Energy consumption in buildings can be minimized through adoption of passive design form and thermal performance of buildings elements (including architectural, structural, envelope and passive mechanical). Through properly applied passive design principles, a building energy requirements we can be greatly reduced before considering the use of active mechanical systems and their associated fossil fuel-based energy consumption). With many passive strategies, there is a trade-off between heating performance and cooling performance. The building type and operation determine which strategies will have the best overall impact on energy performance. Such measures include: Passive Heating: Passive solar heating combines a well-insulated envelope with other elements that minimize energy losses and harness and store solar gains to offset the energy requirements of the supplemental mechanical heating and ventilation systems. Elements that contribute to passive solar heating include orientation, buidling shape, buffer spaces and double facades, space planning, etc. Passive ventilation: Passive ventilation strategies use naturally occurring air flow patterns around and in a building to introduce outdoor air into the space. Buildings can be designed to enhance natural air flows and take advantage of them. Elements that contribute to natural ventilation include operable windows, buidling shape, central atria and lobbies, wind towers, etc. Passive cooling: Passive cooling strategies prevent the building from overheating by blocking solar gains and removing internal heat gains (e.g. using cooler outdoor air for ventilation, storing excess heat in thermal mass). Elements that contribute to passive cooling include fixed/operable external shading, stacked windows, earth-tempering ducts, etc. Daylighting: Daylighting maximizes the use and distribution of natural diffused daylight throughout a building’s interior to reduce the need for artificial electric lighting. The features which contribute to a daylighting strategy include high ceilings paired with tall windows, interior surface colours and finishes, light shelves, etc.