REPORT: Wolfgang Feist UK Passivhaus Tour
The Passivhaus Trust invited Prof. Wolfgang Feist to the UK this summer to explore how Passivhaus can help the UK meet its low energy building targets and to advise those involved in delivering early projects on specific points they might have found challenging. Professor Feist also spoke about research from the Passivhaus Institut that may help with future work.
The Passivhaus tour began in London on June 30th 2012 in collaboration with the AECB, and moved on to Glasgow on July 2nd and Cardiff on July 3rd, with support from Strathclyde University, Sust at Architecture & Design Scotland, and Cardiff University.
Advanced Technical Masterclasses
Prof. Feist conducted an Advanced Technical Masterclass in London and in Glasgow. Delegates included many of the UK Passivhaus experts and pioneers which provided a platform for in-depth technical discussions and exchange of knowledge and problem solving.
Among the topics discussed were:
- communal or individual ventilation systems
- the detailing, installation and commissioning of MVHR
- pros & cons of the various ways to overcome summer overheating and
- techniques and examples of retrofitting historic stone and timber frame buildings.
The question of whether the EnerPHit standard is likely to work in the UK was also discussed and compared to the experience in Germany and Austria.
Alan Clarke, who has been the Passivhaus Consultant on a number of Passivhaus projects including the Passivhaus schools in Wolverhampton commented, “It was interesting to hear some thoughts on ventilation, how the ancillary elements to the Passivhaus specification for acoustics and commissioning mean that MVHR is not causing problems in Passivhaus dwellings. The masterclass included discussion of retrofit airtightness, especially joist ends. The information on changes to OSB glue content and air permeability was useful and topical, as was discussion of flat roof membranes and vapour permeability.”
Technical Seminars
Professor Wolfgang Feist was involved in a technical seminar in each venue – London, Glasgow and Cardiff. Prof Feist opened the proceedings in each case with his talk on ‘The application of Passivhaus in Germany and lessons for the UK’.
In London, Peter Warm from Warm:low energy building practice responded to Prof Feist’s presentation with some examples of building industry practices in the UK that might be different from those elsewhere in Europe. A technical panel of Passivhaus experts then discussed the uptake and application of Passivhaus in the UK.
Speakers included:
- Alan Clarke, an Independent Passivhaus consultant who addressed the issue of ventilation systems in Passivhaus buildings
- Jonathan Hines of Architype talked about design philosophy and cost providing case studies of recently certified schools,
- Fran Bradshaw of Anne Thorne Architects talked about pressing issues in refurbishment to Passivhaus standards and
- Jon Seaman of Integrity Building talked about quality assurance during construction from a contractor’s point of view.
Prof Feist commented on each of the speaker’s issues raised. The session concluded with a vibrant Q&A session and exciting debate, which continued over a Thai lunch in a nearby restaurant.
Peter Warm also ran a seminar on ‘An introduction to the Passivhaus standard and PHPP’, which took place alongside Prof. Feist’s masterclass. The seminar which was well received was a great opportunity for those relatively new to Passivhaus to gain an insight to the Passivhaus standard and the short exercises tested their knowledge on low energy building design.
Lisa Iszatt who attended Pete Warm’s seminar said, ‘The session provided a really good balance of historical background, built examples and methodology, and we covered a lot of ground in a short space of time. The pace allowed for a good overview whilst going into quite some detail in places. It made me feel very enthusiastic about Passivhaus and I will definitely be exploring it further’.
The Glasgow Technical Seminar investigated whether the Passivhaus standard was the way to meet Scotland’s low energy building targets. Speakers included a client, occupant, designer and contractor from some of the first Passivhaus buildings in Scotland, along with Paul Tuohy from Strathclyde University and Gavin Peart of the Scottish Executive. Paul talked about the need for robust quality assurance on all low energy buildings, in light of some of the performance difficulties found on one of the early Scottish Passivhaus projects, whilst Gavin described the policy framework for low energy and sustainable buildings in Scotland and how Passivhaus might fit within this.
Speakers included:
- Graham Drummond, of Passivhaus Associates and Ronnie Hair, his tenant who talked about the quality assurance needed to deliver a certified Passivhaus – Craigrothie - and the quality of the resulting building for its occupants.
- Mark Siddall, an independent architect, who talked about the design rigour needed to achieve the Passivhaus standard on a group of timber-frame bungalows at the Racecourse in Sunderland
- Stephen Good of CCG, who talked about the development of local Passivhaus products and the need for manufacturers to take a role in installation in order to ensure that quality and performance requirements are met, using the Dormont Estate housing project as an example.
Mark Siddall pointed out, "The commitment to delivering buildings that perform in practice as well as theory is paramount. One of the great things about the people that are engaged with Passivhaus buildings is that they are willing to publicly enter into an open and honest discussion about things that really work and things that don’t, a stark contrast to much of the construction industry. It was for this reason that I found the events both refreshing and uplifting."
The Cardiff Technical Seminar concentrated on the Welsh achievements in Passivhaus buildings. Colin King, Senior Technical Advisor to the Welsh Government on the Building Regulations gave an insight into the Welsh low energy buildings policy and how it might be difficult to integrate Passivhaus into the existing framework. Professor Feist assured everyone that integrating the Passivhaus standard into building regulations was also a long and difficult process in Germany, and here as well as there this process relies on committed enthusiasts and experts to push the standard forward to prove that it is feasible and cost effective.
The session then looked at case studies of some of the very first Passivhaus buildings in the UK:
- Mark Tiramani, owner and occupier of Y Foel, the first certified UK Passivhaus, gave an inspiring presentation and brought along long rolls of monitored data for inspection
- John Williamson of JPW construction and David Bradley of Powys County Council talked about the first non-domestic Passivhaus, Canolfan Hyddgen.
- Nick Newman from Bere Architects talked about the first Welsh Passivhaus social housing schemes- the Larch and Lime Houses, for which excellent monitoring data was provided. These projects had also used a local company, CP Joinery, to make and install their own Passivhaus certified triple glazed windows.
- Martin Jones, Managing Director of CP Joinery, demonstrated how a local supply chain can be successfully created and local craftspeople effectively trained.
Mark Siddall, who has worked on Gentoo’s Passivhaus Racecourse scheme sums up his experience from the tour, "The range of topics that were addressed in the masterclass was diverse; a clear indication of the challenges that beset the designers. Having Dr. Wolfgang Feist available to discuss and address questions was a tremendous opportunity that was not to be missed. I had a great time and gained a great deal of new insight, so much so that I am already looking forward to the UK Passivhaus Conference later this year."
See all the presentations from the Tour here.
See photos from the Tour here.
About the Passivhaus Trust
The Passivhaus Trust was launched in the UK in October 2010 and is affiliated with the Passivhaus Institut in Germany via the International Passive House Association (iPHA). The Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on research, education and policy campaigns around the application of Passivhaus in the UK. Membership is open to any organisation with an interest in Passivhaus, and includes free membership of the iPHA and access to its Passipedia database, as well as discounts on training, promotion of projects and involvement in the Trust’s working groups.
The events on the Tour were supported by:
The events on the Tour were sponsored by:
9th July 2012
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