Denver Passive House Conference 2023

Earlier this month, while searching for Continuing Education credits for my architectural license, I discovered an incredible resource: the annual Passive House Network conference taking place in Denver! It appeared that I could acquire approximately 24 credits from this conference. However, the moment I entered the conference exhibition hall, I realized I had discovered an exceptional resource.

What is Passive House

Passive House is an innovative and rigorous building design and construction standard that creates highly energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable buildings. It focuses on reducing energy consumption through principles such as superb insulation, airtight construction, high-quality ventilation, high-performance windows and doors, passive solar design, and energy-efficient appliances. This standard significantly cuts heating and cooling energy needs, aiming for up to a 90% reduction compared to conventional buildings while ensuring a comfortable and eco-friendly indoor environment.

Key characteristics of a Passive House include:

1. Superb Insulation: High levels of insulation to minimize heat loss or gain, ensuring a stable and comfortable indoor temperature.
2. Airtight Construction: Buildings are constructed to be nearly airtight, reducing uncontrolled air leakage, which helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
3. High-Quality Ventilation: Mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery ensure constant fresh air and recapture heat that would otherwise be lost.
4. High-Performance Windows and Doors: Installation of triple-glazed windows and insulated doors to minimize heat transfer.
5. Passive Solar Design: Strategic orientation of the building and the use of solar gain to maximize natural light and heat.
6. Energy-Efficient Appliances: Use of energy-efficient appliances and lighting fixtures to minimize overall energy consumption.

The Passive House standard aims to significantly reduce the building's energy demand, typically cutting heating and cooling energy needs by up to 90% compared to conventional buildings. It emphasizes a comfortable indoor environment, excellent air quality, and consistent temperatures, all while drastically reducing the building's ecological footprint.

Certification under the Passive House standard involves rigorous testing and verification to ensure that a building meets the stringent criteria set by the Passive House Institute. While initially developed for residential buildings, the principles of Passive House have been applied to various building types, including schools, offices, and even skyscrapers, demonstrating its adaptability across different construction projects.

Since finding this conference I've been swimming in the amount of building science resources out there. But of course the next first step for me is to get certified. If you're interested in learning more about passive house here are some of my favorite links & podcasts to dive into:

The Passive House Accelerator

The Passive House Accelerator was a platform and community that aimed to advance the adoption and implementation of passive house principles. It served as an online hub, offering resources, articles, webinars, and events focused on promoting and supporting the Passive House standard. The Accelerator facilitated knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among professionals, policymakers, and enthusiasts in the construction and building industry to encourage the widespread adoption of energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable building practices.

Colorado Green Building Guild

The Colorado Green Building Guild promotes eco-friendly building in the construction industry. It's a hub for pros like architects, builders, and designers, offering education and resources. The guild champions green building standards, shares construction know-how, and builds a community that cares about eco-responsible projects in Colorado.

Building Science Podcast

The Building Science Podcast is an audio series about architecture, construction, and energy-efficient design. Hosted by experts, it covers topics like building physics, sustainable construction, and indoor air quality. The podcast educates professionals in the industry with interviews, case studies, and discussions on creating durable and eco-friendly buildings.

B.Public Prefab

B.Public Prefab designs and creates prefabricated, sustainable buildings. They specialize in modular construction, aiming for eco-friendly and efficient structures. The company offers innovative and customizable solutions for various architectural needs, promoting sustainability and speed in construction.