retrofitMAINE: phases I + II
researching deep-energy retrofitting of wooden, residential structures of common typologies, at the intersection of climate and social justice.
Introduction
The goal of retrofitMAINE is to investigate and develop prototypes, strategies and best practices for deep energy to passive house standard retrofits of typical Maine buildings which can be replicated and shared with regional and international partners with similar climates and housing stock. End goals: high quality renovation, resulting in healthier buildings, which are more resilient in severe weather, and aiming for a net-negative carbon footprint through the use of materials which embed carbon rather than emit it.
Phases + approach
PHASE I Feasibility and Development (2019 – 2020): The initial phase of six months solidifying partnerships and begin initial rounds of cost assessment and fundraising. A single structure will be fully reviewed for an EnerPHit renovation, drawings and costs projections developed to provide a map for renovation. This phase will also mark the beginning of exploration of the “Open Source” system.
PHASE II Initial Framing (2020 – 2021): Summarize current high-performance/passive house building retrofit practices in northern latitudes. To begin, a review of written published practices will be conducted. A survey and interviews of regional design, construction, research and development, manufacturing, municipal and academic professionals. Drawing from published practices and regional expertise, a summary of current practices in northern climates will be developed. Opportunity for our academic partners to participate in the research, familiarizing all with current best practices while forming cross-institutional relationships. The initial building identified in PHASE I will serve as a prototype for design, actual construction, documentation, process sharing, data collection, analysis and storage.P
Organization + resources
passivhausMAINE will be the lead organization for this project. Since 2011, passivhausMAINE has created partnerships within the design, wood products, and building communities. passivhausMAINE was initially started to promote passive house standards — a set of building energy efficiency standards that allow buildings to use less than 10% of the energy of conventional buildings. Building techniques and standards have steadily improved such that new buildings can now be constructed to this standard with negligible increases in upfront building costs. Executive Director, Naomi Beal, will lead a working group of passivhausMAINE members and committee of the passivhausMAINE Board of Directors to conduct this project. She has extensive networking and leadership experience in passive house and building science, locally and internationally.
but what about phases III and IV?! learn more about this initiative, approach, outcome, partners and budgets by clicking the image below…
