Hamilton at Eagleview打造可持續建築標杆，Passive House樹立行業典範

位於賓州切斯特郡的Hamilton at Eagleview社區近日啟用了一棟具有開創意義的建築—— Passive House 。這是一座被動式建築公寓，結合尖端節能技術與可再生能源，致力於實現零碳排放。作為該地區的首例，此建築將成為推動綠色建築標準的里程碑式項目。

綠牆與太陽能展現可持續理念

The Hamilton at Eagleview community in Chester County, Pennsylvania, recently opened a groundbreaking building, the Passive House. This is a Passive Building apartment that combines cutting-edge energy-saving technology with renewable energy and is committed to achieving zero carbon emissions. As the first of its kind in the region, the building will be a landmark project in advancing green building standards.

Green walls and solar energy demonstrate sustainable concepts

一進入Passive House，映入眼簾的是一面自動灌溉的綠植牆，這面超過8英尺見方的牆壁不僅美化了大堂環境，也象徵了建築的可持續理念。然而，更為重要的，是建築屋頂和停車場頂棚上安裝的大量太陽能板。這些系統預計可生成足夠的清潔能源，完全抵消公寓所有租戶的電費，實現能源自給自足。

高效節能設計引領行業未來

Passive House採用了國際領先的被動式建築技術，其核心在於氣密性設計、優質的隔熱材料以及高效的空氣循環系統。這些技術不僅能將建築的能耗降至最低，還提供了卓越的室內環境品質，包括持續清新的空氣、穩定的室內溫度以及更高的隔音效果。

As soon as you enter Passive House, you will be greeted by an automatically irrigated green wall. This wall of more than 8 feet square not only beautifies the lobby environment, but also symbolizes the sustainable concept of the building. Even more important, however, are the large number of solar panels installed on building roofs and parking lot ceilings. The systems are expected to generate enough clean energy to fully offset the electricity bills of all tenants in the apartment, making it energy self-sufficient.

Efficient and energy-saving design leads the future of the industry

該建築有望成為賓州首個經Phius（美國被動建築認證機構）認證的零碳排放多戶型住宅。Phius聯合執行長Lisa White指出：「這不僅是一種環保選擇，更是住戶生活質量的全面提升。它代表了建築行業的未來方向。」

從挑戰到創新：實現市場化運作

Passive House由Exton的Hankin Group開發，並未依賴任何政府補貼，而是完全以市場化方式實現了高效能建築的目標。Hankin Group總裁兼執行長Bob Hankin表示：「我們相信被動建築是一個成功的商業模式。我們希望未來能在更多社區推廣這樣的項目。」

Passive House adopts the world's leading passive building technology, the core of which lies in air-tight design, high-quality insulation materials and efficient air circulation system. These technologies not only minimize a building's energy consumption, but also provide superior indoor environmental quality, including consistently fresh air, stable indoor temperatures, and improved sound insulation.

The building is expected to be Pennsylvania's first Phius-certified zero-carbon multifamily residence. Phius co-CEO Lisa White said: "This is not only an environmentally friendly choice, but also an overall improvement in the quality of life of residents. It represents the future direction of the construction industry."

From challenge to innovation: realizing market-oriented operation

Developed by Exton’s Hankin Group, Passive House does not rely on any government subsidies, but achieves the goal of high-efficiency buildings in a completely market-based approach. Bob Hankin, president and CEO of Hankin Group, said: "We believe passive building is a successful business model. We hope to promote projects like this in more communities in the future."

相比於許多依賴補貼的綠建築，Passive House展示了一種以市場需求為導向的創新模式。這棟建築不僅符合當地政府推動可再生能源的政策，也為市場化的高效能建築樹立了標杆。

節能設施與創新細節

Passive House內部融合了多項創新設計，包括由回收稻殼製成的外牆材料、太陽能供電的電動車充電站、以及四倍於傳統電熱水器能效的熱泵熱水系統。此外，住戶廚房配備了高效的感應爐灶，能以更低的能耗提供更快的烹飪體驗。考慮到設備需求，Hankin Group甚至為住戶提供適配的鍋具套裝，彰顯對細節的用心。

公寓一房單位租金為每月2,273美元起，兩房單位2,999美元起，三房單位則為4,120美元起。雖然租金高於普通住宅，但該建築所提供的節能和舒適體驗，讓租戶普遍表示「物有所值」。

可持續建築的未來

被動式建築技術不僅改善了能源效率，還對環境和住戶健康產生了積極影響。這類建築的氣密性和高性能窗戶可顯著提升室內空氣質量，減少過敏原和污染物，同時在停電期間仍能保持宜居的室內溫度。此外，這樣的結構設計還能有效隔絕外界噪音，甚至防止鄰居間的氣味滲透問題。

Compared with many green buildings that rely on subsidies, Passive House demonstrates an innovative model driven by market demand. This building not only complies with the local government’s policy to promote renewable energy, but also sets a benchmark for market-oriented high-efficiency buildings.

