Podcasts about passivhaus

In this episode of the Passive House Accelerator Podcast, Ilka Cassidy chats with Marty Josten and Ashley Wisse of New Ecology. Marty and Ashley describe the nonprofit's 26-year mission to preserve and improve affordable housing through sustainability, building performance, health, and resiliency, using a hybrid fee-for-service and grant-funded model. They discuss evolving embodied-carbon requirements, regional market differences, misconceptions about Passive House cost, and innovations like drain water heat recovery, as well as engaging lenders and maintaining focus amid political and funding pressures.https://www.newecology.org/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

Bill Butcher and Chris Herring, founders of 21 Degrees, share details of their own group build, a small terrace of three homes in Marsden, West Yorkshire, designed and built to Passivhaus Plus standard. Check out the show notes for more information.

In this episode of the Passive House Accelerator podcast, Ilka Cassidy interviews Nathan Kipnis, founder of Kipnis Architecture and Planning in Chicago and Boulder, about his path from early solar architecture influences during the 1973 oil embargo to today's fact-based, certifiable Passive House practice. Kipnis explains how early rule-of-thumb passive solar design often led to overheating, and how building science and climate-specific approaches improved outcomes.  And describes his firm's “high design and low carbon” approach, evolving client communication from quietly implementing efficiency measures to showcasing performance and resilience through smart home monitoring, batteries, and high-quality envelopes.KAP websiteNHA websiteProject profile for Evanston's first Passive House in PHIUS' databaseCrain's Chicago Business Notable Leader in Sustainability 2025 recognitionThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Michael Ingui and Ilka Cassidy to share their interview with Dr. Wolfgang Feist from the 35th International Passive House Conference in Essen and discuss where Passive House is headed. Dr. Wolfgang Feist emphasizes focusing on documented, evaluated projects, the importance of integrated component systems. Looking back, he credits early collaboration with Swedish researchers and the push to build real demonstration projects, and he reiterates that the five principles remain unchanged because “physics is right.” Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Ilka Cassidy and Michael Ingui, are at the International Passive House Conference in Essen and share rapid-fire interviews focused on scaling Passive House. With questions based on Michael's presentation at the conference focusing on moving Passive House from niche to necessary by reframing it as risk mitigation and engaging adjacent sectors like insurance, real estate, finance, and policy. Interviewees describe scaling through large-volume delivery, education,  supportive codes and incentives, and manufacturer-led training.With interviews from:Tomas O'LearyAnn-Marie FallonKen LevensonAlexander Gard-MurrayIn ChoFrancesco NesiGünther JedliczkeEsra AydinogluThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Matthew Cutler - Welsh interviews Elizabeth and Everett Norris from their newly completed Christchurch home. They describe their Port Hills site on Huntsbury Hill, bought after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, and discuss the area's microclimate and west–northwest-oriented design. They share challenges including long build times, working largely solo, living on site after a robbery,  and more. They detail the key lessons on early builder input, avoiding rushed window orders, daylight implications of eaves, and airtightness detailing.https://www.designmake.co.nz/people.htmlhttps://www.everhomes.co.nz/blank-1About their amazing straw bale Passive House in Christchurch: https://sustainableengineering.co.nz/casestudy/norris-strawbale-passive-house/

We are joined by Ian Pritchett of Greencore Homes to talk about his science-based approach to green building and the work that has led him from developing green building materials becoming the co-founder of a vertically-integrated developer and house builder.There's a lot of history and legacy to cover because Ian has been in the green building game for decades and it's this that has informed the approach being taken right now.Greencore is also challenging the Passive House Institute about the accuracy of its PHPP (passive house planning package) modelling software because their homes outperform the model's predictions because of their use of phase-change materials.Be warned, this is nerd business—Jeff gets to interrogate the build up specification—but it doesn't get too technical to be able to follow the thread.Notes from the showThe Greencore Homes website Ian Pritchett on LinkedIn A PH+ article about Neil May**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**   

