Certified Passive House Designer

The Passivhaus standard is much more than an energy performance standard, it is also a quality assurance standard that closes the gap between theoretical performance and reality. The Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) software is a rigorous design tool for analysing Passivhaus buildings, making the designer subject to an inbuilt quality assurance that can meet the actual performance targets of the proposed design and specification.

If a client of Paul McAlister Architects desires a Passivhaus building there is a distinct advantages in employing a certified Passivhaus designer insofar as they have proven that they have the knowledge and the skills required. The practice is also a member of the Passivhaus Buildings Trust, a new organisation established by the AECB, committed to assisting with the delivery of buildings that perform as intended.

To meet the Passivhaus criteria the practice uses an in house quality assurance methodology, using a range of software tools to model such items as thermal bridging or condensation risks. This enables the design and delivery of low or zero carbon buildings that meet the projected energy load and design criteria.

Certified Passivhaus designers, with a background in design and construction, contribute to a project by undertaking the design and monitoring on site construction to ensure the contractor meets the design targets and quality required for a Passive house. An experienced certified designer will help to streamline the design, avoid abortive work and advise upon optimisation of the design and construction process. By undertaking these roles they can assist with the delivery of robust solutions and help to minimise, and even reduce, both the capital and running costs without compromising the ambition of the project.