Energy-saving features and innovative details

Passive House incorporates a number of innovative designs inside, including exterior wall materials made from recycled rice husks, solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations, and a heat pump hot water system that is four times more energy efficient than traditional electric water heaters. In addition, residents’ kitchens are equipped with efficient induction cooktops that provide a faster cooking experience with lower energy consumption. Taking into account equipment needs, Hankin Group even provides residents with matching pot sets, demonstrating their attention to detail.

Apartment rents start at $2,273 per month for one-bedroom units, $2,999 for two-bedroom units, and $4,120 for three-bedroom units. Although the rent is higher than that of ordinary residential buildings, the energy saving and comfortable experience provided by the building make tenants generally feel that it is "good value for money".

White進一步強調：「無論是否關注碳排放，絕大多數人都會在意舒適性和健康。被動建築提供的不僅僅是節能，而是全面升級的居住品質。」

地方政府的支持與推動

Passive House的誕生離不開當地政府的倡議。2019年，Uwchlan Township的監事會通過了一項向清潔能源過渡的決議，並加入Sierra Club的「Ready for 100」計畫，承諾向100%可再生能源邁進。Hankin Group作為當地主要開發商之一，應邀提交了更具可持續性的公寓設計方案，從而誕生了Passive House。

The future of sustainable construction

Passive building techniques not only improve energy efficiency but also have a positive impact on the environment and occupant health. The airtightness and high-performance windows of such buildings can significantly improve indoor air quality, reducing allergens and pollutants while maintaining livable indoor temperatures during power outages. In addition, such a structural design can effectively isolate external noise and even prevent odor penetration between neighbors.

White further emphasized: "Whether they are concerned about carbon emissions or not, the vast majority of people care about comfort and health. Passive buildings provide not only energy savings, but a comprehensive upgrade of living quality."

Local government support and promotion

The birth of Passive House is inseparable from the initiative of the local government. In 2019, Uwchlan Township’s Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to transition to clean energy and join the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” program, committing to move toward 100% renewable energy. Hankin Group, one of the major local developers, was invited to submit a more sustainable apartment design, and Passive House was born.

Uwchlan的建築與規劃官Tara Giordano表示：「我們希望這個項目能激勵更多開發商在未來採用更可持續的建築技術。」

綠建築的挑戰與機遇

作為被動建築認證的指導合作方，MaGrann Associates的可持續發展總監Jon Jensen表示：「被動建築需要更多的時間和計畫，但成功的項目將顯示其長期價值。」他補充道：「這不僅是一個技術挑戰，也是提升建築行業整體水平的機會。」

“We hope this project will inspire more developers to adopt more sustainable building techniques in the future,” said Tara Giordano, Uwchlan’s architecture and planning officer.

Green building challenges and opportunities

Jon Jensen, Director of Sustainability at MaGrann Associates, a steering partner for Passive Building certification, said: “Passive building requires more time and planning, but successful projects will show its long-term value.” He added: “This is not only a technical challenge, but also an opportunity to improve the overall level of the construction industry.”

Hankin Group的Passive House已經成為當地綠建築的標杆，並為市場化的被動建築樹立了全新典範。

邁向可持續未來

Hankin Group's Passive House has become a benchmark for local green buildings and has set a new paradigm for market-oriented passive buildings.

Towards a sustainable future

隨著被動建築的普及以及更多政府和企業對可持續性的重視，像Passive House這樣的高效能建築或將成為未來標準。正如Hankin所說：「這不僅是建築行業的一次技術革新，更是應對氣候變化的重要一步。我們相信，這就是未來的方向。」

As passive buildings become more popular and more governments and businesses focus on sustainability, energy-efficient buildings like Passive House may become the future standard. As Hankin said: "This is not only a technological innovation in the construction industry, but also an important step in combating climate change. We believe this is the direction of the future."