More Than a Space for Books:

America’s First Certified Passive House Public Library

Is Passive House just for houses? You’ve probably been asked this question before. And the answer, of course, is a resounding no. Passive House building standards can be applied to any structure you can think of, and we think you’ll agree that the core Passive House principles of safety, comfort, and energy efficiency are well-suited to spaces that serve the public and aim to build community. We recently took a second look at a Passive House school in Massachusetts, so it only seems logical to hit the books and refresh our memory on Carrick Library, America’s First Certified Passive House Public Library, located in Pittsburgh, PA.

Our presenter, Brandon Nicholson, recounts his experiences in upgrading a local library from the old retail space it was inhabiting to a fully realized community center, complete with after-school programming, digital access, and flexible meeting rooms to meet the needs of the neighborhood. The result is a welcoming, energy-efficient space for all to enjoy.

Passive House is for everyone, and that’s why we’re thrilled to be holding Passive House for the Public during our 2023 PHN Conference. Our panelists Esther van Eeden from Kearns Mancini Architects, Prudence Ferreira from Thornton Tomasetti, and Dominic Griffin from Architecture Research Office will take us through two more community-minded spaces, including a Passive House YWCA in Hamilton, Ontario, and the very first Passive House public schools in New York City. Be sure to register now and join us for a great discussion online and in Denver on October 4th.