“I was working as a physicist. I read that the construction industry had experimented with adding insulation to new buildings and that energy consumption had failed to reduce. This offended me – it was counter to the basic laws of physics. I knew that they must be doing something wrong. So, I made it my mission to find out what, and to establish what was needed to do it right.” (Wolfgang Feist)
In the late 1980s, Feist began developing the Passivhaus standard to help eliminate the energy performance gap present in the construction sector. Since then Passivhaus has expanded massively in the UK. There have been pioneering schemes delivered for a variety of projects, including swimming pools, high rise retrofits and SEN schools. This has resulted in whole life carbon and cost savings being realised.
The use of the design criteria has also contributed to a reduction in fuel poverty in social housing schemes where Passivhaus has been delivered. This includes the RIBA Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street project, as well as local schemes, such as Bodmin Road, Plymouth.
Tom Roberts of Warm: Low Energy Building Practice, based in Plymouth, has extensive experience in low energy buildings and use of the Passivhaus standard. He will give a presentation about the PassivHaus accreditation and explore its use in the UK construction industry. He will use local examples and answer audience questions.
This talk is open to all. Visit the ICE event webpage to book a place or email yasemin.gurbuz@ice.org.uk for more information.