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Community Center built to Passive House standards in Vorarlberg, Austria. Image courtesy PassivHaus Institut.

Not to be confused with designs that focus only on passive solar or passive heating or cooling-based strategies,

“A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply. The result is an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides a uniquely terrific indoor air quality.” (from the PHIUS website)

The Passive House standard stems from visits to the U.S. Midwest made by German scientists in the early 1980’s who toured off-the-grid super-insulated homes. They went back impressed, kept developing the ideas, and made them boxy.

Hey, boxy is good, right? Think Volvo.

_A Passive House retrofit home. Image courtesy Passivhaus Institut.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., we elected Ronald Reagan, and that crazy energy-independence ‘fad’ simply went away. Or did it…?

Now Passive Houses are back, much more sophisticated (in terms of design) and very livable, and Hampton Avery Architects are looking for a few good clients.