Passive House: The smart solution for our changing world – Season Trailer

Renovation Collaborative

Imagine living in a house where the air is always fresh, clean and comfortable, regardless of temperature extremes outside.

The rooms are quiet and calm. Where the surfaces don't get dirty and dusty. There are no insects, spider webs or mould, and this means you can spend less time cleaning. If you suffer from allergies or hay fever. You can breathe comfortably, unaffected by seasonal pollens. You can open the house and hear the birds in the trees outside, feel the cooling breezes, and gather with friends and family on the deck and around the pool.

Energy use and running costs are minimal.

But you don't have to imagine this healthy, comfortable, affordable and easy living house. You can have one. This is a Passive House.

Hey there, I'm architect Stephanie Skyring. Welcome to Season 2. Passive House: the smart solution for our changing world.

Developed in Germany 30 years ago, Passive House is a scientifically proven design and construction standard that delivers optimal internal air quality and comfort and drastically reduces energy consumption.

It's a real solution to climate change.

It was created for houses, but applies to all building types and scales. Around the world, and in Australia, it's being embraced in all sorts of buildings, from schools and universities to hotels, commercial buildings and high rise residential buildings. And that's just the beginning.

So the question is, if it's so great, why hasn't the word about it spread faster? Why aren't there Passive Houses and buildings everywhere? Why do so few people even know about Passive House, let alone know how to design or build one?

The answer is that knowledge spreads slowly. There's a lot to know about designing and building a Passive House. In addition, with anything new and different, a lack of knowledge leads to misconceptions, misinformation and scepticism, which slows uptake.

In this podcast season, I talk to Passive House owners and experts all around Australia to find out the facts and get to the bottom of all of the misinformation. Over ten weekly podcast episodes, you'll learn;

• what it's really like to live and work in a building built to the Passive House standard,
• what a passive house is and how it's different to standard residential buildings,
• the key players you need on your project and what they do,
• the differences in Passive House design across each Australian climate zone, and finally
• how to get started.

This podcast season creates a comprehensive resource of valuable insights, practical information and solutions.

When I started researching this season, I was already on board with Passive House. I've completed the Passive House designer course and investigated implementing Passive House on a couple of projects. But I still had so many practical questions about designing and building Passive House, as well as the applicability of Passive House in all climate zones, particularly in subtropical Brisbane.

Through this season, I set out to find the answers to my questions. As the interviews progressed, I learned so much more than I ever imagined. All my guests share a wealth of knowledge so openly, simply to spread the word about the incredible benefits of Passive House.

As you'll find out through this season, Passive House makes complete sense and really is the smart solution for our changing world.

If you're an Australian architect, you can claim your formal CPD hours for these podcasts.

Join me every Tuesday for season two.

For more information, jump onto the renovation collaborative website www.renovationcollaborative.com.au

PODCAST SEASON PROGRAMME

Understanding the Basics

November 12

E02: What’s it like in a Passive House?

Five owners tell their story - Residential & Commercial

November 19

E03: How to Design a Passive House

Alexander Symes, Alexander Symes Architects, Sydney

www.alexandersymes.com.au

November 26

E04: Passive House Consultant & Passive House Certifier

Luc Plowman, Detail Green, Victoria.

www.detailgreen.com.au

December 05

E05: What are Passive House windows?

Paul Gerrard, Energy Efficient Windows, Brisbane

www.eewindows.com.au

December 10

E06: How to Build a Passive House

Matthew Carland, Carland Constructions, Melbourne

www.carlandconstructions.com

Know your climate zone

December 17

E07: Passive House design: Cool Temperate

Michael Tolhurst, Envelope Architecture, Canberra

www.envelopearchitecture.com.au

December 24

E08: Passive House design: Mild Temperate

Andy Marlow, Envirotecture, NSW & Victoria

www.envirotecture.com.au

December 31

E09: Passive House design: Warm Temperate

Ben Caine, Leanhaus Architecture, Perth

www.leanhaus.com.au

January 7

E10: Passive House design: Subtropical

Tiago Guerreiro, H4 Living, Brisbane

www.h4living.com.au

Get Started

January 14

E11: How to get started with Passive House

Alexia Lidas CEO, Australian Passivhaus Association

• Key learnings from the season
• Where to find support, courses & resources
• Passive House accommodation you can stay in
• Passive House buildings you can visit
• Australian suppliers of Passive House equipment (PDF list)

www.passivhausassociation.com.au

MORE INFORMATION

If you're looking for more information, you can find everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website.

• Jump onto the FREE resources page and find the full transcripts edited into clear Q & A.
• Australian architects can find more information on CPD, and
• You'll also find eleven easy-to-read COURSES demystifying the entire home design and construction process.

GET IN TOUCH

If you've got any comments or questions or there's any topic you'd like to know more about, please send me an email at [e-mail].

www.renovationcollaborative.com.au