Passive house design refers to homes that are designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly. They are typically ultra-low energy buildings, avoiding additional heating and cooling functions to instead rely on the local climate to maintain a comfortable temperature within the home. This design philosophy is best implemented when constructing a new home, though it can be incorporated while working on renovations.
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The History of Passive House Design
Passive design is a relatively new concept in the world of architecture, with its earliest origins being traced back to the 1970s. The idea originated with the intent to create comfortable homes in areas where heating was unavailable, with the home itself working with the local climate to create enough warmth for the occupant.
Passive house architects first emerged in Canada and Germany, with the first passive house that resembles today’s standards being constructed in 1991. From there the concept has been developed and improved over time, with the latest estimates listing the number of passive homes in the world to be over 60,000.
What Determines a Passive House?
When designing a passive house, passive house architects must take a “fabric first” approach. This means the focus of the design should be ensuring that the thermal envelope that separates the interiors from the outside world should be optimised to provide a comfortable environment. It must also be properly insulated, airtight, and feature high-quality windows and reliable ventilation systems that allow for optimal heat recovery.
Each passive house must also be designed with its local climate in mind, as each climate produces a different amount of heat and cold. The design of a home allows it to capture the warmth produced by the winter sun and retain it inside, allowing occupants to stay warm without the need for environmentally unfriendly appliances. The same is true for cooling, as passive houses use air movement, thermal mass, and evaporative cooling to lower the temperature.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive House Design
Those living in a passive home will tell you that there’s nothing quite like coming home on a cold day and being greeted by calming natural warmth. The same is true for the gentle coolness that is cultivated during the warmer months, as passive homes create constant fresh air. They also produce less dust, attract fewer insects, and are generally quieter environments when compared to homes that constantly run loud air conditioners and heaters.
As for the disadvantages, all these benefits come at a cost as passive homes draw higher up-front costs when compared to regular homes. They also require architects and builders with meticulous attention to detail, as not everyone possesses the necessary experience to create such a home. Once your passive home has been built, it can also be tricky to add any extensions to the property, as their design needs to align exactly with the rest of the home.
Is Passive House Design Safer?
We are all aware of the terrifying wildfires that caused indescribable damage in Los Angeles at the start of 2025, with countless homes being lost to the flames. One property that managed to withstand the hellish blaze, however, was a passive home located in the Pacific Palisades. As every home around it was lost to the inferno, this passive home managed to withstand the unforgiving flames courtesy of the fire-proofing features present in passive design.
While passive house architects may not state that their homes are guaranteed to survive a fire of this magnitude, it does bring into question whether passive homes are safer than their traditional counterparts. If you are already considering building a passive home for its eco-friendly benefits, then this added protection against fire damage might be enough to get you over the line. The choice may keep you and the ones you care about safe in the future.
Interested in Passive House Design?
At Clements Clarke Architects, we pride ourselves on being one of the best architecture firms Brisbane has to offer. While we do not work on passive design directly, we can help you create homes and buildings with features that are designed with ultra-low energy usage in mind. Contact us on 07 3852 3944 or access our online form to get in touch today and start planning your dream property.
