The January 2026 issue of Architectural Record features an article by Joann Gonchar, FAIA, exploring how the International Passive House standard is shaping fire-resilient rebuilding efforts one year after the devastating Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires. The article highlights the California Rebuild Competition, organized by Passive House Network (PHN) and Passive House California (PHCA). The competition challenged architects to demonstrate how high-performance design, airtight construction, and balanced ventilation can contribute…
The Greenbuild International Conference + Expo will take place November 4–7, 2025 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Visit the Passive House California (PHCA) booth in the Expo to connect with us and learn about the high-performance International Passive House Construction Standard (for new construction and retrofits). We look forward to meeting you and discussing the future of energy-efficient, fire-resilient, and smoke-proof buildings that deliver exceptional indoor air quality, superior energy performance, and year-round comfort. FIND OUT…
AB368 (Passive House Bill) passed through the appropriations committee. The goal is to consider adopting the International Passive House Construction Standard standards, as an alternative compliance pathway within California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24). This initiative aims to promote the construction of high-performance, energy-efficient buildings that contribute to the state's climate goals. Passing the Appropriations Committee indicates that the bill has been reviewed for its fiscal impact and deemed viable…
Passive House California (PHCA) and the Passive House Network (PHN) shared a joint booth at the 2025 California Green Building Conference, hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) in San Francisco on May 22, 2025. Throughout the event, various PHCA members presented their Passive House projects, showcasing innovative designs and high-performance building strategies aligned with the Passive House standard. [caption id="attachment_6495" align="alignnone" width="259"] Brian Pearson and Susie Harris at the PHCA and PHN booth[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6494"…
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Passive House California , October 21, 2021 -
European Cultural Centre live online YouTube hosted event 2021 Venice Architecture Biennial Temporal.haus is a climate refugee and mixed use midrise and food truck pavilion proposal for Los Angeles by Hyperlocal Workshop, exploring the promise of larger scale zero carbon construction and operation. This discussion explores the strategies of radical low embodied carbon construction with the developer of the wooden nail system LignoLoc in mass timber and developer of the…
The International Passive House Association (iPHA) has created a new blog series aiming to introduce our international partner associations and the great work they are doing to the wider, global audience. The International Passive House Association (iPHA) was founded in 2010 to support the growing global Passive House community, disseminate information on the Passive House Standard and foster a greater public understanding of its significance. iPHA partners with independent Passive…
The International Passive House Open Days are a great opportunity to learn about Passive House and energy efficient buildings. Get in contact with current owners and learn first-hand what it is like to live in a Passive House and what the building or retrofitting process was like. Some open houses and buildings will even have professionals on hand with the knowledge and tools to explain the technical details of Passive…
Small Planet Supply is a North-American company that provides high-performance building products. They are dedicated to the mission of creating both classic and modern high-performing buildings, including those designed and built to both Zero Net Energy and Passive House standards. In addition to supplying high-performance building products and systems they provide education, and training in the use of energy-efficient building materials and practices. Small Planet Supply is passionate champion of the…
“The greatest trend we see today in constructing or renovating sustainable buildings is the movement toward evidence-based performance." Presentation Overview It is time to move beyond wanting to do the right thing to having the tools to ensure success in creating advanced buildings. The building industry’s fundamentals have not changed: Reach the finish line on time, on budget, and with no surprises — then manage in order to maximize revenue/profit, minimize…
Passive House Buildings are comfortable, affordable and sustainable. This video is explaining the Passive House concept and how it is relevant for California. CLICK HERE TO WATCH and learn more about Passive House in the 18 minute video.
