From Problem to Net Positive: The transformation of existing, inefficient building stock
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Date
2019
Authors
Srivastava, Malini
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The Net Positive studio is a 7-week studio in the penultimate year of a professional M. Arch. program at
the University of Minnesota. This studio focuses on developing, assessing, documenting, and representing
interaction between architectural form and environmental factors, using energy modeling tools and
incorporating frequent quantitative feedback.
In the context of existing-building inefficiency as a major contributor to carbon emissions and climate
change, students were assigned an existing building, and were required to demonstrate that passive and
active modifications of the building and its envelope could lead to an 80% reduction of its baseline energy
use. Within this context, students were asked to (a) selectively modify or replace existing envelope
conditions to create a responsive deep-boundary; (b) establish a dialogue between energy-modeling tools
and conceptual development; (c) incorporate a Net-Positive contribution beyond energy production; and
(d) understand variables that develop concinnity between form, occupancy and function, and
environmental factors.
These goals were established within a cooperative pedagogy, Shifting Allegiances, organized to promote
cooperative collaboration and shared authorship of projects in graduate-level studios. This is achieved by
collectivizing the ownership of topical subject areas, to which students variously direct their effort over
the course of the studio.
The paper discusses the studio’s cooperative structures, the process of establishing an ongoing dialogic
between quantitative data and conceptual development, the role of energy modeling within the design
process, and the emerging definition of passive and active envelope systems. The paper concludes with a
discussion of the studio’s discussion-based, student-led final review.
Description
13 pages