This may be a truism, but learning really is a journey, not a destination. I try to learn all the time—sometimes things everyone around me already seems to know, sometimes things I’ve forgotten, and occasionally things I wish I never knew. Don’t worry—there’s none of the latter here today!
I began my adventure at Passive House Canada one year ago. In my very first week, I was at the Passive House Canada Conference in Ottawa—drinking from the fire hose! Since then, I’ve loved learning about, and from, the Passive House community. The passion that so many practitioners bring to making an impact—both locally and globally—is truly inspiring.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in Essen, Germany, immersed once again in learning at the 28th International Passive House Conference. Seeing practitioners and enthusiasts from around the world was humbling. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of these important conversations around sustainability, comfort, social and economic impacts, and energy use. Each exchange is an opportunity not only to learn, but also to contribute—to shape thinking around building intent, design, and performance.
The presenters, exhibitors, and attendees all shared a remarkable sense of purpose: better building performance for a better lived experience. And importantly, a shared optimism—that meaningful change is still possible.
Following the presentations, I joined a Sunday building tour focused on energy-efficient homes in Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund. It was diverse, fascinating, and thought-provoking. Perhaps because I am neither a designer nor an engineer, I found myself especially drawn to the lived experience within these buildings.
A few observations stood out:
- In a student residence, window handles in the common hallway had been removed – or perhaps never installed. Was this a response to student misuse? It seemed odd that such a carefully designed building included a detail that felt unresolved or reactive.
- In a small co-op community of about 40 residents in 25 units, every decision – past and ongoing – was made by consensus. It was inspiring to see homeowners so deeply engaged and knowledgeable about how their building functions. At the same time, I wondered how new residents navigate the learning curve. Why don’t we include simple tools – like QR codes in mechanical rooms – to support that journey?
- In a Passive House rental building, a resident graciously welcomed a busload of visitors into her apartment on a Sunday afternoon. When asked about her experience, she expressed frustration: too warm, not enough fresh air. As someone attempted to explain Passive House principles – including nighttime window use – she raised a valid concern. Living on the ground floor, she was understandably unwilling to compromise her sense of safety. She wished us luck with our “new building standard.”
These moments point to an important challenge: as a community, we need to better bridge the gap between theory and lived experience. The buildings we design and construct don’t always align with what feels intuitive or easy for the people who live in them.
If we want Passive House principles to move from niche to norm, we must become better storytellers as well as better builders; connecting design intent with lived reality and ensuring that the promise of high performance is not only delivered, but understood, trusted, and embraced by the people who ultimately call these buildings home.
And in that spirit of continued learning, we turn to the next Passive House Canada Conference. As PHC celebrates its 10th anniversary, I encourage anyone who has not yet registered for our annual conference to do so. Space is still available – but filling quickly. This year’s program offers a rich and diverse lineup of presentations that is sure to satisfy any learning appetite. We are also excited to welcome Seth Klein as a keynote speaker. His perspective on tackling climate change as a national project – and the role high-performance buildings can play – will be both compelling and timely.
One final note. In Essen, I learned something from Wolfgang Feist’s closing remarks that surprised me. In reflecting on 30 years of the Passive House Institute, he generously acknowledged those who came before him. One key insight: the first Passive House wasn’t a house at all; it was a ship. Maybe you already knew that – or had forgotten. Either way, it’s delightful knowledge.
See you at the Passive House Canada Conference.
Come curious. Leave confident.
