Session · Building types · Designers and consultants

High-Performance Infill: ADUs + Passive House

Tyler Whaley, Geometry & Materials · March 19, 2026 · Chapter · PHRM (Passive House Rocky Mountains)

A case study in Lafayette, Colorado: the design strategies, construction details, and mechanical approaches used to overcome the small-space penalty in pursuing Passive House certification for an accessory dwelling unit.

Key points

• The challenges of high-performance standards on small infill projects.
• Design strategies for envelope performance in tight spaces.
• Detailing for airtightness and thermal continuity in compact buildings.
• Mechanical options for low-load, small-footprint Passive House projects.