>> > >> Great Open House this weekend with many enthusiastic visitors to the Mini-B and nine other homes and gardens on the tour. Over two hundred filtered through the Mini-B. Temperature was a beautiful 70 degrees inside all day with door open. Many options are surfacing for the new demo location. Stay tuned…..
>> >> Joe G

What happens when is hot out?
I get this question regularly since the Mini-B is so well insulated. Well….?
What would you do now, in the house you live in today?
Open the windows? Mini-B has windows! Amazing! And it works! I tried it out this week with temperatures in the 70′s. I open the two side windows downstairs and the loft window….and….. The inside temp was lower than the outside temp since the thermal mass kept the house cool from the night. Another option is to turn off the heat recovery wheel in the ERV and ventilate without recovering the heat, sort of like opening the windows but now you have filtered air coming in.
Pretty simple….and that’s the plan with Passive House.
Joe Giampietro

MINI-B PASSIVE HOUSE

 Hello,

 

I am reaching out to those who have seen and/or expressed interest in the Mini-B Passive House. 

 

 After 6 months at the Phinney Neighborhood Center and more than 800 visitors from Canada to California, including builders, educators, students, government officials, developers, major land owners and residents who care about energy efficiency and lower utilities, it is time for the Mini-B to move on.

 

 Wherever it goes, the Mini-B will continue to be open to the public as a model home representing the future of energy conservation in the Pacific Northwest.  Additionally we plan to begin selling the Mini-B, including the full range from basic plans to complete modular homes.  There is strong interest in the mini-B as a backyard cottage, a vacation cabin or as an alternative single family home.   As you know, a Passive House slashes energy use by 85%  and also offers healthy indoor air with high efficiency ventilation systems. 

 

 The Mini-B has generated great media exposure for high-performance, low-energy buildings and attracts people constantly, even when not officially open for tours. But signage on the exterior provides information and resources. 

 

 We are  looking for a permanent site involving a rental or purchase arrangement with someone who shares an interest in sustainable building and has a 30 X 40 foot space.  Possible sites for Mini-B include:

           

            A.      On the property of a single family home, provided the owner lives in the main house.

B.      Property in a Low Rise zone, L-1, L-2 or L-3, with no restrictions on owner occupancy.

C.      Property in a Commercial, Industrial or Institutional Zone.

 

 

Please contact me with suggestions, and forward to others who may be interested.

See the attached site plan showing a lot area of about 30 feet by 40 feet.

 

Joseph Giampietro, Architect -  www.MiniBPassiveHouse.com (206)618-1545 -  jgiampie@comcast.net