Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture (JPDA) has completed the first Certified Passive House project in South Asia, proving that ultra-high-performance efficiency standards are achievable for buildings in any climate.
Star Innovation Center is a product development facility located near Colombo, Sri Lanka. Designed by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture (JPDA), it is intended to be a global model for the entire garment industry. The project sets a new standard for sustainability, energy efficiency and worker comfort.

The project is one of only two certified Passive House factory buildings in the world, and annual energy consumption will be cut by over 75% compared to a conventionally “efficient” modern industrial building.

By choosing to renovate an obsolete building to Passive House standards, the project dramatically reduces the waste, carbon emissions and fossil fuels typically required for demolition and new construction, and promotes the client’s commitment to maintain high standards in social, environmental, ethical and safety compliance.

The Star Innovation Center is a pioneer in applying Passive House technology to a tropical monsoon climate, which features steady warm temperatures year-round but extremely high relative humidity. The majority of existing high performance buildings have been located in cool, Northern European-style climates where heating is the primary consideration.

Careful design and engineering of the building systems and enclosure ensures that workers enjoy year-round comfort in a workspace that provides abundant natural light, low humidity, filtered fresh air, and maintains temperatures near a constant 24 °C (77 °F).

Thorough testing of the airtightness and remote monitoring of the ongoing energy usage provide quantitative confirmation of the building performance, achieving projected operational cost savings for the client and vastly upgraded workplace environmental standards for the employees.

From the outset the agenda was to assemble an integrated project team including local architects, engineers, fabricators and builders to encourage technology transfer and demonstrate the feasibility of high performance building in the region.

By promoting the project’s goals and inspiring the local building industry JPDA has sought to establish a clear path to both reducing global carbon emissions and putting an end to worker “sweatshop” conditions.

Charles Komar, CEO of Star parent company Komar Brands expounds:
 
“We are delighted with the comfort and performance of our Passive House building, and look forward to years of energy cost savings. Working with JPDA was a pleasure—Jordan and his team worked diligently to overcome challenges for the successful design and execution of the project.”
 
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Design team
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Jordan Parnass, Marijke Huelsmann, Kevin Hennessey, Yereem Park, Philip Weller, Elizabet Bereslavskaya
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Lead Architect and Interior Design
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Vinod Jayasinghe Associates (Pvt) Ltd (Sri Lanka)
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Certified Passive House Designer
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Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture
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Client
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Star Garment Group
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Collaborators
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Energy Consultants.- Steven Winter Associates. Mechanical Engineering.- Chandana Dalugoda Consultants. Structural Engineering.- Ajith Vandebona PE. Quantity Surveying.- Prasad Jasinghe, VFORM Consultants. MEP Engineering.- Kosala Kamburadeniya PE
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Venue
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1 Ring Road 2, Katunayake, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture (JPDA) is an award-winning multidisciplinary practice combining sustainable architecture, interiors, branding and experience design. We are the global leaders in Implementing Passive House across a range of building types. JPDA brings a passion and commitment to creating high performance buildings that cut energy usage, increase productivity and promote healthy living for our clients.

They offer a turnkey service from initial walk-throughs of potential sites, to feasibility studies, space planning, furniture and fixture design and construction administration. Because we understand how difficult the construction process can be, we provide efficient project management which helps clients minimize the build-out period and reduce costs.

Environmentally responsible choices are seamlessly integrated throughout each phase, including material and finish selection, building systems design, construction sequencing, and in-house LEED administration.  Every project is thoughtfully designed and managed to ensure the greatest return in beauty, efficiency, and comfort.

 
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