The Future of Passive House
A Discussion with Ken Levenson

What is the future of Passive House? That’s the question Lisa Granlek, host of the Future of XYZ podcast, asked last week in an episode featuring Executive Director Ken Levenson alongside Luis Medina from STUDIO 397. The podcast is known for diving deep into a wide range of topics to find out what’s next in the world of art, science, innovation, and more.

You may already know that Passive House sits at the intersection of all of these things. As Ken explains at the beginning of the podcast to listeners who may not yet be familiar with the building standard, Passive House is about the empowerment of the architecture:

Rather than relying on mechanical systems, the air conditioner, and the heating to make any kind of design work, [Passive House] is saying that we’re going to design the envelope, the enclosure, the form of the building, the way it works in such a way so that the passive pieces–the insulation, the airtightness, the windows & doors, the orientation–all work to help deliver a really high quality building. Then we add a bit of air conditioning, a bit of heating to it.

While those less familiar with Passive House might view this method of building as “risky,” Ken explains that the risk is low and the benefits numerous.

“Its headline is energy efficiency, but the secret to that, in the design and optimization of the architecture of the building, is that through energy efficiency, we’re making a very comfortable, very healthy interior environment. It’s quiet and resilient, one where it’s possible to have daylight, views, and fresh air on nice days….It bakes in a lower-risk investment for the long term because of its resilience. One of the terms we use is “future-proof.”

Thanks to progress made in access to components, expertise, and certification, it’s easier than ever before to design and build to the Passive House standard, and more buildings (not just houses!) are being built to the standard every day.

So is the future of Passive House already here? Not quite. “We’re just scratching the surface,” Ken says, explaining that many newcomers are afraid they’re late to the game. “We’re on day 2.” Instead, Ken looks to a future where Passive House has become the new normal, along with an electrified grid, for a safer, healthier, more resilient experience in every building.

Ken, Lisa, and Luis spoke more about what it will take to get there and the obstacles that have already been overcome in the journey to future-proof our buildings. Check out the full episode here (or wherever you listen to podcasts), and don’t forget to take a look at our 1-Hour Intro to Passive House course to learn more about how Passive House can future-proof your community. Send it to a friend, and help us build the movement.

*Interview quotes have been edited for length and clarity.