In regenerative design, energy e ciency is not a mechanical afterthought—it is embedded in the form, material, and orientation of the structure itself. This course teaches the principles and practice of passive heating and cooling strategies for o -grid and hybrid buildings. You will learn to harness sunlight, earth mass, air movement, shading, and thermal storage to create comfort in extreme climates without relying on fossil fuels or mechanical systems. Whether you’re designing in Taos, New Mexico or the subtropics of Florida, this curriculum will give you the tools to shape thermal comfort as a function of architecture.
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/month
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Course Curriculum
- Overview
- Thermal Comfort
- Codes and Regulations Relative to Comfort
- Adaptive Comfort
- Degree Days
- Overview
- Heat Flow
- Radiant Energy
- Passive Solar Energy Gain
- Direct Solar Gain Systems
- The Greenhouse Effect in Buildings
- Sunspaces and Greenhouses
- Thermosiphon (Convective-Loop) Systems
- Trombe Walls
- Surface Color and Solar Gain
- Drawing Sun Angles and Best Design Dates
- Review: Passive Solar Principles
- What Is a Passive Building?
- The Principles of a Passive Building
- PassiveHaus: History and Standards
- Overview
- Tropical Climate: Hot and Humid
- Temperate Climate: Warm and Humid
- Temperate / Upland Climate: Dry and Cool
- Arid Climate: Dry Hot and Cold
- Plant Species and Microclimatic Design
- Overview
- Insulation Principles
- R-Value and U-Value
- R-Value Deterioration
- Air Leaks and Insulation
- How Insulation Works: The Three Heat Transfer Mechanisms
- Total R-Values and Climate Zones
- Footing, Foundation, and Slab Insulation
- Frost Heaving
- Types of Insulation
- Thermal Wrap: The Continuous Insulation Strategy
- Overview
- How Thermal Mass Works
- Using Thermal Mass Effectively
- Locating Thermal Mass
- Glass to Thermal Mass Ratios
- Thermal Mass Properties of Common Materials
- Earth Sheltering
- Thermal Mass Checklist
- Overview
- Heat Avoidance Strategies
- Four Types of Passive Cooling Systems
- Ventilation Design for Passive Cooling
- Shading
- Ecological Impact of Earthship Design
- Overview
- The Perfect Wall
- Thermal Envelope
- Heat Loss Analysis
- Heat Gain Analysis
- Moisture Control
- Vapor Barriers and Vapor Retarders
- Infiltration, Ventilation, and Air Sealing
- Overview
- Rammed Earth in Tires: The Earthship Wall System
- Slip-Form: Stone Masonry and Concrete
- Adobe Brick Walls
- Water as Thermal Mass: Liquid Thermal Mass
- Overview
- Window Performance Fundamentals
- Improving Existing Windows
- Selecting New Energy-Efficient Windows
- Window Boxes and Solar Gain Optimization
- Window Installation
- Thermographic Inspection
- Overview