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 | Oct 16, 2017
A negative emissions power plant is now operational in Iceland
The geothermal power plant in Hellisheidi, Iceland was outfitted with a Climeworks DAC module.
Sustainability | Oct 9, 2017
New Arizona State University building will reach triple net-zero performance
The science and research complex will include an atrium biome filled with plants and water.
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2017
The solutions to climate change are already at our fingertips
To keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius of warming, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the global buildings sector will need to decrease its total annual greenhouse gas contribution by 77% by 2050.
Green | Oct 2, 2017
Five strategies to improve energy performance in existing buildings
After performing retro-commissioning and energy audits for more than five million square feet of existing building real estate, we have developed a list of common low/no-cost Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) that are identified on the majority of projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 12, 2017
Washington, D.C. is first LEED Platinum city in the world
All city government buildings are powered by renewables.
K-12 Schools | Aug 31, 2017
Environmental studies building highlights sustainability in every design element
The LEED Platinum and Zero Net Energy Verified building minimizes energy use via its site orientation.
Higher Education | Aug 31, 2017
Hilltop L.A. campus preserves over 90% of its 447-acre site as open space
The Los Angeles campus is being built at a site in the eastern portion of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Data Centers | Aug 16, 2017
The world’s largest data center is being built 140 miles north of the Arctic Circle
The 600,000-sm facility will be on a secure property surrounded by a moat.
Green | Aug 11, 2017
A school’s sports hall is created entirely from bamboo
The building boasts a zero-carbon footprint and is naturally ventilated.
K-12 Schools | Aug 9, 2017
A school in Denmark is clad in 12,000 solar panels
C.F. Møller designed the building to create a connection between the school premises and the surrounding public urban space.
