Passive House Podcast

In this episode of the Passive House Accelerator Podcast, Ilka Cassidy and Mary James are joined by sustainability experts Amy Cornelius, Paul Thompson, and Joe Messier as they delve into a groundbreaking retrofit project in Philadelphia. This six-part demonstration series, hosted by Green Building United, examines a project aligning with the new Phiuss REVIVE standard and the Living Building Challenge core principles. Listen as they discuss the integration of these standards, the challenges of retrofitting row homes, and the educational impact of their collaborative series. Discover key takeaways, innovative approaches to sustainability, and the surprising synergies between these certification programs. Tune in for an insightful exploration of how theory meets practice in sustainable building retrofits.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, co-hosts Jay Fox and Mary James speak with Gaelen McKee, Founder of Brooklyn Solar Works. They dive in to the company's origins, current projects, including work with co-ops and commercial buildings, and their plans for expanding into ground-mounted solar installations. Galen also touches on the impacts of tariffs, permits for residential batteries, and the future of whole-home electrification in New York City. https://brooklynsolarworks.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, Matthew Cutler Welsh interviews Jessica, a high-performance building consultant at Climate Shore in Adelaide. They discuss Jessica's transition from energy efficiency compliance to specializing in high-performance building with a focus on mitigating moisture risks. Jessica emphasizes the importance of proper construction practices and ventilation in preventing mold, touching on the challenges of getting builders and homeowners to adopt better practices. She highlights the relevance of Passive House standards and her involvement in promoting building science in Australia. Jessica is also the founder and co-host of the Build Insite podcast, where she explores building science, performance-based design, and practical strategies to deliver healthier, more efficient homes. Her expertise encompasses blower door testing, NHERS compliance, condensation risk modelling, and navigating NCC‑2022 regulations—all aimed at improving standards in residential and commercial construction. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-allen-esd/ https://www.climasure.com.au/ https://www.endurobuilders.com.au/ https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/?v=lfcm https://www.instagram.com/building.sciology/ https://www.instagram.com/building.sciology/ https://www.tiktok.com/@building.sociology 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 Hosue Podcast, Zack Semke welcomes Michael Quast, the new CEO of Passive House Canada. Michael shares his diverse background in construction, business development, and media, emphasizing his passion for sustainable building. They discuss Michael's journey to Passive House Canada, his experience with straw bale construction, and his focus on fostering collaboration and breaking down silos within the sustainability sector. This episode highlights the importance of engaging both the building community and consumers to promote high-performance, energy-efficient buildings. https://www.passivehousecanada.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. https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/passive-house-helping-shape-state-energy-codes https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-ep-36-robyn-wark-bc-hydro https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/podcast/passive-house-podcast-encore-ep-robyn-wark-bc-hydro

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James interviews Stephen O'Shea, head of Sustainable Construction at Carin Homes. Steven discusses the company's focus on large-scale residential projects, their commitment to Passive House standards, and the significant benefits for residents. He shares his journey from architecture to sustainable design, training strategies for implementing these standards, and the ecological measures taken on building sites. The episode also covers the need for public education on Passive House and previews an upcoming conference in collaboration with the Passive House Trust. https://www.cairnhomes.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 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 Kaja, Jacob Racusim, 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 McCarlton 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, Christina 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.

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.

In this eighth episode of The Reimagine Edit (TRE) series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of insights from Ed May (bldgtyp), Nakita Reed (Quinn Evans), Tessa Bradley (Artisans Group), Bev Craig (MassCEC), Mike Steffen (Walsh Construction), Lisa White (Co-Executive Director of Phius), and Jonsara Ruth and Allison Mears (leaders of Healthy Materials Lab). Quotes: Jonsara Ruth: "If everybody knows a little bit more, we actually have the ability to steer things in the right direction." Alison Mears: "We have to be hopeful. We have to be vigilant. And we have to use our practice for good." Ed May: "These things are really hard to disentangle... they work together as a whole system." Nakita Reed: "We’re on the same team, but here’s what we’re trying to go forward." Tessa Bradley: "You're making the rules of your own game." Bev Craig: "The more educated and experienced they were, the lower the premium was." Mike Steffen: "We're doing it to create room in the budgets… to pull the better buildings off." Lisa White: "We’re trying to be… a shield and a sword against climate change." 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 Mary James and Jay Fox chat with Sarah Lewis, Research and Policy Director at the Passive House Trust. They explore Scotland’s groundbreaking push toward mandatory Passive House standards for new buildings. Sarah dives into the motivations behind the proposed legislation, lessons from Germany and Brussels, and the vital role of embodied carbon. She also explores the practical implications—from fuel poverty and ventilation standards to supply chain readiness and the challenge of scaling EnerPHit retrofits. With clarity and passion, Sarah unpacks how policy can drive meaningful change in the built environment. https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast, Matthew Cutler-Welsh talks with Sharon Robinson of Smart Living Spaces. Sharon shares her journey from standard design work to advocating for high-performance, affordable housing. She talks about how rethinking client communication, redefining “standard plans,” and focusing on building science fundamentals like heat recovery, passive design, and smart construction systems can shift the industry. https://www.smartlivingspaces.nz/ 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.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast Architect Nat Madson and structural engineer Lauren Piepho of HGA join us to talk about Barry Mills Hall and the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies—Bowdoin College’s first mass timber buildings and the first of their kind in Maine. They share the story behind the design and construction, from early ideas sparked by the college’s pine-filled campus and carbon neutrality goals, to navigating mass timber systems, embodied carbon, and the buildings’ architectural dialogue with campus history. Barry Mills Hall and the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies: https://hga.com/projects/bowdoin-college-barry-mills-hall-and-center-for-arctic-studies/ Bowdoin College’s case study of the project: https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2020/pdf/furthering-mass-timber-construction---hga---consigli---bowdoin-college-22.pdf 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.