“Legally, you can still build a house with no membrane.”That line from Villy Yordanov, Pro Clima's Innovation Engineer, sets the tone for this conversation about what is technically allowed versus what actually leads to durable, healthy homes. We unpack the gap between building compliance in Australia and real-world building performance, particularly in weatherproofing, moisture management, and the building envelope.A big focus is the NCC 2025 changes and how some cladding types can bypass performance solutions. On paper, that can look like simpler compliance. On site, it can create risk if builders assume “compliant” automatically means “safe” or “long-lasting”. We talk about why National Construction Code updates matter for builders, and how small decisions in wall systems can lead to big problems later like leaks, mould, and expensive rectification work.We also break down what membranes actually do in modern construction. They are not just there to “stop condensation”. They are part of a complete building envelope system that helps control water, air, and vapour. Alongside correct detailing, taping, penetrations, ventilation, and airtightness, membranes support durability, moisture safety, and better indoor comfort. If you are interested in building science, high-performance homes, or Passivhaus and Passive House principles, this episode connects the dots in plain language.Finally, we look at why warm climates are not a free pass. Tropical building in Australia brings extra humidity and a higher moisture risk, which makes good detailing even more important. The takeaway is simple. Builders who keep learning, understand systems, and treat weatherproofing as a whole-of-wall approach will build better homes and avoid costly failures. If you want practical insight into NCC compliance, membranes, airtight construction, and moisture control in the Australian construction industry, this one is worth a listen.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Jay Fox interviews Vermont filmmaker Allie Rood about her documentary Prickly Mountain and My Design Build Life, which traces the design-build architecture movement that began in Warren, Vermont around 1963 and influenced design-build programs nationwide. Rood explains her personal connection through her father's work in the community, the movement's roots among Yale architects reacting against the designer/builder class divide, and ideas like Dave Sellers' “Wild Beam Theory” of improvisational building. She contrasts early sculptural ski houses with a later sustainability-focused generation behind the Dimetrodon co-housing project and discusses Yestermorrow's emergence as a design-build school. Rud also recounts the film's 10-year production, funding and grant challenges, finding an editor, shifting to a personal narrative, and current festival distribution and screening plans.https://allieroodfilms.com/Trailer for the film: https://vimeo.com/1125499443?fl=pl&fe=sh Reimagine Buildings: Designing for Survivability: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-survivability/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

Primavera, a new film about Vivaldi tells the story of his composing for pupils of an institution for abandoned girls. We speak to the film's director Damiano Michieletto, better known as an award-winning opera director, about his film and about Vivaldi himself. The Music is Black is the inaugural exhibition at London's new V&A East Museum and it celebrates 125 years of Black British music. Lead curator Jacqueline Springer joins us to discuss the show and wealth of music it showcases, from the early days of jazz via calypso, reggae, two-tone, pop and grime. Ben Lerner, the Pulitzer-nominated author of Leaving the Atocha Station and The Topeka School, discusses his latest novel Transcription; an exploration of loss, technology and “fiction”. The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities in Oxford officially opens its doors next weekend. It combines seven academic faculties with performance spaces including the world's first ‘Passivhaus' concert hall, certifying its sustainability.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James chats with Nidhi Shah, a certified Passive House designer and member of the Reimagine Buildings Collective. Shah traces her path from early sustainability interests in India to Passive House training in the UK. They dive into her retrofit-focused work with Retrofit Action for Tomorrow (RAFT), emphasizing whole-building approaches over piecemeal measures like external wall insulation or heat pumps. Nidhi  describes how funding criteria centered on operational carbon shaped retrofit decisions for cash-strapped public-sector buildings, and why reducing demand and peak heating loads matters alongside electrification and comfort. https://www.retrofitaction.org.uk/s/RAFT-Whole-Life-Carbon-ReportReimagine Buildings: Designing for Survivability: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-survivability/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

We take a look at the state of the green building sector through the lens of itss biggest dedicated show in the UK, Futurebuild. It on 12–14 May this year and you can sign up here.Helping us to peek behind the curtain is the event's director, Martin Hurn, a man who is, ultimately, responsible for it all.It seemed with a conversation because this year Futurebuild was acquired by a new owner and repackaged to become a super event. The green building great big networking event has merged with UK Construction Week and the Stone and Surfaces Show. In light of this we get into the history of Futurebuild that sheds a little light on how the impact of changes that it's going through right now are a little more like a return to its roots.The episode has a bit of a long wind up because we've included a chunk of preamble in which Jeff explains his background to Martin which wasn't intended for the episode but it ended up revealing similarities, and differences, in their backgrounds that felt worth including. Both Martin and Jeff have been in this working within the business of the built environment for about the same amount of time (early 00s), and both coming from publishing backgrounds. They've seen the heydays, boom times, and catastrophes created by the Celtic Tiger and the UK's solar subsidisation and feed-in tariffs. Consequently, the pair of them are able to offer a some illuminating and interesting perspectives on where they see the sector at this strange point in time.We also let Martin plug the show.And, at the end we do get around to asking ‘how sustainable are events?'Notes from the showRegister with Futurebuild 2026 for your event passThe Futurebuild website Martin Hurn on LinkedIn **SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**   

