This article was originally published on the Phius website.
After a one-year hiatus, the Phius Passive Projects Design Competition has returned! For the last decade, the competition has recognized trailblazing passive building projects from across North America, shining a spotlight on the best work in the field. And we can’t wait to see what this year’s competition brings.
The entry deadline is August 29, so if you are ready to go, submit your project today!
This year’s winners will be announced during the opening plenary of PhiusCon 2025 on October 7 in Milwaukee, offering a national stage to the Phius Certified projects that are selected as the best of the best. The competition is a unique opportunity to showcase your cutting-edge Phius passive building designs, and we’re excited to share more information about it below!
Why Enter?
The Phius Passive Projects Design Competition recognizes innovative building design across all climate zones and building typologies. Entering is an opportunity for your firm to earn national recognition and for your work to be elevated in the passive building community.
Winners receive:
A one-year Phius Alliance membership (or extension)
Featured case studies on the Phius website
Coverage in Green Building & Design magazine
Social media and press promotion
Image of Best Overall Project displayed on the Phius homepage
Award Categories
One winner and one honorable mention will be selected for each of the categories listed below. Projects that fit multiple criteria are eligible for recognition in multiple categories.
Categories are:
Single-Family
High-Rise Multifamily (5+ stories)
Low-Rise Multifamily
Affordable
Commercial/Institutional
Source Zero
Retrofit
Meet the Jurors
As we do for each iteration of the Phius Passive Projects Design Competition, we have assembled a panel of expert jurors with wide-ranging expertise in the field of passive building.
This year’s jurors are:
Katrin Klingenberg – Visionary Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Phius and passive building pioneer
Sean Meyers – Wisconsin-based architect and Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC®) overseeing sustainable real estate development at Threshold Development Group
Jonathan Bean – Phius Board Member, University of Arizona professor and design-marketing researcher advancing passive building strategies in desert climates
John Woelfing – Past design competition winner and mixed-use design specialist with a focus on affordable housing as Principal of Dattner Architects
Laura Briggs – Co-Founder of BriggsKnowles Studio and architecture educator focused on super efficient buildings and solar integration
Get Your Project Recognized
If you have completed a Phius Certified project in the last couple of years, the Phius Passive Projects Design Competition is your opportunity to share it with the world. Enter your project to find out how it stacks up against the most forward-thinking Phius buildings in North America!
The deadline to enter is August 29. View a sample entry form to make sure you have all the necessary information before entering.