The intersection of artful design and building science defines the most successful architecture firms in the sustainable construction space. Few firms embody this fusion as thoroughly as Artisans Group, a Pacific Northwest architecture, design, and sustainability services firm that has designed more homes to the rigorous Passive House standard than any other firm in the […]
In the construction and sustainable building industry, establishing a strong digital presence is just as important as the physical structures being built. Organizations like the Passive House Accelerator have demonstrated that clear, consistent digital guidelines serve as the foundation for effective brand communication across all online channels. These guidelines provide a structured approach to typography,
The push toward ultra-low-carbon housing represents one of the most significant transformations in residential construction today. As building professionals confront the dual challenge of reducing operational energy use while minimizing embodied carbon, projects like Vienna House in Vancouver are demonstrating what is possible when rigorous performance standards meet real-world construction constraints. This multi-family residential project,
The clean energy revolution is reshaping how we generate, distribute, and consume power. While much of the conversation focuses on solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage, one of the most impactful strategies for reducing carbon emissions is hiding in plain sight: the way we design and construct our buildings. Passive House standards represent a
The journey from building code minimums to genuinely high-performance construction has long seemed daunting to many builders and developers. However, Jeff Langford of JDL Homes Vancouver demonstrated in a recent presentation that the gap is narrower than most assume. His Burnaby, British Columbia project proved that a well-designed home using quality materials can leap from
Is Cross Laminated Timber Sustainable? A Comprehensive Analysis for Building Professionals Cross laminated timber (CLT) has emerged as one of the most talked-about building materials in modern construction, praised for its strength, versatility, and renewable origins. Yet for architects, engineers, and building professionals asking whether cross laminated timber is genuinely sustainable, the answer requires a
Why Energy Efficiency Outperforms Natural Gas as a Long-Term Investment For decades, natural gas was promoted as a low-cost bridge fuel for the transition away from coal and oil. Utilities and builders invested heavily in gas infrastructure, from pipelines to gas-fired heating systems. But growing evidence shows that investing in energy efficiency delivers better returns
The construction industry is increasingly focused on making existing buildings perform like new ones. Deep energy retrofits represent one of the most effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions from the built environment, and a project currently underway in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrates exactly how this approach works in practice. A historic carriage house is being
Passive House Townhouse Retrofit: ChoShields Studio Redefines Urban Sustainable Living in Gramercy Urban retrofits represent some of the most challenging yet rewarding opportunities in sustainable architecture. The transformation of a cramped Manhattan townhouse into a high-performance Passive House demonstrates how ambitious design thinking can overcome severe spatial constraints. In Cho of ChoShields Studio, based in
When constructing a high-performance building envelope that meets rigorous Passive House standards, every material and assembly detail plays a vital role in achieving energy efficiency and long-term durability. Among the most critical components of this system is the vapor control membrane, a specialized material engineered to manage moisture diffusion while maintaining exceptional airtightness throughout the
