In a move that supports both his own design ambitions and HLM’s sustainability objectives, Dan Stokes has recently achieved Certified Passivhaus Designer status.
Dan explained his motivation for taking the qualification:
“Passivhaus is an environmental benchmark standard that meets these high targets, so I felt it was important be able to design buildings with these performance standards in mind.”
“I undertook the Passivhaus Designer qualification for number of reasons. Firstly, I think ensuring that our buildings are designed to as high an environmental standard as possible is critical to ensuring the industry meets its climate emergency goals. Passivhaus is an environmental benchmark standard that meets these high targets, so I felt it was important be able to design buildings with these performance standards in mind.
Secondly, Passivhaus is an environmental design methodology that has its foundations in data – which I think is an incredible useful design tool. To be able to control the data, which is formed as much around mechanical ventilation strategy as it is around building fabric for example, provides an opportunity for a more rigorous, ambitious and cost-efficient building design. as well the overarching energy performance.
Passivhaus is also a certifiable design standard that involves not just the design, but also the construction. As a Passivhaus designer, you work closely with the contractor to ensure the design is built to these energy performance standards, and help to close the performance gap of energy established at design stage vs the actual in-use performance of the building.”
Dan has a strong passion for environmentally supportive, sustainable design including the use of bio-based materials in architecture. The undertaking of this qualification further strengthens his skillset, and reflects HLM’s commitment to both upskilling our staff and designing sustainable buildings.
