To Passivhaus…and Beyond

Passivhaus (Passive House) is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the buildings ecological footprint. But it is much more that sounds…

• It holistically considers comfort, insulation, ventilation and efficiency.

• It achieves this by simple known construction principles

• it is not just for houses, three large buildings at Monash University have just been completed to this standard.

• It is starting to be mandated around the world.

• In addition to the PH standard we can add energy generation, restorative ecology and occupancy level.

We have such a long way to go and not much time. The technology is available, but buildings built today will last an average of 50 years and even our new buildings are not yet required to be built for zero carbon.

The future of construction in Australia lies on this path if we are to control greenhouse gases to make life bearable for our grandchildren. Several years ago the city of Brussels in Belgium required all new buildings to meet this standard. Vancouver in Canada is using planning policy to encourage its adoption and will have it mandated by

2030 for all new buildings. Existing buildings when refurbished or sold will need to be upgraded. New York City is on a similar track.

So what does this mean for the Church’s buildings? Consider a few ideas:

• It can be designed to heat and cool itself without fossil fuel energy.

• It could be a net exporter of energy.

• Some external coatings absorb pollutants.

• Higher fabric standards become viable for buildings in constant use. We might therefore consider partnering with someone that can use part of our buildings when we don’t need them for church purposes. Designed for shared use is a sustainable way forward. For instance: a childcare centre could use much of the building and its car park Monday to Friday daytime if there was good storage for each activity.

• The church kitchen, built to standard, could usefully serve a café or catering business all week, providing valuable hospitality and catering for weekday uses on-site.

• Passivhaus has a refurbishment standard for upgrading existing buildings

Environmentally, socially and spiritually beneficial buildings. Now there’s a claim.