Passive House Podcast

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke discusses bio-based materials and high-performance buildings with Lindsey Love from Regenerative Building Solutions. They highlight the importance of early phase energy and embodied carbon modeling, integrating natural materials in construction, and the benefits of such materials for building resilience and occupant health. They also discuss the AIA 2030 Commitment and the Materials Pledge, emphasizing strategies for small firms to implement high-impact, sustainable building practices. 

Regenerative Building Solutions: https://www.regenbuilding.com/

Link to the AIA 2030 Commitment: https://www.aia.org/design-excellence/climate-action/zero-carbon/2030-commitment

Nature-based Performance Lab's Fall insight brief: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/retrofit-labs-insight-briefs-now-available

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.

There’s a lot of building science that goes into making passive buildings extremely durable, efficient, comfortable, and healthy. However, one of the things that often gets overlooked when trying to explain the benefits of Passive House is the experience of actually being in one. There is a certain ineffability associated with the experience that defies easy translation into facts and figures, and this can be especially tricky to communicate to clients who are not already enthusiastic about Passive House. However, as revealed throughout episode fourteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, finding ways to frame Passive House as being quieter, healthier, more comfortable, more resilient, and just…better is key to getting them on board.

In this episode, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of conversations from the Reimagine Collective. Featured speakers include Craig Stevenson, Lindsay Schack, Matt Brill, Graham Irwin, and Michael Ingui.

The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Kristof Irwin discuss with Helena van Vliet the concept of biophilic design and its impact on human wellbeing. Helena explains how designing environments that reconnect humans with nature can optimize physiological energy and reduce stress and inflammation. The conversation delves into practical applications of biophilic design in urban environments, exploring how elements like dynamic sunlight, water features, and vegetation can improve health and connect people with natural surroundings. The episode also touches on the challenges of integrating these concepts with traditional architectural practices focused on energy efficiency and durability.

Helena van Vliet Dipl.-Ing. AIA is an internationally recognized expert in Biophilic Design. She is a registered Architect, Consultant, Researcher, Educator, and Speaker focusing on the direct connections between human and bio-habitat resilience in built environments. In her designs, consulting work and teaching, she integrates insights from her 40 years of practice, as well as data from her ongoing research in evolutionary biology, cognitive neuroscience, biopsychology, and chronobiology.

https://www.helenavanvliet.com/
https://www.biophilly.org/
https://www.biophiliccities.org/

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.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast Mary James and Jay Fox chat with Carmel Pratt, the new executive director of New York Passive House. They explore Carmel's background in architecture and sustainability, her role at New York Passive House, and her approach to sustainability consulting. Carmel shares the rich history and milestones of New York Passive House, including notable policies, educational initiatives, and collaborations with key organizations like NYSERDA and the International Passive House Association. The discussion also delves into the organization's goals for 2026, emphasizing workforce development, economic feasibility, and expanding beyond their traditional bubble. Carmel also highlights significant Passive House projects in New York and discusses her own consulting business, ZAZNRG, focusing on building operation and public education.

https://www.nypassivehouse.org/
https://zaznrg.com/

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, co-host Mary James discuss Passive House practices with James Petersen, founder of Petersen Engineering. The episode focuses on domestic hot water systems and their electrification, particularly in the context of Passive House standards. Petersen explains the challenges with current technologies, options for heat recovery, and the impact of location-specific energy costs. The conversation covers specific techniques such as solar thermal, drain water heat recovery, and the importance of accurate data for system sizing. Despite the cost challenges, clients are moving towards electrification due to regulations and environmental motivations. 

https://www.petersenengineering.com/

Join James on January 14th 2026: https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/101-domestic-hot-water-multifamily?date=2026-01-14

James Petersen, PE, is Owner and Principal of Petersen Engineering, an 18-person MEP/FP firm, with over four decades of experience designing integrated building mechanical systems. He brings a holistic approach that combines MEP design, building science, and enclosure coordination, and has served as principal-in-charge on more than 70 large Passive House projects. James currently volunteers as President of Passive House Mass and serves on the HCA Portsmouth Hospital Board of Directors.

