Passive House Podcast

In this tenth episode of The Reimagine Edit, host Zack Semke weaves together insights from a month of dynamic conversations inside the Reimagine Buildings Collective—including AMAs and Reimagine Tuesday interviews. From practical moisture control strategies to the latest in embodied carbon policy, from the efficiencies unlocked by design-build to the evolving role of materials in Passive House, this episode showcases a spectrum of expertise shaping climate-ready buildings. Tune in for perspectives from Cameron Caja, Jacob Racusin, Josh Salinger, Jesse Thompson, and  Melissa Furukawa, and get inspired by a community working together to raise the bar for performance, resilience, and impact.

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 Cutler Welsh sits down with Arthur Lee to discuss his background in architecture and his work in promoting energy-efficient buildings in New Zealand. Arthur shares his experience with passive house design at Tim Green Architects and his current role at Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. Lee highlights the trust’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality housing with a focus on energy efficiency, detailing their incremental improvements and the importance of sustainable design.

https://www.qlcht.org.nz/

Sian Taylor's appearances:
https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-25-sian-taylor-team-green-architectshttps://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/threepwood-passive-house-sian-taylor

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, Matthew shares a compilation of voices from the recent THRIVE 25 Passivhaus Conference held in Melbourne

Alex Slater
 Alex is the founder of Building Physics Pty Ltd, where he combines deep technical expertise with a passion for climate-responsive design. With a background in engineering and years of experience in thermal and hygrothermal simulation, Alex is committed to improving building performance across Australia’s diverse climates. His work supports architects, builders, and certifiers in delivering Passive House and low-energy buildings that excel in comfort and resilience.
🔗
buildingphysics.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alslatz/ 

https://buildingphysics.au/

Elrond Burrell
 Elrond is a Director at via architecture, a specialist firm known for designing low-carbon, high-performance buildings. A seasoned advocate for Passive House in Australasia, Elrond brings over two decades of international experience, particularly in large-scale public and residential projects. He is a vocal thought leader on sustainable architecture and a mentor to many in the built environment sector.
🔗 
via-architecture.net

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elrondburrell/ 

https://via-architecture.net/

Ben Sinclair
 Ben is a co-founder of Basehaus, a practice focused on delivering energy-efficient, beautiful buildings through Passive House design. With a background in carpentry and design, Ben is hands-on in every stage of the building process. He champions a practical, collaborative approach that blends craft and performance to create healthier, smarter buildings.
🔗
basehaus.com.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benasinclair/ 

https://www.basehaus.com.au/ 

Kylie Mills
 Kylie is a sustainability advocate and Director at Blukube Architecture, with a mission to create homes and buildings that are people-focused and future-ready. Her work centres on promoting healthier indoor environments and low-impact living, drawing on both Passive House and broader sustainability frameworks. Kylie is a regular speaker and educator in the field of regenerative and sustainable design.
🔗
Blukube Architecture on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-mills-sustainabilityadvocate/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/blukube-architecture/about/

Elena Cazacu
 Elena is the Director of Evissa, a specialist provider of SIPs and high-performance building systems for Passive House and beyond. With a strong focus on prefabrication and building envelope innovation, Elena is at the forefront of the shift toward smarter, faster, and more sustainable construction in Australia. She is a passionate advocate for Passive House education and systems-based thinking.
🔗
evissa.com.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evissa-sips-passive-house/ 

https://evissa.com.au/ 

Linden Thorley
 Linden is an Architect and certified Passive House Designer dedicated to regenerative and climate-conscious design. Operating his own studio, Linden applies a holistic and collaborative approach that respects both people and place. He is a strong advocate for Passive House as a key tool in providing better outcomes for his clients.
 🔗
lindenthorley.com.au

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linden-thorley-8b448a308/ 

https://www.lindenthorley.com.au/ 

A big thanks to Andy Marlow and Talina Edwards from Envirotecture who made it possible for Matthew to attend this year’s conference in Melbourne, Australia and thanks to Cascadia Windows and Doors for sponsoring this week’s episode.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Jay Fox talks with Ace McArleton of New Frameworks about building with straw-insulated prefab panels, creating inclusive workspaces in the trades, and launching the Seed Collaborative to scale low-carbon construction through shared knowledge and collective action.

