Passive Solar

The curving stone wall of the City of Rocks Visitors Center links the building to the site and frames the entry sequence to the fantastic natural formations beyond. Daylighting and passive solar heating reduce energy consumption and enrich the experience of the space.

schematic design and design development: Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, Mazria Associates.

Taking the form a rolling wave, the roof of the Chavez Center shelters an integrated municipal sports complex with skating rink, 50-meter pool and multicourt gymnasium. The 170,000 square feet facility utilizes a clerestory strategy to bring solar heat to the swimming pool and diffused daylight illumination to the ice rink and courts.

Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, project lead for planning, programming, schematic design and design development, Mazria Associates.

These residences are successful efforts to bring sustainable systems and modernist architecture to the speculative housing market. Modest in cost, they utilize high performance envelopes and glazing, high mass/passive solar design and natural ventilation. Against the predictions of skeptics who doubted both the aesthetic and the technical approach, the homes were under contract even before completion.

architecture: Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, principal, Chord Architecture.

The Valencia house minimizes its ecological footprint through passive solar design, a high performance envelope, active solar thermal collection and photovoltaics. The house will be an annual net producer of energy.

Construction scheduled 2012.

architecture: Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, principal, Chord Architecture.
 
 

Natural daylighting and passive solar heating enhance the gathering space in this community center serving disadvantaged seniors.

architecture: Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, principal, Chord Architecture.
 
 
 

This house will achieve net zero energy use through passive solar design, a high performance envelope, active solar heating and photovoltaic systems. Indoor air quality is a priority, along with water conservation and xeriscaping. Construction scheduled 2012.

architecture: Hugh MacPherson Driscoll, principal, Chord Architecture.