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Matthew Cutler-Welsh speaks with Andreas Goetz about building the Wunderbar Passive House in Orewa, about 40 minutes north of Auckland. Originally from Germany and motivated by comfort and health, Goetz pursued Passive House despite local challenges, choosing a simple rectangular ICF design with imported European triple-glazed windows and integrated exterior shutters to manage overheating without mechanical cooling. The home uses whole-house ventilation, achieved near 0.6 ACH50 airtightness, has low power bills, and added solar projected to pay back in four years, while also earning Homestar V5.https://wunderbar-passive-house.org/ Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Jacob Racusin are at the BuildingEnergy Boston 2026 Conference (Sponsored by New Energy Works).Ilka and Jacob recap day 2 of the conference including a keynote by Melissa O'Mara and Kevin Stack, “Unstoppable Inner Resilience and Generational Leadership,” which guided attendees through a meditation connecting to ancestors and future generations, highlighting accountability, leadership, and the “knowing-doing gap” via the Inner Development Goals. Ilka then interviews architect Phil Kaplan about a deep energy retrofit of a mid-century Acorn Deck House involving unexpected conditions, major structural changes, and questions about cost and embodied carbon versus rebuilding. The day's highlights also include sessions on tools and strategies to balance operational and embodied carbon, evaluate deep versus moderate retrofits, and push manufacturers toward healthier, lower-impact materials.Episode with Rachel White & Michael Hindle: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/building-energy-boston-with-rachel-white-michael-hindleMeditation that is similar to the one described in the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-time-academy/id1589516917Episode with Melissa O'Mara and Kevin Stack: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/180-inner-development-goals-idgs-and-buildings-with-kevin-stack-and-melissa-omara Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

What is social value? It's a messy, ill-defined beast that's increasingly a core component of public procurement, and it's something that we worked on recently so it's been front of our minds.We invited Michael McLaughlin (LHC Procurement Group) onto the show to talk through what he thinks about social value, and what he thinks it could be if the sector was able to organise itself better. No shade intended and we're not suggesting that it's easy to fix things, but we have looked into it. While there's a lot of great work being done there are an unconscionable number of opportunities being wasted, and not for want of trying.Notes from the showMichael McLaughlin on LinkedInThe LHC Procurement Group website LHC on LinkedIn **SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Jacob Racusin are at the BuildingEnergy Boston 2026 Conference (Sponsored by New Energy Works).Ilka and Jacob speak with:Gregory Smith, Architect at Moody NolanClay Tilton, Existing Buildings Program ManagerBuilt Environment Plus (BE+)Arlen Li, Fitwel Ambassador, Planning PrincipalHGAAnthony Michetti, Director of Sustainability, Cell Signaling TechnologyJulie Newman, PhDDirector of SustainabilityMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Steve Hessler Building Systems Specialist at New Energy Works | Certified Passive House Consultant at Holzraum SystemBryan Bleiere, Director of Offsite Construction at New Energy WorksLuke Winston-Almanzar CEO, Co-Founder ReservoirThey discuss the conference mood amid political and economic headwinds, the theme “Don't Stop Us Now,” and a keynote on “The Cost of Pausing” featuring MIT and Cell Signaling Technology, emphasizing business cases and co-benefits for maintaining climate goals. Conference co-chairs Clay Hilton and Greg Smith highlight curation, community-building, and student participation. Trade-floor interviews feature Reservoir's smart heat-pump water heater with predictive controls and recirculation, and New Energy Works' timber/panelization work and foam-free assemblies.https://nesea.org/conference/schedule/50140https://newenergyworks.com/https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/component-spotlight-rethinking-domestic-hot-water-intro...Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

“Sustainable design is not just lower energy bills. It is health, comfort, moisture safety, and long-term performance.”We sat down with Marcus Strang, Technical Lead in Passivhaus at HIP V. HYPE, to explore what sustainable building design really means in practice. With a PhD from the University of Queensland and deep expertise in building science, Marcus shares how Passive House design is helping shape healthier, more energy efficient buildings in Australia.We unpack how Passivhaus principles go far beyond energy efficiency. This conversation covers thermal comfort, indoor air quality, moisture safety, and why high-performance homes need to respond to Australia's diverse climate zones. Marcus explains how sustainable architecture is not about applying one formula everywhere, but about designing buildings that perform properly in their specific environment.A major focus of the episode is hygrothermal modelling and moisture movement in engineered timber buildings, including CLT construction. Marcus shares why condensation risk, mould prevention, and long-term durability are critical parts of sustainable construction, especially in hot and humid climates. If you care about building performance, timber construction, and low-energy design, this part of the conversation is especially valuable.We also talk about the bigger picture for the construction industry. How technical expertise, early design decisions, and better collaboration can help drive net zero carbon outcomes and more resilient buildings. If you are interested in Passive House Australia, sustainable design, building science, energy-efficient homes, and the future of high-performance construction, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Janna and Seb Laan Lomas explain the ethos behind their self build which blends low energy design and natural building while reducing plastics in the construction and also minimising waste. The level of detail, the decisions made and the careful use of the budget have been instrumental in delivering this fantastic project, which makes a great home for them as well as a site that encourages wildlife. Check out the show notes for more information.

