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Passive design is a system or structure that directly uses natural energy such as sunlight, wind, temperature differences or gravity to achieve a result without electricity or fuel. Active design is a system or structure that uses or produces electricity.The term passive design is most often used with respect to architecture and infrastructure. For example, a building may have wide windows that automatically let in more light when the building needs heat and automatically shade when the building is too hot. Another common area of passive design is wet infrastructure such as drainage systems that generally often don't consume power but use gravity to move water.Most devices and infrastructure have an active design as they use electricity. The term is typically only used in comparison to passive designs. For example, solar panels that produce electricity are often referred to as active solar as a comparison to using solar passively for heat or to grow plants.
Passive BenefitsPassive designs are often valued for their simplicity and aesthetic appeal. They also tend to have zero operational costs. As they often contain no moving parts, passive designs potentially last for centuries.Electrical components are valued for their accuracy and functionality but may need to be regularly maintained and replaced. They may also have a higher operational cost and environmental impact.|
| Passive Design | Active Design | Definition | Infrastructure, architecture and devices that achieve a result by directly using natural forces without first converting it to electricity. | Infrastructure, architecture and devices that use or produce electricity to achieve a result. | Examples | | |
Cities
This is the complete list of articles we have written about cities.
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An overview of architecture with examples.
A list of common architectural technologies.
An overview of night architecture.
The difference between active and passive design.
A definition of universal design with examples.
The common types of passive lighting.
The common types of architectural acoustics.
An overview of parti pris in architecture with an example.
A definition of genius loci with examples.
An overview of massing in architecture.
A definition of compressive strength.
A few common urban design terms.
The difference between a green wall and green facade.
A list of sustainable urban design techniques.
How a street canyon changes an urban environment.
A list of common city issues.
A list of common community problems.
An a-z list of things in cities.
An list of the common types of city.
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