
The fall 2024 issue of Passive House Accelerator magazine focuses on how passive buildings create stronger and more resilient communities. Some of the highlights include an interview with University of Northern British Columbia's Director of Facilities Management and Capital Planning David Claus, who describes how the UNBC Wood Innovation Research Lab survived the explosion of a building next door ("Resiliency in the Face of Disasters"); commentary on the new Phius REVIVE 2024 ("Phius REVIVE 2024: Charting the Course to Efficient and Resilient Retrofits"); and the story of how the owners of a Passive House in the upper reaches of Michigan fared when their heat went out for a week in January ("Up North Resiliency in Michigan").
Among the many case studies, this issue also contains two standouts by architects who currently live in passive homes. In "Embodied Carbon and Real-World Energy Consumption in a Passive House," Tandem Architecture Écologique Founder Evelyne Bouchard provides data and details about the relationship between embodied carbon and operational carbon using her PHI-certified home in Quebec as an example. In "Sonoran Desert Passive House," Brubaker Architects President David Brubaker shares his reverence for the deserts of Arizona, as well as some of the design challenges he had to overcome while building an absolutely stunning, Phius-certified home just outside of Tucson.
In addition to news and case studies, we also have a new section, Best Practices, which covers topics like adaptive reuse and preservation ("Building Reuse Is Climate Action" by Nakita Reed); accounting for the embodied carbon of building components ("Upfront Carbon Emissions and the Built Environment" by Dyann Stewart); drawing Passive House details ("Drawing Passive House Details: From Sketch to Construction" by Paul Thompson); and meeting Passive House cooling loads ("A Novel Approach to Meeting Passive House Cooling Loads" by Andrew Peel).
We hope you enjoy the issue!
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Articles in this Issue

9/13/24
Phius REVIVE 2024: Charting the Course to Efficient and Resilient Retrofits
Discover expert insights from PHIUS REVIVE 2024 on creating efficient and resilient retrofits, embracing sustainable building practices, and advancing energy-efficient home renovation strategies.

8/16/24
Resiliency in the Face of Disasters
Discover how Passive House design enhances resiliency against natural disasters. Explore sustainable building strategies for disaster preparedness, energy efficiency, and climate adaptability.

9/24/24
Underground Railroad Interpretive Center to Be Showcase of Sustainability
Discover how the Underground Railroad Interpretive Center integrates sustainable building practices and passive house design, creating an inspiring hub for history, green innovation, and community engagement.

7/12/24
Reimagining a Harlem Marketplace
Explore how sustainable design and community engagement are transforming a Harlem marketplace. Discover innovative passive house solutions that support local culture and eco-friendly urban development.

6/28/24
Embodied Carbon and Real-World Energy Consumption in a Passive House
Discover how embodied carbon and real-world energy consumption impact passive house design. Explore sustainable building strategies and the latest trends in eco-friendly construction for lasting efficiency.

7/26/24
Timber Panelized Approach Supports Flexible Housing Solutions
Discover how a timber panelized construction approach offers flexible, sustainable housing solutions. Explore innovative building methods and their role in modern, eco-friendly architecture.

10/10/24
Repurposing the Commons in Lake Oswego
Discover how repurposing The Commons in Lake Oswego supports sustainable design and community spaces. Learn about eco-friendly renovations and innovative Passive House principles in urban redevelopment.

10/3/24
A Celebration of Longevity and Resiliency
Discover how passive house design promotes longevity and resiliency in buildings. Learn sustainable strategies for energy efficiency, durability, and comfort in eco-friendly homes that stand the test of time.

4/26/24
Straw Bale Standout in Uruguay
Discover how a straw bale passive house in Uruguay combines eco-friendly building techniques with energy efficiency. Explore sustainable architecture and innovative green home design solutions.

10/18/24
Sonoran Desert Passive House
Discover how a passive house in the Sonoran Desert uses sustainable design, energy efficiency, and natural materials to achieve comfort, resilience, and minimal environmental impact year-round.

8/2/24
Up North Resiliency in Michigan
Discover how Passive House design enhances resilience in Michigan's northern climate. Learn about energy efficiency, sustainability, and innovative building strategies for cold weather living.

8/22/24
Building Reuse Is Climate Action
Discover how building reuse supports climate action by reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources. Learn sustainable strategies for eco-friendly construction and renovation.

8/30/24
Upfront Carbon Emissions and the Built Environment
Explore the impact of upfront carbon emissions in the built environment. Learn about sustainable building practices, lifecycle analysis, and ways to reduce embodied carbon in construction projects.

7/19/24
Drawing Passive House Details: From Sketch to Construction
Learn how to draw Passive House details from initial sketches to construction-ready documentation. Explore best practices, energy-efficient design strategies, and step-by-step workflow guidance.

5/22/24
A Novel Approach to Meeting Passive House Cooling Loads
Discover innovative strategies for meeting Passive House cooling loads. Explore energy-efficient solutions, sustainable design, and the latest trends in eco-friendly building performance.