This week on Radio Architecture Ilana's guest is DANIEL WOLKENBERG. Daniel founded Poly Studio in 2012 after gaining experience working in a variety of architectural practices including Studio Libeskind in Berlin and as an Associate at Lab Architecture. Having working on a wide range of projects from small exhibitions to large urban master plans his aspiration for Poly Studio was to work on smaller, local projects which embed best-practice in sustainability into contemporary design for both new builds and adaptive re-use of existing buildings. To this end, he has developed expertise in Passivhaus and high-performing construction practices that result in energy efficient, comfortable and healthy buildings. Daniel is driven by the capacity of architecture to structure the relationships between ‘things' – buildings, materials, spaces, functions, interior and exterior. Key architectural interests include housing, educational and cultural facilities, public space and strategic master planning. He has taught design studios at RMIT and Melbourne University.

Building science is at the core of high-performance construction, but it takes more than an understanding of psi-values and hygrothermal dynamics to actually get these buildings built. As we see in this episode, having a real-world understanding of materials science, finance, and how people actually work together is yet another component to this line of work. Granted, there's still a lot of building science involved, as emphasized by the clips featuring Ed May and Ben Bogie, but this episode of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast should be a reminder that construction touches loads of academic fields, and that the status of expert will forever be a moving target in an evolving industry.In this episode, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of conversations from the Reimagine Collective. Featured speakers include Ben Bogie, Jesse Hunt, Michael Ingui, Ed May, and Emily Mottram.The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com.

Lucy Lyons of Kestrix joins us this week to talk about their use of drones, infrared imaging, and AI to quicken the pace of retrofit surveying. Specifically, with regard to a case study detailing their work with Peabody housing association.Kestrix is a software company that works with landlords to assess their building stock in terms of which homes need help and whether the retrofit works that have been carried out are performing. They use their sophisticated broad-brush surveys and image analysis is is designed to help asset owners get the greatest value out of stretched budgets and capacity, investing time wisely and proving value for money.Notes from the showLucy Lyons on LinkedInKestrix on LinkedIn The Kestrix website The Kestrix & Peabody case study that we refer toNational Audit Office report of retrofit performance: Energy efficiency installations under ECONHMF award 'Best Warm Home Initiative' 2026New Study Suggests Using AI Made Doctors Less Skilled at Spotting Cancer**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Zack Semke chats with Nick Nigro of Leggat McCall about the Bunker Hill Housing Redevelopment in Charlestown, Boston, a phased replacement of 42 aging WWII-era public housing buildings into 2,699 mixed-income units. Nick explains how the team committed to Passive House from day one and is using a repeatable “kit of parts”—precast lateral-load-bearing cores, prefabricated load-bearing exterior panels, and CLT floor systems—to improve speed, reduce temporary work, and lower both carbon and cost through iteration across 15 buildings. He describes early modeling, enclosure mockup testing, and construction-sequencing innovations like using the permanent elevator as a hoist. https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/critical-mass-scaling-passive-house-at-bunker-hillhttps://www.lmp.com/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James chats with Kia Weatherspoon, founder of Determined by Design. Weatherspoon describes how experiences visiting her brother in prison and creating privacy during Air Force deployments shaped her belief that spaces must be felt, not just seen. She explains her mission-driven focus on affordable housing and a design process rooted in ancestry, legacy, and identity, translating community narratives into specific material and layout decisions. The discussion emphasizes bringing interiors into the integrated design team early, pushing for healthier materials amid cost and pricing-transparency challenges, and streamlining specifications to maintain budgets. The hosts reflect on how interior environments affect wellbeing and project outcomes.https://www.determinedbydesign.com/portfolio/station-u-o/https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/leading-with-humanity-passive-interior-design

