Passive House Podcast

Passive House Podcast

By Matthew Cutler-Welsh, Zack Semke, Mary James, and Ilka CassidySociety & CultureScience
Download on the App Store

Passive House Podcast episodes

  • 219: Building with Cork with Sean Conta

    This week on the Passive House Podcast Mary James sat down with Sean Conta, founder of Targa Homes. Sean shares his journey from green building certification to starting his own company in 2018, focusing on creating sustainable, high-performance homes in the Pacific Northwest. Discover how Sean educates clients about Passive House principles, his experience using innovative materials like cork and wood fiberboard for insulation, and the practicalities of reducing embodied carbon in construction. From tackling wildfire resilience to exploring the benefits of airtight construction and indoor air quality, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone passionate about sustainable building.

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    40 min
  • 218: Healthy Materials & How to Find Them with Ramune Bartuskaite

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, we sit down with Ramune Bartuskaite, architect and CEO of Spec Matters. Originally from Lithuania and now based in Philadelphia, Ramune shares her inspiring journey through architecture, from her academic experiences at Miami University, Penn, and international studies in Copenhagen and London, to founding her own platform dedicated to healthier materials. She shares insights on how architects can select better materials, advocate for healthier environments, and the importance of community-driven initiatives. 

    https://specmatters.com/ 

    https://www.xvadesign.com/

    https://appliedresearchanddesign.com/product/women-rebuild

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    43 min
  • Special Component Episode: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Construction with Source 2050

    In this special component spotlight episode of the Passive House Podcast Ilka Cassidy chats with Source 2050 Co-founders Michael Ingui and John Knapp and Passive House expert Shannon Pendleton. They discuss how Source 2050 simplifies sourcing innovative, sustainable products, bridging design and construction to accelerate better building practices. Whether you're an architect, builder, or consultant, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your practice and accelerate sustainable construction.

    https://source2050.com/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    49 min
  • 217: Designing for a Sustainable Future with Crystal Ng

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Jay Fox and Mary James talk with Crystal Ng, Director of Sustainability at Curtis + Ginsberg. Crystal discusses her first-hand experiences with Passive House projects, the future of geothermal and domestic hot water systems, and the innovative strategies her team is employing to achieve net-zero goals.

    https://www.cplusga.com/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    32 min
  • 216: Biomaterials Can Store Carbon with Chris Magwood

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Zack Semke talks with Chris Magwood of RMI. Chris shares his journey from running a design-build company and school in Ontario to becoming a leading voice in embodied carbon and sustainable building practices. The conversation delves into the evolution of green building, the importance of upfront carbon reduction, and the potential of biomaterials to achieve net-zero carbon construction. Chris also highlights tools, research, and insights for advancing climate-positive solutions in residential building.

    https://rmi.org/
    https://www.reimaginebuildings.com/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    1 hr 7 min
  • 215: A Dive into DFMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly)

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, co-host Ilka Cassidy sits down with Chelsey Effinger from GO Logic, Angie Horner and Abby Xerri of Quantum Passivhaus, and Jonah Stanford from B.Public Prefab to explore the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) process. Together, they discuss the critical intersection of architectural design, energy modeling, and panelized construction. From 3D modeling software to effective collaboration with architects and manufacturers, this conversation unveils the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of high-performance building systems.

    https://www.gologic.us/

    https://www.bpublicprefab.com/

    https://www.quantumpassivhaus.com/

    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/reimagine-buildings-biomaterials

    https://www.reimaginebuildings.com/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    1 hr 4 min
  • 214: Prefab Construction in NZ with Stefan Mausli

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Matthew Cutler-Welsh talks with Stephan Mausli, co-owner of Hector Egger New Zealand. Stephan reflects on adapting to the New Zealand housing industry and redefining construction practices. Sharing the stark contrasts between European and New Zealand building standards, the challenges of prefabrication in a developing market, and his passion for delivering high-quality, sustainable housing solutions. 

    https://www.hector-egger.ch/de/he-nz


    https://www.reimaginebuildings.com/
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/reimagine-buildings-biomaterials

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    44 min
  • 213: Passive Pickleball with David Komet

     In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Mary James talks with David Komet about the journey of turning an underutilized urban site into a state-of-the-art pickleball facility designed with sustainability, community value, and innovative engineering at its core.   David shares how a chance proposal led to a pivot from residential development to creating a Passive House-compliant sports venue. From optimizing land use near highways to integrating materials like AAC panels for thermal mass, we dive into the challenges and benefits of high-performance building design.

    https://www.reimaginebuildings.com/
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/reimagine-buildings-biomaterials

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    48 min
  • 212: James Clarke on Healthier Homes with NZSIP

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, we sit down with James Clarke, General Manager of NZSIP, to explore his journey from high-end construction in London to leading sustainable building innovations in New Zealand. James shares his passion for creating healthier, more resilient homes after a personal encounter with New Zealand's housing challenges. Discover how Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer energy efficiency, airtightness, and superior insulation, making them an ideal choice for sustainable and Passive House construction. 

    https://nzsip.co.nz/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    47 min
  • 211: Working Toward the UK’s Net-Zero Targets

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Mary James and Ilka Cassidy talk with Joanna Lockhart of Tetra Tech Europe. As the Associate Director of Architecture, Joanna leads a specialized team focused on net zero, whole-life carbon, and circular building approaches. She shares her experience in designing sustainable, low-carbon buildings for the UK’s Ministry of Defense, navigating complex carbon targets, and leveraging circular economy principles.

    Tetra Tech Europe https://www.tetratecheurope.com/

    Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

    58 min

About Passive House Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Interviews with the leaders, practitioners, and change-makers in the global Passive House movement. A production of Passive House Accelerator.

More shows like Passive House Podcast

Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,261 Listeners

Energy Gang by Wood Mackenzie

Energy Gang

1,246 Listeners

House Planning Help Podcast by Ben Adam-Smith

House Planning Help Podcast

31 Listeners

Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

Unexpected Elements

358 Listeners

The Building Science Podcast by Positive Energy

The Building Science Podcast

175 Listeners

Outrage + Optimism by Persephonica and Global Optimism

Outrage + Optimism

458 Listeners

UnBuild It Podcast by Unbuild It Podcast

UnBuild It Podcast

230 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,891 Listeners

Volts by David Roberts

Volts

635 Listeners

Sustainable Builders Yak by Sustainable Builders Alliance

Sustainable Builders Yak

2 Listeners

Plain English with Derek Thompson by The Ringer

Plain English with Derek Thompson

2,260 Listeners

Zero: The Climate Race by Bloomberg

Zero: The Climate Race

229 Listeners

Shell Game by Kaleidoscope

Shell Game

1,115 Listeners

Open Circuit by Latitude Media

Open Circuit

137 Listeners