As consumers we face great financial pressures due to rising prices. Households are in a difficult position, as a large part of their income ends up on the energy bill.
This situation does not seem to be reversible, with energy prices "locked" at high levels compared to the past. In these difficult circumstances we are now asked on a monthly basis to choose an invoice colour and provider. Can this stop bothering us?
Yes, it can, answers Marios Domoxoudis, NTUA Civil Engineer and certified passive building designer. In 2022, together with Marianna Kaltsa, architect engineer and PhD candidate at AUTH, they founded Domotek Consulting Engineers, an engineering services company that aims to provide technical solutions to problems related to climate change and the new conditions created around the energy market.
As they explain, in the world of modern construction, energy efficiency and sustainable architecture are central pillars for a sustainable future. The Domotek team are pioneers of sustainable architecture in our city, aiming to create buildings that not only stand the test of time but also reduce their environmental footprint.
In the following interview, its founders share their experiences, challenges and vision for Domotek and the world of sustainable architecture. And as they themselves say, in passive buildings, the colour of the invoice does not matter much.
What made you focus on passive buildings?
Marios: My experience as a civil engineer and my love for the environment led me to look for sustainable solutions in construction. So in 2021 I received the Passive Building Designer certification from the German Passive Building Institute. Passive buildings represent the perfect synergy between architectural excellence and sustainable development, and are the way buildings will be constructed in the very near future.
Marianna: I, too, with a background in sustainability, was looking for ways to combine technology with architecture to create buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
The annual energy requirement of a passive building for cooling and heating is less than 15 kWh per square metre. A new conventional class A building needs almost five times that.
What exactly are passive buildings and why are they so important?
Marios: Passive buildings are constructions that achieve extremely low energy consumption. The annual energy requirement of a passive building for cooling and heating is less than 15 kWh per square metre, while a new conventional energy class A construction needs almost five times that. This is achieved with the right design, carefully studied materials and construction methodology, and certified frames and ventilation systems.
At the end of construction, a passive building receives an airtightness certification, and its overall performance is certified through on-site measurements, so the result is guaranteed. A key role in the final certification is the participation of certified passive building designers, such as Domotek, in all phases of a project, from design to implementation.
The importance of passive buildings is great, as they reduce the carbon footprint, bring energy independence and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
The role of the certified engineer is crucial in all phases of the project.
You said energy independence. What do you mean?
Marios: When a building's energy needs for cooling and heating are so low, less than 15 kWh per square metre per year, the colour of the tariff matters little. In addition, the costs of cooling and heating can very easily be covered entirely by a very small photovoltaic system on the roof, so the building is independent of retail price fluctuations.
What is Domotek's philosophy behind passive buildings?
Marianna: At Domotek, we support buildings that are not only highly aesthetic but also highly functional. We focus on sustainability, creating spaces that live and breathe together with their occupants, offering comfort, hygiene and high energy efficiency.
What are your challenges in constructing these buildings?
Marios: The biggest challenge is the balance between cost and performance. We use the latest technologies and practices to create buildings that are not only efficient but also affordable.
A passive building is not more expensive than a conventional one.
Isn't a passive building more expensive than a conventional one?
Marios: After the slightly higher construction costs, passive buildings have significantly lower operating costs: lower energy costs thanks to high efficiency, less maintenance and repair, and greater durability and lifetime of materials. So the answer is no, a passive building is not more expensive than a conventional one. In the long run, I would say the opposite.
Can an existing building become passive?
Marios: Yes. For existing buildings there is EnerPHit, a certification standard for renovating existing buildings, based on Passive House principles.
How do you see the future of sustainable architecture?
Marianna: I see a bright future. The direction is towards smarter, automated homes that reduce energy consumption and incorporate natural elements. We wish to extend the company to projects that encourage social solidarity and sustainable living.
What are you currently planning?
Marios: One project worth mentioning, concerning Larissa, is a space designed on the passive building model that anyone who wants to experience a passive building will be able to visit.
As our conversation with Marios and Marianna comes to a close, the impression Domotek leaves is that of a living example of how modern architecture and sustainable development can not only coexist but flourish together, through innovation, an emphasis on energy efficiency and a commitment to aesthetics.