Baz Iyer (Vulcan) and Stephen Lloyd (Savills Earth) join us to talk about the likely impact of the UK's long-awaited Future Homes Standard (FHS) and, perhaps more importantly, the Home Energy Model (HEM).HEM is the new model that will inform the UK's Energy Performance Certification (EPC) rating system. It's much more detailed in terms of the information that it demands about the buildings it is being used to rate, and therefore much more demanding of the assessors.But this means that it can be much more useful for modelling the energy performance of buildings because it will better reflect how the building will be experienced by its users.  It won't be perfect but the level of detail that it demands means that homeowners may be able to use EPCs to make meaningful decisions about how to improve the buildings in which they live. This also means that, in time, it is conceivable that HEM can become a design tool in the same way designers use PHPP to predict performance and calibrate design. That's certainly what Baz is planning and why he and Stephen have been interrogating the place HEM will occupy in the UK construction sector, the impact it might have on its culture, and the opportunity that its adoption will open up.If anyone needs some help getting to grips with this I'd recommend they connect with Baz, he's very friendly and well-informed.Notes from the showBaz Iyer on LinkedInStephen Lloyd on LinkedIn The Vulcan websiteThe Savills Earth websiteVulcan on LinkedInOld ZAP #1 - 'Incompetence still reigns supreme' in energy ratings: DPE certification, EPCs, BERs, and a little bit of ESGOld ZAP #2 - ZAP Shady business #1 – overheating, and Camden: we should think about solar gain all year round, with Zoe De Grussa (BBSA)**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Matthew Cutler interviews New Zealand building scientist and sustainability specialist Tavis Creswell-Wells of Ecolution about overheating risk, building performance, and lessons from working in the UK. Tavis describes his path from architecture to building science, early research with BRANZ on the Building Energy End Use Study, and later experience in London with large energy modeling and rating systems including BREEAM, WELL, and Part L. He argues New Zealand's H1 code overemphasizes insulation and lacks requirements to address overheating, while Part L includes lighting, hot water, mechanical systems, and checks at design and completion. The conversation covers glazing, shading, natural ventilation limitations, PHPP overheating constraints, and using TM59 for zoned overheating analysis, and previews the Reimagine Buildings Multifamily online conference.https://ecolutionsbs.com/ecolutionThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Jay Fox speaks with Tony Daniels and Caitlin Matusewicz of Cycle Architecture + Planning about their backgrounds in high-performance design and the firm's focus on scalable multifamily deep energy retrofits, resilience, and Passive House. The conversation covers why retrofits are harder than new construction and how Cycle aims to scale by starting with repeatable retrofit solutions. They discuss panelized overcladding and modular mechanical strategies, NYSERDA's role via incentives and innovation programs, and broader barriers such as contracting and insurance models that enforce siloing.https://www.c-ap.net/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

We sat down with Anna Moore, CEO of Domna Group, to talk about its approach to the business of retrofit, pragmatic retrofit strategy, and long-term asset management for landlords. All underpinned by a layer of data collation and machine learning.Domna is currently retrofitting around 10,000 homes per year through grant-funded and self-funded programmes, using an integrated asset management—strategy to: deliver impact and savings through a mix of strategy, support on funding, management of delivery, and quality assurance. Importantly, Anna knows her stuff and she is fun, too.Notes from the showAnna Moore on LinkedInDomna Group on LinkedIn The Domna website (sign up in the footer)**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast Jay Fox interviews Edie Dillman (co-founder and CEO of B.Public Prefab) and Karen Ramsey (founder and sustainability strategist at Building Wellness) about Fort Collins, Colorado's Design to 2030 pilot program. They describe B.Public's panelized, Passive House–standard prefab shell system launched in 2019 and Ramsey's consulting work supporting Passive House projects, including rebuild efforts after the Marshall Fire and work tied to the Los Angeles fire rebuild. The conversation centers on Fort Collins' plan to provide affordable, permit-ready, high-performance home plan sets tailored to local climate and code, with community outreach to determine needed housing types and builder training on panelization and key Passive House techniques.Sears Homes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears_Modern_Homeshttps://www.bpublicprefab.com/https://www.buildingwellnessllc.com/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, co-host Jay Fox interviews Heather McKinstry and Shefali Sanghvi of Dattner Architects about their work focusing on Passive House projects, primarily affordable housing in New York City. The discussion delves into Dattner Architects' commitment to civic work, including multifamily housing, transportation, and healthcare projects. They emphasize the benefits of Passive House standards in dense urban environments, particularly in improving indoor air quality and reducing energy consumption. The conversation also touches on overcoming misconceptions about costs, the importance of third-party certification, and the educational needs of both clients and residents. The episode concludes with recommendations for developers interested in pursuing affordable Passive House projects, including tapping into state and local resources and ensuring expertise within the project team.https://www.dattner.com/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

We're back! And we're talking about the value of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) with Tom Robins and Leigh Fairbrother of Switchee.Their business is POE for landlords that's intended to improve the quality of life for the residents that they rely on. Capturing sensor data, analysing it, and synthesising that into something their clients can use.Essentially, this means validating the quality of fabric, the impact of retrofit works, and anticipating car crashes—metaphorical ones.We get a really helpful explanation of Awaab's Law around 25–30 minutes in, too. (Thank you Leigh.)Notes from the showTom Robins on LinkedInLeigh Fairbrother on LinkedIn The Switchee website (sign up in the footer)Switchee on LinkedInPH+ coverage of that early work in Thamesmead (the Clockwork Orange estate) **SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke discusses bio-based materials and high-performance buildings with Lindsey Love from Regenerative Building Solutions. They highlight the importance of early phase energy and embodied carbon modeling, integrating natural materials in construction, and the benefits of such materials for building resilience and occupant health. They also discuss the AIA 2030 Commitment and the Materials Pledge, emphasizing strategies for small firms to implement high-impact, sustainable building practices. Regenerative Building Solutions: https://www.regenbuilding.com/Link to the AIA 2030 Commitment: https://www.aia.org/design-excellence/climate-action/zero-carbon/2030-commitmentNature-based Performance Lab's Fall insight brief: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/retrofit-labs-insight-briefs-now-availableThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

