Passive House Podcast

Passive House Podcast

By Matthew Cutler-Welsh, Zack Semke, Mary James, and Ilka CassidySociety & CultureScience
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Passive House Podcast episodes

  • 203: Buildings Can Take Care of Us

    In this episode of the Passive House Accelerator Podcast, Nathan St. Germain, founder of Studio St. Germain discusses his firm’s philosophy of “building to give back." Nathan explores the concept of aging in place and how Passive House design can create a therapeutic, livable environment for people as they age. He highlights his work on the Wilkinsburg Passive House project, where the focus on air quality, energy efficiency, and livability supports the health and dignity of the occupants. The episode delves into the fusion of universal design with Passive House principles and how data-driven design can improve indoor environments for everyone.

    Links:

    https://www.studiostgermain.com/work#/wilkinsburg-passive-house

    https://www.studiostgermain.com/wilkinsburg-passive-house-high-performance

    https://www.studiostgermain.com/studio-stgermain-pursues-milestone-passive-house-enerphit-certification-in-pennsylvania

    https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/how-this-wilkinsburg-home-is-achieving-milestone-sustainability/

    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
  • 202: Cool Hacks: Listeners’ DIY Tips for the Heat

    In our final episode of our Cooling and Summer Resiliency series we asked you our audience "What's your DIY cooling/summer resilience solution?". Co-Hosts Zack, Mary, Matthew and Ilka discuss your responses and dive into their own DIY solutions.  From running bathroom fans all night to strategic shading solutions, hear practical advice from Passive House enthusiasts across North America. Plus, discover insights on the impact of internal gains and the importance of monitoring and adapting your home for optimal comfort.

    Check out the full series here: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast

    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
  • 201: Cooling & Resilience: The In's and Out's of Energy Modeling

    In this fourth episode of our Cooling and Sumer Resiliency series, co-host Ilka Cassidy delves into the intricacies of cooling and resilience in building design with some of North America's leading energy modelers. Join us as Prudence Ferreira, Ryan Abendroth, and Christina Snyder share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for predicting and mitigating overheating in buildings. From the basics of energy modeling to advanced techniques for optimizing building performance. Tune in to explore how these experts ensure comfort and sustainability in Passive House projects across varied climates.

    https://www.buildzeroconsulting.com
    https://www.thorntontomasetti.com/
    https://www.passiveenergydesigns.com/
    https://www.certiphiers.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 12 min
  • 200: Designing for Extremes In Australia's Changing Climate

    In this third episode of our Cooling and Sumer Resiliency series, we welcome back Andy Marlow to discuss the unique challenges of designing Passive Houses in Australia's increasingly hot and varied climate. We dive into the nuances of maintaining comfort in the face of rising temperatures, the importance of shading, and the evolving role of mechanical cooling. Andy shares insights on the balance between traditional Passive House principles and the need for innovative solutions in warmer regions. Whether you're a designer, builder, or just curious about sustainable housing, this episode offers valuable perspectives on adapting to climate extremes.

    https://www.envirotecture.com.au/

    Mary's 10 Steps to Hardening Your Home Against Wildfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=626NQeQGH7s

    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
  • 199: Breathing Easier: Indoor Air Quality vs. Wildfire Smoke

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast we revisit a previous episode with John Semmelhack, co-owner of the Comfort Squad based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and a member of the Phius Technical Committee. In their conversation Zack and John discuss the increasing impact of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality across North America. They explore both immediate and long-term strategies to protect your home, from DIY air filter solutions like the Corsi-Rosenthal Box to integrating high-performance filtration systems in your building's design. Learn how to make your indoor space a safer haven during these challenging air quality events.

    Share how you are keeping cool and be featured in an upcoming episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Passive_House_Podcast

    Checkout the video version of the interview on Reimagine Buildings:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_nnTASOAE

    Comfort Squad:
    https://www.comfortsquad.us/

    Corsi-Rosenthal Fan Resources:
    https://corsirosenthalfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Build-a-Box-Eng-1.pdf

    Original episode https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-147-john-semmelhack-iaq-and-wil...

    https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/diy-box-fan-air-cleaner-update/
    https://aqicn.org/map/northamerica/
    https://cleanaircrew.org/box-fan-filters/

    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.

