The living room structure soars to two stories, with banks of glass louvers at the upper level providing cross ventilation.

The LV can be opened to the elements when the weather cooperates, allowing for generous cross-ventilation.

Showing Off In a nod to what they describe as “constructive truth,” the couple made the decision not to hide the technical elements that contribute to the home’s green attributes. And by displaying all the sustainable features in the walls, it’s “easier for our clients to understand the system when they visit the house,” says Witzmann. They incorporated the Genvex ventilation system’s double-flow ducts into the home’s interior, exposing them at various points as they run through the house. In addition to looking pretty, they distribute clement fresh air; temperatures hover around 66 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 71 degrees in the summer, never going higher than 78. And yes, Karanesheva assures, “you can open the windows of a Passive House.” genvex.co.uk

"An integrated @mieleusa ventilation hood with flush-mounted glam lighting, hot off the press."

Batten screens of spotted gum wood sheath the house and allow ventilation into the outdoor storage area.

Keep the Heat “We installed our first one some years ago,” says Archer of heat-recovery ventilation systems, “and it was an enormous box the size of a small shower room. Nowadays, you can get a mechanism that is only slightly bigger than a toaster and is very cost-effective.” Here, Archer installed a rooftop heat-exchanger mechanism by Vent-Axia that transforms heat from the stale air being drawn out of the house into fresh air, which is then distributed inside.

Unlike the original shotguns, which featured cramped, interconnected rooms, Zamore opened up the space as much as possible. Large barn doors slide open on either side to increase ventilation.

The house has no mechanical ventilation, only Hunter ceiling fans and opposing awning windows.

The living room utilizes Eames lounges and a B&B Italia sofa to create a spare but comfortable environment. Sliding glass doors provide ample ventilation.

Stacked Baltic birch plywood strips encase the master bathroom, with gaps providing ventilation.

Here's another slide that describes the work of the Baudgeer or wind scoop in a passive ventilation system.

To create a low-energy house, several passive environmental strategies have been incorporated into the home, including a heated floor system and exterior automated wood blinds. "Natural air ventilation in every room and cross-ventilation between opposite facades keeps the need for air conditioning to a minimum,

In this temperate, oceanside climate, the house relies on natural ventilation, with numerous operable windows.

Facundo is working on an update to the cabin that mirrors the doors at the back window to allow for cross-ventilation.

A series of horizontal window panes on the rear facade serves as vanes for ventilation and adds a craftsmanlike design come nightfall, when the house is lit up by the flicker of candlelight and gas lamps.

The shallow plan helps with cross ventilation, while a deep overhang to the north provides shade for the living areas in the summer.

The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open the home directly to the adjacent courtyard, while also providing excellent natural ventilation throughout.

Large openings on both side of the living spaces facilitate natural ventilation. The home creates the sense of being outdoors while providing shelter from the elements.

The master bedroom living area is separated from the bedroom by a glass-enclosed, plant-filled courtyard that also provides ventilation to the bathroom and wardrobe.

The winding stairwell runs from the ground-floor offices all the way to the top of the house, creating an airshaft for natural ventilation and passive cooling.

“I consider light to actually be one of the materials here,” says Losada-Amor. Skylights (including one in the shower) offer ventilation as well as light.

We designed this kitchen like a single piece of teak cabinetry. Lighting and ventilation are recessed into the angled ceiling plane; deep storage is located over the entrance.

With an eye to making the home eco-friendly, both structures were built of prefabricated cross-laminated timber, while large openings, like the sliders in the kitchen, promote cross-ventilation.

Louvered windows in the kitchen and bathroom provide natural ventilation. The floor and countertop have a natural, organic texture to them that ensures the space feels homey and modern rather than cold and clinical.

The window in the kitchen that overlooks the garden is intentionally free of any structure, with the small ventilation openings discretely located to the side. This ensures the view is uninterrupted and the woodlands become part of the interior.

For cross ventilation, the residents can open and close the large sliding doors around the porch, which the architect describes as “the heart of the home.” Likewise, windows are positioned to provide breezes when necessary.

The original wood columns and beams create a more open feel and flood the spaces with natural light. "The kitchen looks out over the courtyard, which acts as a light well and provides ventilation,

To minimize the home's energy footprint, the floor and foundation are made from cast concrete. Large openings allow for natural ventilation, while surrounding trees help create a cool microclimate. The house is powered by geothermal energy.

Regina and Andy Rihn open the sliding doors in the main living space when they need more ventilation, while the two dogs prefer to use their custom door to get a little fresh air.

If they can’t leave a used bookstore without copping at least three paperbacks at $1 apiece, we’ve got a gift for them.

Set on an east-west axis, the home stays cool with shading south-facing glass, minimal west-facing glass, and operable windows that allow for natural ventilation. Energy recovery ventilators also bring fresh air into the home.

A perpendicular wing houses the garage. The house has no air conditioning, relying on lake breezes and cross-ventilation for cooling. Each bedroom has a screened door that opens to the deck and an adjustable transom above the hallway door to encourage the circulation of air.

Brothers Nima and Soheil relax in the family room on an Eames lounge chair and a custom sofa they designed. “Mid-century architecture draws the outdoor environment indoors,” says Soheil. “There’s a lot of natural light, a lot of ventilation.”

The living and dining room look out to the central courtyard, promoting indoor/outdoor living. Here, five doors slide into a pocket in the wall to create a nearly 23-foot-wide opening on one side looking into the garden. Another set on the opposite side enhances cross ventilation.

Opposite the optical glass facade, the slant of the northern facade is the result of Tokyo urban planning requirements. A constant gradient diagonal line restriction dictated that the home’s mass recede diagonally away from the northern property line, to ensure adequate light and ventilation for the neighboring property—a policy not uncommon in lower-density residential areas of Tokyo.