There's a lot of building science that goes into making passive buildings extremely durable, efficient, comfortable, and healthy. However, one of the things that often gets overlooked when trying to explain the benefits of Passive House is the experience of actually being in one. There is a certain ineffability associated with the experience that defies easy translation into facts and figures, and this can be especially tricky to communicate to clients who are not already enthusiastic about Passive House. However, as revealed throughout episode fourteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, finding ways to frame Passive House as being quieter, healthier, more comfortable, more resilient, and just…better is key to getting them on board.In this episode, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of conversations from the Reimagine Collective. Featured speakers include Craig Stevenson, Lindsay Schack, Matt Brill, Graham Irwin, and Michael Ingui.The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Kristof Irwin discuss with Helena van Vliet the concept of biophilic design and its impact on human wellbeing. Helena explains how designing environments that reconnect humans with nature can optimize physiological energy and reduce stress and inflammation. The conversation delves into practical applications of biophilic design in urban environments, exploring how elements like dynamic sunlight, water features, and vegetation can improve health and connect people with natural surroundings. The episode also touches on the challenges of integrating these concepts with traditional architectural practices focused on energy efficiency and durability.Helena van Vliet Dipl.-Ing. AIA is an internationally recognized expert in Biophilic Design. She is a registered Architect, Consultant, Researcher, Educator, and Speaker focusing on the direct connections between human and bio-habitat resilience in built environments. In her designs, consulting work and teaching, she integrates insights from her 40 years of practice, as well as data from her ongoing research in evolutionary biology, cognitive neuroscience, biopsychology, and chronobiology.https://www.helenavanvliet.com/https://www.biophilly.org/https://www.biophiliccities.org/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast Mary James and Jay Fox chat with Carmel Pratt, the new executive director of New York Passive House. They explore Carmel's background in architecture and sustainability, her role at New York Passive House, and her approach to sustainability consulting. Carmel shares the rich history and milestones of New York Passive House, including notable policies, educational initiatives, and collaborations with key organizations like NYSERDA and the International Passive House Association. The discussion also delves into the organization's goals for 2026, emphasizing workforce development, economic feasibility, and expanding beyond their traditional bubble. Carmel also highlights significant Passive House projects in New York and discusses her own consulting business, ZAZNRG, focusing on building operation and public education.https://www.nypassivehouse.org/https://zaznrg.com/