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.

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Jay Fox interviews Maggie Ullman, a Councilwoman from Asheville, North Carolina. Maggie shares her multifaceted background as a climate advocate, former sustainability director, and leader of a nonprofit network focused on sustainability in the Southeast. She delves into her experience running for office, the impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville, and the city's recovery efforts. Maggie emphasizes the importance of building coalitions, understanding local government roles, and adaptable strategies for sustainability. She also discusses the challenges and successes in disaster recovery, highlighting the community's unity and advocacy at the federal level.

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.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, co-hosts Jay Fox and Ilka Cassidy interview Ben Bogie, a third-generation high-performance builder and Director of Outreach and Education at BPC Green Builders. Ben discusses the foundational lessons learned from his family's history in building super-insulated, airtight, thermally broken structures since the 1970s. He shares insights into the evolution of high-performance building methods, the importance of incorporating sound building science techniques, and the challenges of the modern construction industry. Ben also highlights his role in educating builders on high-performance practices through venues like the International Builders Show and expresses concerns about the rapid push towards electrification without comprehensive planning. The conversation covers topics such as the benefits of measuring real-world building performance, changes in insulation materials, the importance of site water management, and the potential impact of AI on the construction industry.

https://www.bpcgreenbuilders.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.

In episode fourteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of conversations from the Reimagine Collective. Featured speakers in this episode include Beth Campbell, Ryan Abendroth, Mike Fowler, Kevin Brennan, Kara Haggerty Wilson, Nakita Reed, and Michael Ingui. 

In addition to specific deep dives into ventilation systems in hot and humid climates, designing for passive survivability during extreme weather events, and the challenges of marrying historic preservation and high-performance building methods, one theme courses throughout this episode’s collection of snippets: The need for collaboration. Construction is a team sport, and a project’s success depends on the ability of stakeholders with different sets of priorities to put aside their differences and cooperate. As our speakers note, learning to speak the language of different stakeholder helps to bridge the perceived divide between these priorities. 

Unrelated, but still exciting, our episode closes on some exciting news out of Massachusetts, where Passive House is booming. To learn more about what’s happening in the state after listening to this episode, make sure to check out Cost-Efficient Passive House Delivery: Learning from the Massachusetts Experience by Passive House Massachusetts’ Beth Campbell and Alexander Gard-Murray.

The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Matthew is joined by Caroline Ashe Brady, Ann Marie Fallon, and Nathan Campbell at the Passive House Association of Ireland Conference held in Belfast. They share their insights on the current state and future of Passive House standards in the UK and Ireland. Discover the driving forces behind the shift towards more reliable carbon data, the importance of policy in advancing sustainability, and the impact of Passive House on education and student housing. Also, learn about the latest developments in energy metrics and building standards in Scotland and the need for integrating sustainable practices in retrofitting buildings. This episode provides a comprehensive look into the progressive strides being made in sustainable construction and the optimistic future envisioned by industry leaders.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-marie-fallon-a1baa619/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-ashe-brady/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-campbell-a92b85103/

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.

In this Episode of the Passive House Podcast Matthew interviews representatives of Ecological Building Systems, including Niall Crosson, the Group Technical Director, and Neil Turner, the UK Technical Manager. They discuss the company's inception 25 years ago, its growth, and its innovations in bio-based construction and air-tightness solutions. The narrative also details their training programs and market challenges, particularly regarding the advances in air-tightness and mechanical ventilation systems in the UK and Ireland. The episode highlights various sustainable products such as vapor control layers, natural insulation materials like wood fiber and hemp, and decentralized ventilation systems. Emphasis is placed on the educational aspect of their business, targeting both industry professionals and the general public through roadshows and training centers. Lastly, they underscores the importance of sustainable and energy-efficient building practices, reflecting the company's mission and the broader movement towards eco-friendly construction.

https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/
https://ukphc.org.uk/

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.