https://www.newframeworks.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 this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Mary James speaks with Barry McCarron, Managing Director of Kore Retrofit, about Ireland’s bold retrofit efforts and Passive House leadership. Barry traces his journey from building the world's largest Passive House Premium project to leading cutting-edge retrofit initiatives through Kore’s one-stop shop model. He shares insights into his PhD research on radon in certified Passive House buildings, the significance of airtightness and ventilation, and Ireland’s ambitious retrofit targets. 

https://www.koreretrofit.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 this ninth episode of The Reimagine Edit, host Zack Semke weaves together insights from the Reimagine Buildings 25 conference and a month of rich conversations inside the Reimagine Buildings Collective—including AMAs, Reimagine Tuesday interviews, and the post-conference after party. From the growing momentum behind high-performance prefab to timeless lessons in quality craftsmanship, scale, and impact, this episode captures the spirit of a community pushing forward together. Tune in for voices from across the industry sharing what it means to build better—at every level.

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

On this episode of the Passive House Podcast join Michael Ingui as he chats with the NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Round Five Award winners. From groundbreaking Passive House projects in Manhattan, Buffalo, and the South Bronx to deep retrofits and adaptive reuse in Brooklyn and beyond, we hear from architects, developers, and engineers driving high-performance, low-carbon buildings across New York State. With a focus on community impact, design excellence, and climate resilience, this episode captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of sustainable architecture.

Buildings of Excellence Website: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/

Project featured in interview excerpt #1 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: Kissena House

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Kissena-House

Project featured in interview excerpt #2 with Forward Development and Line 42 Architecture: 1707 Hertel Ave – buffalo

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/1707-Hertel-Ave

Project featured in interview excerpt #3 with Alloy Development and Thornton Tomasetti: 475 State Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/475-State-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #4 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: Seneca West 110th Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Seneca-West-110th-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #5 with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects: 77 William Street

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/77-William-Street

Project featured in interview excerpt #6 with Ettinger Engineering Associates: Powerhouse Apartments

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Powerhouse-Apartments

Project featured in interview excerpt #7 with ZH Architects: Building 10 Bio-Based Passive House

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Multifamily-Buildings-of-Excellence/Winners/Building-10-Bio-based-Passive-House

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, hosts Mary James and Ilka Cassidy sit down with Kristina Held, principal and founder of Held Architecture. Kristina shares her fascinating path through architectural education in Serbia, Germany, and the U.S., and how that global experience shaped her approach to Passive House. From humidity challenges in the Carolinas to adaptive reuse and detailing with precision, Kristina offers deep insight into designing for performance, comfort, and climate resilience.

https://www.heldarch.com/

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James sits down with Parlin Meyer, Managing Principal of BrightBuilt Home, and Chris Lee, Head of Design & Development at Backyard ADUs, for a deep dive into the growing world of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Together, they explore how prefabrication, modular construction, and progressive policy shifts are reshaping the housing landscape in the Northeast and beyond. From multigenerational living to zoning reforms and cost challenges, Parlin and Chris share insights from the front lines of ADU design and delivery—what’s working, what’s not, and where this crucial housing type is headed.

https://www.brightbuilthome.com/

https://backyardadus.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 this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Jay Fox and Mary James talk with Lisette Wong and Jack Esterson of Think! Architecture & Design to explore the award-winning Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Plaza project. Learn how this project blends community heritage with Passive House sustainability in Harlem. Lisette and Jack share their journey to Passive House, the project’s innovative design features—including advanced HVAC, daylighting with large operable skylights, green roofs, and PV systems—and the deep community impact of creating year-round space for market vendors and residents alike.

https://www.think-arc.com/

Reimagine Buildings '25 https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/events/reimagine-buildings-25

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.