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, co-host Mary James discuss Passive House practices with James Petersen, founder of Petersen Engineering. The episode focuses on domestic hot water systems and their electrification, particularly in the context of Passive House standards. Petersen explains the challenges with current technologies, options for heat recovery, and the impact of location-specific energy costs. The conversation covers specific techniques such as solar thermal, drain water heat recovery, and the importance of accurate data for system sizing. Despite the cost challenges, clients are moving towards electrification due to regulations and environmental motivations. https://www.petersenengineering.com/Join James on January 14th 2026: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/101-domestic-hot-water-multifamily?date=2026-01-14James Petersen, PE, is Owner and Principal of Petersen Engineering, an 18-person MEP/FP firm, with over four decades of experience designing integrated building mechanical systems. He brings a holistic approach that combines MEP design, building science, and enclosure coordination, and has served as principal-in-charge on more than 70 large Passive House projects. James currently volunteers as President of Passive House Mass and serves on the HCA Portsmouth Hospital Board of Directors.Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Jay Fox interviews Maggie Ullman, a Councilwoman from Asheville, North Carolina. Maggie shares her multifaceted background as a climate advocate, former sustainability director, and leader of a nonprofit network focused on sustainability in the Southeast. She delves into her experience running for office, the impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville, and the city's recovery efforts. Maggie emphasizes the importance of building coalitions, understanding local government roles, and adaptable strategies for sustainability. She also discusses the challenges and successes in disaster recovery, highlighting the community's unity and advocacy at the federal level.Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, co-hosts Jay Fox and Ilka Cassidy interview Ben Bogie, a third-generation high-performance builder and Director of Outreach and Education at BPC Green Builders. Ben discusses the foundational lessons learned from his family's history in building super-insulated, airtight, thermally broken structures since the 1970s. He shares insights into the evolution of high-performance building methods, the importance of incorporating sound building science techniques, and the challenges of the modern construction industry. Ben also highlights his role in educating builders on high-performance practices through venues like the International Builders Show and expresses concerns about the rapid push towards electrification without comprehensive planning. The conversation covers topics such as the benefits of measuring real-world building performance, changes in insulation materials, the importance of site water management, and the potential impact of AI on the construction industry.https://www.bpcgreenbuilders.com/ Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In episode fourteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of conversations from the Reimagine Collective. Featured speakers in this episode include Beth Campbell, Ryan Abendroth, Mike Fowler, Kevin Brennan, Kara Haggerty Wilson, Nakita Reed, and Michael Ingui. In addition to specific deep dives into ventilation systems in hot and humid climates, designing for passive survivability during extreme weather events, and the challenges of marrying historic preservation and high-performance building methods, one theme courses throughout this episode's collection of snippets: The need for collaboration. Construction is a team sport, and a project's success depends on the ability of stakeholders with different sets of priorities to put aside their differences and cooperate. As our speakers note, learning to speak the language of different stakeholder helps to bridge the perceived divide between these priorities. Unrelated, but still exciting, our episode closes on some exciting news out of Massachusetts, where Passive House is booming. To learn more about what's happening in the state after listening to this episode, make sure to check out Cost-Efficient Passive House Delivery: Learning from the Massachusetts Experience by Passive House Massachusetts' Beth Campbell and Alexander Gard-Murray.The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Matthew is joined by Caroline Ashe Brady, Ann Marie Fallon, and Nathan Campbell at the Passive House Association of Ireland Conference held in Belfast. They share their insights on the current state and future of Passive House standards in the UK and Ireland. Discover the driving forces behind the shift towards more reliable carbon data, the importance of policy in advancing sustainability, and the impact of Passive House on education and student housing. Also, learn about the latest developments in energy metrics and building standards in Scotland and the need for integrating sustainable practices in retrofitting buildings. This episode provides a comprehensive look into the progressive strides being made in sustainable construction and the optimistic future envisioned by industry leaders.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-marie-fallon-a1baa619/https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-ashe-brady/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-campbell-a92b85103/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this Episode of the Passive House Podcast Matthew interviews representatives of Ecological Building Systems, including Niall Crosson, the Group Technical Director, and Neil Turner, the UK Technical Manager. They discuss the company's inception 25 years ago, its growth, and its innovations in bio-based construction and air-tightness solutions. The narrative also details their training programs and market challenges, particularly regarding the advances in air-tightness and mechanical ventilation systems in the UK and Ireland. The episode highlights various sustainable products such as vapor control layers, natural insulation materials like wood fiber and hemp, and decentralized ventilation systems. Emphasis is placed on the educational aspect of their business, targeting both industry professionals and the general public through roadshows and training centers. Lastly, they underscores the importance of sustainable and energy-efficient building practices, reflecting the company's mission and the broader movement towards eco-friendly construction.https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/https://ukphc.org.uk/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

To register for our Reimagine Buildings: Best of Retrofit online conference on Friday, December 5, 2025, visit https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/In episode thirteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of insights from Al Mitchell, Kimberly Llewellyn, Greta Tjeltveit, Ya'el Santopinto, Wolfgang Feist, and Lisa White.This episode is split between two topics. The first addresses one of the most common questions veteran members of the high-performance building community hear from those who are new to the industry: How do you get your start? For some, that route may be through the trades. For others, it may be through design. There are also less orthodox pathways, particularly for folks with backgrounds in modeling, data management, or consulting. No matter what your background is, this episode provides some practical advice on beginning a career in high-performance building.The second topic is retrofits, particularly the new Phius REVIVE standard. Guests Lisa White and Al Mitchell, both of Phius, describe the basics of REVIVE and how resilience became the driving rationale behind the standard.The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com

To register for our Reimagine Buildings: Best of Retrofit online conference on Friday, December 5, 2025, visit https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James interviews James Hartford and Juhee Lee Hartford of River Architects in Hudson Valley. The discussion covers the firm's focus on Passive House projects, mostly single-family homes with a mix of new constructions and retrofits. They touch on their first retrofit project affected by Hurricane Sandy, the evolving client interest in Passive House standards, and the firm's growth from two to ten employees. They discuss the financial and practical challenges of Passive House projects, including material and energy considerations, involvement in advocacy through Passive House Hudson Valley, and the growing demand for such homes. They also highlight the benefits of prefab construction in difficult climates and the importance of builder experience. https://www.riverarchitects.com/Video of River Architects' Bank Lofts retrofit project: https://youtu.be/GHLC2xGM-ykBest of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

