natural ventilation and energy conservation. A crucial aspect of the thesis is the method of dollar-for-dollar tradeoffs that is used to keep the cost of the natural environmental tempering components within the strict budget constraints of subsidized housing. Also, the housing is designed with careful attention paid to the needs of the inhabitants. Thus, in addition to the energy concerns, the design reflects new attitudes toward subsidized housing. The resulting solar architecture is a significant answer to the need for economical public housing that allows low-income urban residents to benefit from the sun's abundant energy.