The growth of the Passive House standard in the U.S. has been slow, but it could still produce significant influence, according to a recent panel of industry experts.
That group is looking to expand the standard beyond single-family houses to projects like schools, hospitals and high-rise towers, according to a Construction Dive report. Today, there is roughly 475,000 sf of certified Passive House project square footage in the U.S., including 16 multifamily projects, seven commercial buildings, and one school, in addition to 111 single-family homes.
Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) wants to expand acceptance of the standard in the commercial and institutional markets. As more buildings achieve certification, they provide proof-of-concept and data that can inform design decisions and influence new codes and regulations, and thereby create momentum for the standard.
Local governments will be able to collect the data from new Passive House buildings and help inform decision-makers in the built community about how the standard achieves results in sustainability. Optimistically, Passive House could thus have a larger influence than might be expected from just looking at the number of certifications.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Feb 11, 2019
AEC firms practice what they preach
The advice about wellness firms dispense to clients in many cases has already been road tested to make their own workplaces healthier.
Market Data | Feb 4, 2019
U.S. Green Building Council announces annual Top 10 States for LEED Green Building in 2018
Illinois takes the top spot as USGBC defines the next generation of green building with LEED v4.1.
Sustainability | Feb 1, 2019
Designing a net zero aquatic center
Buildings can be designed to cut consumption and operate more efficiently, but the pools always make it difficult to achieve substantial savings.
Sustainability | Jan 30, 2019
Denmark to build nine industrial, energy-producing islands surrounded by a ‘nature belt’
The project will be located 10 km (6.2 miles) south of Copenhagen.
Green | Jan 28, 2019
This is the country’s greenest academic building
Perkins+Will designed the building.
Sustainability | Nov 5, 2018
How the built environment can help the climate crisis
Our buildings and cities will have to experiment with new climate responsive forms, and in many cases, the built environment will require dramatic shifts to achieve true resilience and continue working towards a carbon-neutral society.
Sustainability | Oct 25, 2018
As project delivery models evolve, designers rethink their role
New York City’s newest university campus, Cornell Tech, pushes the limits of sustainable and resilient design.
Green | Oct 17, 2018
USGBC survey suggests employees are happier, healthier, and more productive in LEED green buildings
Can healthier, more sustainable buildings give employers a hiring edge to attract best in class talent?
Sustainability | Oct 3, 2018
Introducing sustainable design early leads to more resilient projects
Many companies are influenced by the misconception that only some projects can qualify as sustainable.
Sustainability | Sep 18, 2018
Starbucks to build 10,000 “Greener Stores” by 2025
The company is teaming with SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund to develop the Greener Stores framework.
