We spend a lot of time indoors so keeping the indoor air comfortable and healthy is central to many people’s concerns. Unfortunately, buildings consume 40 per cent of energy globally mostly to achieve these aims.
Passive House can turn this profile around. It’s beauty in simplicity. It is about going back to basics – using orientation, shading and good design, then applying a refined level of technology to the design of our buildings.
Continue reading: Australian Passive House Association: zero-energy home not as challenging as you might think, with the right toolkit
According to Paul Wall, chief executive officer, of the not-for-profit Australian Passive House Association, demand for Passive House is growing, with more than 40 buildings certified and hundreds more in the pipeline.
While originating in Germany’s colder climate, the Passive House standard can be successfully applied to buildings in warmer climates such as Australia.
“We are cutting through the barriers of scepticism,” Paul says.
“People didn’t understand in the past how Passive House could be beneficial – how a German design could be useful in Australia, but now they are understanding that physics works everywhere and all building are aligned to specific climate data for different geography.
Become a member of the Australian Passive House
APHA’s world class curriculum and online platform accommodates designers and tradespersons Australia-wide, led by industry experts at the top of their field. The courses are offered in a blended format of live streamed presentations and self-paced e-learning, allowing students to manage their learning time more effectively and not be bound by strict attendance schedules.
APHA’s calendar is packed with events suitable for industry professionals and those new to Passive House such as:
- Webinars
- Networking and Chapter events
- Site tours
- Major events like the Ice Box Challenge and the South Pacific Passive House Conference.
Association members include architects, builders, engineering experts, building physics consultants, designers and sustainability specialists.
APHA’s membership program offers discounts and benefits, with education, advocacy, resources, and events available to anyone who wishes to deliver wellbeing and comfort for occupants.
APHA’s library of resources are for all levels of knowledge and experience, including technical reports, case studies, plus our Guide to Passive House Building and Passivhaus in Australia book. Training courses can provide a gateway to the world of Passive House, providing CPD (continuing professional development) points counting towards licensing obligations.
Passive House is a well-established design and construction method that delivers unsurpassed indoor air quality, comfortable, healthy, energy efficient, and resilient buildings that can be applied in all climates and building types, the association says.
The fundamentals of Passive House include:
- orientation
- a highly insulated and well-sealed building envelope with minimised thermal breaks
- high-performance glazing
- an emphasis on indoor environmental quality in terms of ventilation and air quality
“The Passive House standard should be the benchmark for comfort in all buildings, and works to accelerate the transition to high performance buildings in Australia on the path to net zero,” Paul says.
Find out more about the Passive House standard, including where to find a qualified consultant, resources, upcoming APHA workshops and more here.
Register for certified Passive House training here.
