Building a Passive House

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

   PDF

2. An Uphill Trek

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 1-10

3. Is the Passive House Right for Us? (Follow the Money)

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 11-26

4. Navigation Instruments

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 27-49

5. Form and Structure

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 51-85

6. Building Envelope

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 87-127

7. Building Physics and Thermophysical Performance

   • Kristian Fabbri

   Pages 129-161

8. Designing the Thermal Bridges

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 163-201

9. Designing Airtightness

   • Stefano Piraccini

   Pages 203-232

10. Designing the “Interferences” with the Technical Systems

    • Stefano Piraccini

    Pages 233-258

11. Monitoring Campaign

    • Kristian Fabbri

    Pages 259-293

12. Design Plans

    • Stefano Piraccini

    Pages 295-322

This book describes step-by-step the entire building process of a passive, energy-efficient house in a Mediterranean climate. It chronicles the creation of the Fiorita Passive House in Cesena, Italy, offering designers valuable tips and practical advice for their own projects. Written as a logbook, it not only provides essential technical information but is also an exciting story of the challenges encountered and the solutions that were found.


“How and where do I start when building a passive house? Do I need consultants? Will it cost too much? What precautions should I take in a Mediterranean region? What tools do I need? I want to build in wood, but what technical solutions should I use? What must I do regarding plants and equipment? And then, finally, will it really work?” These and many other questions filled the head of the author and designer when he tried his hand at building a passive house in the Mediterranean.


The designer, S. Piraccini, had long sought a book that would answer these answers – in vain. So he decided to brave these dangerous waters alone, and after successfully completing his project, he decided to write a book to help others in the same situation. The book is accompanied by detailed information on building physics and HVAC systems by his fellow architect, K. Fabbri.

• PASSIVE HOUSE design
• LOW ENERGY BUILDINGS
• TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION in architecture
• NZEB (NEAR ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS)
• SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
• Mediterranean passive house

• Cesena, Italy

  Stefano Piraccini, Kristian Fabbri

Stefano Piraccini. (Cesena, 1976) Architect and PhD in Architecture (Building Technology), carries out his design work, dealing with issues such as environmental sustainability, nZEB (near Zero Energy Buildings) and technological innovation. His projects have won design competitions, exhibitions, architectural awards and are found in publications. Adjunct Professor in Detail Design for Energy Efficiency, at the Department of Architecture at the University of Bologna (ITALY). Author of scientific publications in books and articles. He has participated in conferences and commissions as a member and/or spokesperson. Technical and scientific consultant for Public Bodies and private parties. 

Kristian Fabbri. (Lecco, 1974) Architect and freelance architect and consultant on building energy performance, indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort, heritage and energy efficiency. Qualified Associate Professor Sector 09/C2 Environmental Physics and Nuclear Engineering ASN 2013. Consultant of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Public Bodies), SMEs and trade and professional organisations. Adjunct Professor in Environmental Physics and Building Simulation Technique at the Department of Architecture at the University of Bologna (ITALY). He has also conducted research and issued publications in the same fields, publishing more than 150 papers in international and national scientific journals, as well as books and technical manuals. In 2015 he published for SPRINGER International Publishing, the book: Fabbri K, Indoor thermal comfort perception. A Questionnaire Approach Focusing on Children, ISBN: 9783319186504. 

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