To register for our Reimagine Buildings: Best of Retrofit online conference on Friday, December 5, 2025, visit https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/In this episode of the Passive House Podcast co-host's Jay and Mary chat with Emily Mottram, founder of Mottram Architecture, about her architectural firm and her passion for building science and low-carbon residential architecture. Emily discusses her firm's focus on retrofits and new builds, explaining their approach to sustainable architecture using eco-friendly, bio-based materials. She shares insights on the complexity and importance of retrofitting existing structures, the challenges and benefits of panelized construction, and the holistic methods she employs to ensure the health and safety of building occupants. https://www.mottramarch.com/Best of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast host Mary James meets with Katie Schwamb, Managing Director at Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex) to  discuss emissions reduction and compliance with Local Law 97 in New York City.  Local Law 97, sets carbon emissions limits for buildings over 25,000 square feet to help achieve near-zero emissions by 2050. Mary and Katie cover the importance of strategic planning, financial incentives, and challenges building owners face in complying with the law. Katie highlights Building Energy Exchange's array of resources aimed at advancing energy-efficient, decarbonized buildings, including case studies, retrofit playbooks, and their Local Law 97 calculator.https://be-exchange.org/Best of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Jay Fox talks with Andrea Michael, an architect from Love Schack Architecture in Bozeman, Montana. They discuss Andrea's comprehensive home retrofit, aimed at improving energy efficiency and comfort. The retrofit included air sealing, adding insulation, installing a heat pump, ERVs, solar panels, and more. The conversation highlights Andrea's journey from initial DIY efforts to a full-scale renovation, revealing significant energy savings and improved indoor air quality. The episode also touches on the challenges and successes of integrating sustainable building practices in Montana.https://loveschackarchitecture.com/See Andrea December 5th at Best of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registrationThank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In the twelfth episode of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of insights from Jake Bruton, Ben Bogie, Michael Ingui, Ed May, Kristof Irwin, and Ashley Wisse.This episode explores how practitioners across the Reimagine Buildings Collective are evolving the language and practice of high-performance building—shifting the focus toward health, comfort, and durability; tackling the realities of partial retrofits; leveraging modeling for better design decisions; and exploring radiant cooling and geothermal systems. Together, they offer a grounded perspective on how builders and designers can communicate value, raise standards, and accelerate the movement toward better buildings for all.The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Mary James speaks with Kara Haggerty Wilson, Design Director at Onion Flats. Kara discusses the company's focus on scaling up deep energy retrofits. She highlights their journey from initial projects in Pennsylvania to more extensive work in Massachusetts, including the challenges and successes of projects like the 130-year-old Hano Homes retrofit. Kara shares insights on navigating site-built versus panelized solutions, the importance of detailed building scans, and the evolving interest in deep energy retrofits among developers. The conversation also touches on technological advancements and the complexities of integrating new systems into old structures.https://www.onionflats.com/https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/101-deep-energy-exterior-retrofits?date=2025-11-05

This week on the Passive House Podcast we welcome Ben Walsham, the founder and director of ARKATA, based in Brunswick, Victoria. Trained in architecture and now a registered NatHERS Accredited Energy Efficiency Assessor, Ben empowers architects—as well as homeowners, builders, and developers—across Australia to create homes that are not only energy‑efficient, but comfortable, healthy, and resilient With a background in residential architecture and on-site building, Ben witnessed first-hand the pressing need for better performance in homes. This inspired his transition into sustainability consulting and ultimately to launching ARKATA in 2023.ARKATA's mission reflects Ben's philosophy: “Uncover the power of sustainability” through a human‑centered lens, where efficiency measures translate into tangible comfort and wellbeing for occupants.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walsham-104188148/https://linktr.ee/arkata.au 

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Kristof Irwin are at PhiusCon 2025, highlighting key sessions and interviews with industry experts. The conference explored a variety of themes including performance, purpose, and the power of community in the Passive House movement. Key takeaways included insights on air tightness, ventilation, innovative financing models, and the challenges and successes in scaling up Passive House projects. https://www.phius.org/phiusconThank you to Ikon Windows for sponsoring this episode of the Passive House Podcast!  https://www.ikonwindows.com/ Thanks to  Jennie Eber, Tom Bassett-Dilley, Kai Fast, Sayo Okada,  Beth Campbell, Beverly Craig, Kazumasa Tsushima, Daiji Sato, and Alexander Gard-Murray for joining us!Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Matthew Cutler Welsh talks with Matthew Crucifix, Director of Development at Stonewater, they discusses the organization's efforts in providing affordable and sustainable housing in the UK. Crucifix outlines Stonewater's expansive reach, managing around 40,000 homes, and their current focus on retrofitting existing homes to improve energy efficiency. Highlighting the financial challenges and solutions, including government grants and their in-house subsidy pot. He also delves into the specifics of their Passive House projects, like Cherry Grove, emphasizing the goal of building homes that are affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. The conversation concludes with insights into the future of housing in the UK, stressing the importance of sustainable construction methods and energy resilience.https://www.stonewater.org/Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.