We spoke to leading architect and passive house champion Roland Matzig, founder of r-m-p architects, about the future of passive house construction.

What are the key benefits of moving towards passive house construction methods and what are the barriers to its uptake?
There are several key factors which make it necessary for us to increase the amount of buildings we construct according to passive house standards in the future. First of all there is the tremendous responsibility towards the protection of the climate. The Kyoto Protocol requires the international community of states to act promptly and sustainable construction is one way we can lower emissions.

Relating to our buildings, this means energy-efficient new buildings and restoration of existing structures at the highest reasonable level possible.
The most exciting fact about this is that, taking the development of energy prices into consideration, the passive house standard “pays off” sooner too, so it is a smart calculation from an economic point of view.

As regards the cosiness, the comfort and the hygiene, the passive house standard offers the best possible conditions. But the great challenge is the quality of the construction. The passive house standard can only be reached with optimum construction quality, which is not always easy to find in the market and experienced planners and a very good construction team are essential to the success of a passive house building.

What are the main misconceptions people have about passive houses?
This question makes me chuckle somewhat because I have been asked about it so frequently. By far, the most persistent rumour is that one is not allowed to open the windows of a passive house so that one is totally dependent on the ventilation system. Then, there is the absurd picture of living in a plastic bag because the walls cannot “breathe”.

This is all wrong. From my own experiences – and I have been living in a passive house for over 12 years – I can tell you that it is possible to live in such a house and use it in the same way you would a “normal” house. The only difference is that you always breathe fresh and hygienically flawless air in a passive house, and that pleasant temperatures are a given.

What do you see as the most important drivers in passive house construction?
Other passive houses! After many years of pioneering work, the passive house has begun its triumphant march around the globe. There is almost no country or climatic zone without passive houses. As more buildings are developed the faster they spread, because they all present a good example and are copied rapidly.

Thus, it is only a question of time that we will build in passive house standard all around the world.

How have passive house principles evolved since its creation?
The principles are still the same as were proven by Wolfgang Feist’s dissertation. What has changed extensively is the multitude and the price of the components offered. While 20 years ago the windows for the first passive house were expensive, specially designed products, there are more than 120 certified systems today. This makes selection easier for the planner and has influenced the price tremendously. Also, better insulation products as well as ventilation systems with a strongly enhanced efficiency level are constantly entering the market.

What are the most important issues surrounding passive house at the moment?
For me really only one question remains: when will the countries fix their energy standards at passive house level and will this be in time to stop global warming?

How do you see the future of passive house construction developing in the UK? How does this compare to Europe?
Development in the UK in recent times was explosive. Two to three years ago almost nobody knew what a passive house was and today there are even renovations being done at passive house standard. Passive house provides a practical and realistic solution to minimising the carbon emissions from UK buildings.

But it is not a problem to construct a passive house in the UK. If you want a carbon neutral building, the rest can be easily achieved with different renewable forms of energy. As there are many passive house examples in Germany and Austria, copies can be constructed in a very short space of time in all European countries, as well as in the UK. Everything is happening very quickly now.

What do you think needs to be done to increase the uptake of passive house on a global scale?
Just a bit more time! Hopefully not too long!

r-m-p at work

Covering four storeys, this two-dwelling building was designed by r-m-p architects, which has built a number of passive house constructions in the local area of Schriesheim, Germany. Because of the sloped plot the basement is built out of concrete with external insulation. The other three storeys are constructed from timber and use internal insulation.

Located in Neckargemünd, Germany, this residential building consists of a ground floor concrete construction with a two storey timber living space encompassing the passive house envelope. r-m-p architects designed the house to bridge the sloping ground between the front and rear elevations.