Green Architects' Lounge

In Part 3, Chris, Phil, and Pat wrap up their discussion on BiomassOrganic waste that can be converted to usable forms of energy such as heat or electricity, or crops grown specifically for that purpose. Boilers with a chat about cost, a 'Hot Zigg', and a 'Six Digit Idea'. Then the episode concludes with a song by Pete Miller called Daydreamer.

The thing about photovoltaic(PV) Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow. solar (or PVPhotovoltaics. Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic (PV) cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow.) is that in order to understand if it is appropriate for the project you're working on, you really have to understand the metrics and basics of solar systems.

Chris and Phil sat down, turned on the mic, and did their best to convey the basic concepts and rules of thumb that most green professionals should know. This will of course be laying the ground work for part two, where we cover the financial implications of solar PV.

In this episode we are assuming that you are preparing to design or build a super-tight house and you’re interested in the best way to provide fresh air for its occupants.

In the old days, you’d just “let the house breathe” [shudder]. But those days are long gone. A healthy house leaks, while an energy-efficient house controls how it leaks — and this episode is all about the latter.

Not too long ago I found myself in a deep conversation (pun intended) about frost-protected slabs with some other architects and building professionals. I was surprised at the energy surrounding the topic. We all seemed to have developed substantial differences in the details on our own and we were all learning from each other.

I was equally surprised at how fresh this concept seemed — I mean, haven’t we been founding our wood structures on the ground for centuries now? Millennia, even?

The diversity of approaches has to do with our culture’s new desire to create ultra-energy-efficient houses. I walked away thinking that we should do a podcast on the subject, but then I thought about how much drawing we all did, and wondered if an audio podcast was a good forum for this topic.

Luckily, with the courage supplied by a good cocktail and the “challenge accepted” attitude and encouragement from Phil, we decided we’d make a go of it. We decided we’d cover the concepts in audio form and provide some details from our own work here on GBA.--Chris