Making the most of all the cogs in a net zero system

What is Passivhaus?

Passivhaus refers to buildings created to rigorous energy efficient design standards so that they maintain an almost constant temperature. Passivhaus buildings are so well constructed, insulated and ventilated that they are able to retain heat from the sun and the activities of their occupants, and hence requiring very little additional heating or cooling.

Key takeaways

Passivhaus and EnerPhit are critical but underused cogs in the net zero machine
While Passivhaus and EnerPHit (the latter, the Passivhaus standard for retrofits) are fundamental to reducing operational carbon emissions in the built environment, they are a currently underutilised mechanism by which to deliver lifetime efficiency and whole life value. Whilst certifying or aligning with these standards is not a standalone solution to achieve a net zero outcome, they are essential components of a broader net zero system.

Net zero is not a one-size-fits-all
Such is the nature of built environment projects (every scheme is in some way unique, whether that be scale, nature or geography) net zero remains a ‘system of things’ which need to be placed within a clear boundary, and then prioritised and managed. With projects having their own specific success criteria, the pathway to net zero should not be a one-size-fits-all.

Incremental progress can be effective
Not all clients may have access to the funds or resources to immediately and fully commit to Passivhaus or EnerPHit standards. However, all clients do have the opportunity to incrementally start to adopt the underlying principles. Working with their delivery partners and value chains to make these principes business-as-usual, is then a realistic and effective approach to achieving certification on future projects.

Shifting our thinking to the left
Engaging the right specialists from the outset of any scheme is critical for identifying opportunities and risks – not just on the journey to net zero, but in relation to all the interconnected topics and activities that it relies on. Waiting until later delivery stages to conduct these analyses can result in frustration, design changes, programme delays and costly fixes.

Funding, ownership and value chains are key
Finding the right funding, ownership and value chains are critical to success. Procurement is a powerful tool here, particularly where clients can incentivise sustainable practices with clear client briefs, reporting mechanisms, and metrics for success.

Whole life value
The Passivhaus standards challenge us to consider (alongside capital cost) the whole life value of an asset. By considering whole life value, clients can make more informed and earlier investment decisions, and thus have a greater chance of creating assets that are both cost-effective and future proofed.

Designing for future resilience
In applying any standard, ensuring that today’s assertions for (in this case) Passivhaus designs can stand the test of time, requires us to understand and be able to design in resilience to future climate trends. As a key part of achieving whole life value, clients must understand regional climate risks and opportunities to help ensure assets are resilient, and are able to deliver - in the long-term - the sustainable performance intended.

Standards that support consistency
New ventures like the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (currently in its pilot phase) will help standardise the way we scope, analyse and report carbon impacts across design, construction, operation and end of life. This will help us more rigorously deliver low carbon and low impact solutions, especially where we overlay best practice approaches such as Passivhaus.

We must continue to adopt and refine the way we apply these net zero critical approaches.

We need to learn from others, be brave in our decision-making, and keep the momentum for our industry: Pick Everard, alongside our parent company the Artelia Group's goal will remain to drive change that helps our clients achieve their net zero targets, creating positive and long-lasting legacies for the built environment.