Integrating low energy and environmental design strategies in Ireland's first energy positive house: Ileeid house

This paper presents the design strategies, targets and first year monitoring results of ileeid house, Ireland's first energy positive house and one of Ireland's most ambitious ecological housing designs. Presenting a new sustainability paradigm the paper provides an overview of the passive / solar design strategy, local climate, location, site characteristics, passive architectural solutions, materials and construction methods, energy efficiency measures employed and alternative energy solutions used to achieve the net energy positive target. Energy analysis is provided and compared to monitoring of the first year of occupation showing the actual annual energy use and targets achieved. Implications, learning and challenges arising from the project for next generation sustainable housing and building design is discussed.