How do you keep up with the latest trends and innovations in passive house design?

1 Follow the experts

One of the best ways to learn from the best is to follow the experts who are leading the way in passive house design and performance. You can subscribe to newsletters, podcasts, blogs, and magazines that feature case studies, interviews, tips, and insights from passive house practitioners, researchers, and advocates. Some examples are the Passive House Institute, the Passive House Podcast, the Passive House Accelerator, and the Passive House Plus magazine. You can also join online communities and forums where you can ask questions, share ideas, and network with other passive house enthusiasts.

2 Attend events and courses

Another way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in passive house design is to attend events and courses that offer opportunities to learn, exchange, and collaborate. You can look for local, national, or international conferences, workshops, webinars, and tours that showcase passive house projects, technologies, and best practices. You can also enroll in online or in-person courses that provide training and certification in passive house design and performance. Some examples are the International Passive House Conference, the North American Passive House Network Conference, the Passive House Academy, and the Passive House Institute US.

3 Experiment and innovate

A third way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in passive house design is to experiment and innovate with your own projects and solutions. You can use tools and software that help you design, model, and optimize passive house buildings, such as PHPP, DesignPH, WUFI Passive, and THERM. You can also explore new materials, systems, and techniques that improve passive house performance, such as prefabricated panels, phase change materials, solar shading, and natural ventilation. You can also seek feedback and advice from other passive house experts and peers to improve your skills and knowledge.

4 Benchmark and monitor

A fourth way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in passive house design is to benchmark and monitor your passive house buildings and compare them with others. You can use metrics and indicators that measure passive house performance, such as energy use intensity, air changes per hour, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. You can also use sensors, meters, and dashboards that collect and display data on passive house performance, such as energy consumption, temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. You can also participate in databases and platforms that allow you to share and access data on passive house buildings, such as the Passive House Database, the Building Performance Network, and the Building Energy Data Exchange Specification.

5 Stay curious and inspired

A fifth way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in passive house design is to stay curious and inspired by the possibilities and benefits of passive house design. You can read books, watch videos, listen to stories, and visit sites that showcase passive house design and performance in different contexts, climates, and cultures. You can also challenge yourself to apply passive house principles and practices to different types of buildings, such as schools, offices, hotels, and hospitals. You can also celebrate and support the achievements and initiatives of the passive house community and movement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?