I do. I have volumes and volumes on passive solar design. I agree it makes sense, but only across a limited field in a society willing to embrace it. AGW is a very shaky platform on which to advance it. It's disingenuous to use that chewed out pop tart of a gun held to the collective heads of society at large as a means to force it. An electric car is not a viable option for most, and neither is passive solar design for someone living in Queens.
Before, you were saying nothing could be done. Now you are saying people aren't willing to do it. Only science deniers think AGW is a shaky platform. Most commuters drive less than 30 miles per day, and the range of electric cars are now far beyond that.
"Ryan Enschede believes that we have lost our understanding of how to build in relation to the climate, and the Brooklyn-based architect and designer has dedicated his career to changing that mindset. Enschede’s work centers around the idea that architectural design and construction principles should be based on factors like solar energy, regional climate, and the changing seasons. He caught our attention because of his solar array projects throughout New York City, and recently, we had a chance to sit down and chat with Enschede about his design philosophy and his current work.
“I am an architect pursuing sustainable architectural solutions adapted to NYC’s climate and built conditions,” says Enschede. He adds, “I’m increasingly convinced that we need to address energy more, and thereby climate change, both not particularly well understood. A lot of mistakes are not being understood as mistakes.”
Enschede believes that the majority of these issues unfortunately arise due to a lack of understanding of traditional design principles, and over-dependence on machinery, a handicap which Enschede dubs, “mechanical conditioning.” He gives the example of a variety of construction errors often used in green buildings, such as the placement of skylights. He explains how many buildings use skylights which are not properly installed in relation to the sun’s trajectory, and in turn, can actually be detrimental to energy efficiency overall. The same is also true for building facades, which are also often not built in accordance to the sun’s path during changing seasons.
Not taking these factors into consideration exposes certain elements of the building to higher levels of solar radiation, which can be especially uncomfortable during summer months. Enschede proposes paying attention to these variables, which when taken into account, will reject solar heat in the summer and distribute solar energy heating during the winter. This will create a certain level of independence from mechanical devices.
Enschede strives to deliver these environmental considerations to all his clients. Through a collaborative effort with Aeon Solar, Enschede has become an expert at “implementing rooftop photovoltaic solar arrays in New York City’s unique and difficult environment.” Enschede has also used his expertise to provide photovoltaic solar systems for both commercial and residential use, including NYC’s largest residential PV solar system on Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn. He was worked on about three dozen arrays throughout Brooklyn and Queens."
Read more: Architect Ryan Enschede Tackles Climate Change Through Sustainable Building in NYC Ryan Enschede Passive Solar Design – Inhabitat New York City