    38 min
  • 198: Keeping Cool: Strategies for Summer Resiliency

    In this episode of the Passive House Accelerator podcast, we're kicking off a special summer mini-series on cooling and summer resiliency. Host Mary James is joined by mechanical engineer, Galen Staengl and Tad Everhart of CertiPHIers Cooperative. Galen shares insights from his extensive experience in energy-efficient green building and Passive House design, emphasizing the importance of holistic, cost-effective approaches to cooling. Tad discusses his journey from climate crisis awareness to Passive House certification and his practical experiences managing cooling in an urban heat island. The conversation explores various cooling techniques, including night cooling, evaporative cooling, and dehumidification, along with strategies to optimize air movement and distribute cool air in Passive Houses. 

    Share how you are keeping cool and be featured in an upcoming episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Passive_House_Podcast

    https://www.staenglengineering.com/

    https://www.certiphiers.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 3 min
  • 197: California Building—High Performance and Low Carbon

    In this episode of Passive House Podcast, co-host Mary James reconnects Bronwyn Barry in her new project in Sacramento, California during a Passive House Open House Days. Bronwyn emphasizes the importance of both operational energy efficiency and embodied carbon reduction. The episode highlights innovative building materials, such as dense pack cellulose and rigid exterior hemp insulation, and touches on the challenges and successes in obtaining permitting and ensuring fire resilience. Additionally, the conversation explores the exciting progress towards recognizing Passive House standards in California’s Title 24 energy code.

    https://www.passivehousebb.com/
    https://www.passivehouseprojects.org/projects/sacramento-passive-house/

    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.

    37 min
  • 196: Passive House Humility with Alex Slater

    In this episode of Passive House Podcast, co-host Matthew Cutler-Welsh reconnects with Alex Slater from Shared Spaces to delve into the latest advancements and challenges in sustainable design. Alex shares his recent work on the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and its application in compliance with Australian building regulations. They discuss the significance of energy efficiency, the impact of thermal mass in various climates, and the importance of education and humility in promoting sustainable practices. Alex also reflects on the recent Thrive24 conference, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to advancing Passive House standards in Australia. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of sustainable architecture and the growing Passive House community.

    Links:

    • https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alslatz_excel-thrive24-passivhaus-activity-7199912073265389568-QH9g
    • https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-76-alex-slater-shared-space-architecture
    • About Us - Shared Space Architecture
    • https://buildingphysics.au/
    • https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-76-alex-slater-shared-space-architecturehttps://sharedspacearchitecture.com.au/

    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.

    46 min
  • 195: How Passive Buildings Propel the Energy Transition

    In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Zack Semke welcomes back Lisa White, Associate Director of Phius. A renowned thought leader in the intersection of buildings and the clean energy transition, Lisa shares insights from her work, especially the Architect's Guide to Ultra-Low Energy Buildings, Microgrids, and Direct Current. She and Zack also discuss Phius's exciting revision of its Revive retrofit standard.

    https://xenetwork.org/ets/episodes/episode-225-demand-side-solutions/
    https://www.phius.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/Architect_Guide_v2.1_3mar24.pdf
    https://www.phius.org/phius-revive-2024-standard-document
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-110-lisa-white-phius
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/bonus-episode-lisa-white-phius-phiuscon-2023
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/reimagining-buildings-with-lisa-white-of-phius
    https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/facilitating-the-renewable-transition-passive-buildings-grid-interactive-capabilities

    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
  • 194: Closing the Loop - Circular Construction in North America

    In the final part of our series on circular construction co-hosts Mary James and Ilka Cassidy are joined by Felix Heisel, an architect, professor at Cornell University, and director of the Circular Construction Lab.  Learn about the principles of circular construction, urban mining, and the significance of deconstruction over demolition. Discover how Felix's lab is pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture through interdisciplinary research, policy advocacy, and practical implementation. This episode also highlights real-world examples and emerging policies in North America, offering a comprehensive look at how we can build a more sustainable future by rethinking our approach to construction and materials reuse. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on transforming the built environment.

    https://www.amazon.com/stores/Felix-Heisel/author/B01FW8WP4S
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-heisel/
    https://labs.aap.cornell.edu/ccl
    https://aap.cornell.edu/people/felix-heisel

    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 2 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.

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