Passive House Design

As we navigate the complexities of a changing climate, building sustainably is no longer an option but a necessity. At Snow Architects we now offer a Certified Passive Hose design service, combining a passion for innovative design with a profound commitment to sustainable practices, offsetting our carbon footprint and focusing specifically on Passive House Design principles.

For Snow Architects, the journey to Passive House Certification started during Rob Snow’s architectural degree in 1988 followed by completion of a Masters in Environmental Design in the UK in 1997 and Passive House Certification in January 2022. This working knowledge helps inform the design process and incorporation of passive design principles.

Passive House Certified Design is not the same as passive solar or passive design. For a succinct explanation, watch this video.

Passive House Design is based on these five core principles:

1. Improved thermal insulation.
2. High performance windows.
3. Mechanical ventilation heat recovery.
4. Airtightness.
5. Thermal bridge free construction

Click to Enlarge. Diagram courtesy of Passive House International

Passive House buildings use very little energy for heating and cooling, often as little as 10% of a conventional design, and are designed to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, with 24/7 ventilation (heat recovery) without the need for excessive heating and cooling systems.

The Passive House standard is primarily used in Europe but is gaining popularity in other parts of the world and slowly gaining traction in Australia, something we are endeavouring to accelerate. As a practice, Snow architects are now working on some Passive House designs.

Our Passive House Design Service offers the following benefits:

• Expert advice to optimise your home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort, all while adhering to the strict criteria of the Passive House standard. We will guide you throughout the process to achieve official Passive House certification.

• Energy Modelling, leveraging the most advanced tools, is used to conduct comprehensive energy modelling to anticipate your home’s energy consumption accurately.

• Energy Efficiency: Our homes are designed to be up to 90% more energy- efficient than standard houses, reducing your energy costs significantly.

• Comfort: With meticulous attention to insulation, air sealing, and thermal bridge-free design, Passive Houses provide unmatched thermal comfort all year round.

• Indoor Air Quality: Through advanced ventilation strategies, our designs ensure fresh air and ideal humidity levels, leading to a healthier living environment.

• Sustainability: By minimizing energy consumption, Passive Houses substantially reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Australian Government web site yourhome.com is Australia’s guide to Environmentally Sustainable Homes and covers all aspects, passive design, material, energy, water etc. Click this link for more information:

The International Passive House Institute have produced very useful document supplying information for property owners, developers, contractors and clients: