Passivhaus proves popular at Futurebuild 2024

What an incredible turnout it was – our busiest Passivhaus seminars yet at Futurebuild! The Passivhaus Trust was delighted to engage with so many inspiring attendees. We were blown away by the enthusiasm in our Passivhaus activities at this year’s dynamic Futurebuild 2024.

Passivhaus, Net Zero, & the Future Homes Standard | Image credit: Passivhaus Trust

Over three days in London, the industry congregated to discuss and delve into the latest strides in construction and emerging technologies steering us towards a net-zero carbon future. Passivhaus stole the spotlight like never before, captivating an ever-growing audience that recognise its prowess as an ideal route to achieving net-zero.

The Trust had the pleasure of participating in numerous thought-provoking discussions and delivered two compelling seminars.

Passivhaus, net zero, & the future homes standard

Passivhaus Trust CEO Jon Bootland kicked off our first session as the enthusiastic audience spilled out from the Building stage. Rachel Mitchell (Passivhaus Trust) provided a comprehensive comparison of Passivhaus to existing and future building standards, while Tom Gwilliam (Etude) engaging cake analogy emphasized the importance of investing in building fabric. Marion Gray (ECD Architects) navigated the real challenges of delivering net zero, sharing insights from a retrofit case study with residents in situ.

Attendees were encouraged to actively participate in the Future Homes Standard consultation, as the deadline is extended to March 27th. The session underlined the significance of having a say in shaping the future of sustainable construction.

Passivhaus first-in-class across the UK

The conference highlighted that Passivhaus extends beyond residential structures. Sally Godber (WARM) chaired the "Passivhaus first-in-class" session showcasing examples of groundbreaking non-domestic Passivhaus projects throughout the UK.

Steven Rankin (Architype) presented a sustainable school project as a brilliant urban infill, highlighting the maturing market. Ian Hanton (Central Bedfordshire Council) provided a client's perspective on delivering modern, high-quality care homes with a Passivhaus approach, educating the audience on the lessons learned throughout the process. Tomasz Jemiol (Stride Treglown) discussed the challenges and progress in delivering supersized student accommodation to Passivhaus standards.

PHT members & networking

Advantage Austria and ASBP hosted a vibrant networking session on Wednesday, providing a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with fellow members of the Passivhaus community. Throughout Futurebuild 2024, it was amazing to see so many Passivhaus Trust members actively contribute to other speaking sessions and exhibitions, enriching the discourse on technology, products, and services within the industry.

As Futurebuild 2024 concluded, it confirmed Passivhaus as a catalyst in the journey towards a sustainable built environment. The conference served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, showcasing the versatility of Passivhaus in diverse building types and reinforcing its pivotal role in achieving net-zero carbon.

The inaugural National Retrofit Conference proved to be a thought-provoking addition, sparking essential discussions on enhancing the UK's housing stock through deep retrofit solutions. The conversations centered on improving occupant health and comfort and shed light on the critical aspects of retrofitting to reach a net zero future in the UK.