This year, 2026, marks the 10-year anniversary of Passive House Canada operating under its current name.
Before becoming Passive House Canada, the organization was known as CanPHI West (Canadian Passive House Institute West). Over the past decade, the organization has grown from a small regional initiative into a national voice for high-performance building, helping transform how Canadians design and construct buildings.
Looking back, it’s remarkable how much has changed in Canada’s building sector over those ten years. And looking ahead, it’s exciting to imagine what the next decade might bring.
In the Beginning
When the organization rebranded as Passive House Canada in 2016, the goal was to better align the movement nationally and establish a stronger Canadian identity.
The visual brand adopted a bold red colour, and bi-lingual variation reflecting our Canadian roots and creating a recognizable identity for Passive House in Canada.
Alongside the new branding came the tagline:
Build Better. Feel Better.
This phrase captures both the goal and the outcome of Passive House buildings.
- Build Better speaks to the process — designing and constructing buildings that dramatically reduce energy use, improve durability, and minimize environmental impact.
- Feel Better reflects the results — healthier, quieter, more comfortable spaces for occupants, and the satisfaction shared by everyone involved in creating buildings that improve the built environment.
At the time, one of the biggest challenges was explaining that Passive House isn’t just for houses. The standard applies to all building types — residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial — but in the early years there were very few Canadian examples to demonstrate this.
“Ten years ago Passive House in Canada was still a niche concept. Today it’s shaping everything from student residences to affordable housing and civic infrastructure.”
With optimism about the next decade, Passive House Canada is proud to introduce its 10-year anniversary logo, celebrating the organization’s journey and the growing community behind it.
The past ten years have shown what’s possible when committed professionals, communities, and governments work together to transform how buildings perform.
“The first decade showed that Passive House works in Canada’s climate and construction industry. The next decade will show just how far it can scale.”
