ABSTRACT
In the United States today, central air conditioning has become ubiquitous. Relatively cheap power, increased expectations for thermal comfort, and rising temperatures have all contributed to the pervasiveness of A/C systems. What, then, is the role of passive design in architecture? The increasing significance of resilience – an outgrowth of the desire for buildings that can bounce back from potentially catastrophic events – has seen designers place value on passive systems once again. Alex Wilson, President of Building Green, has even coined the term Passive Survivability to describe a building’s ability to maintain critical life support systems in the event of a power loss. However, this chapter proposes taking this idea even further. Moving beyond an understanding of passive systems as an emergency response mechanism, what if we thought of passive design as a means of improving and influencing the quality of everyday life? Through a historical, cultural, and technical analysis of passive versus active systems, this chapter suggests that passive designs actually produce active occupants who are in tune with their environments. Passive systems are more than just buildings – they are a confluence of people, place, and program, relying on users who are deeply connected to their surroundings, and their buildings. Through the concept of Passive Thrivability, this chapter proposes a mindset shift whereby passive systems are used to create experiences that heighten both our perception and appreciation of our thermal environments.
