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A Pattern Language from Passive House: ONLINE – OCT 2025
This 4-part virtual workshop presents design problems common to multi-unit buildings, followed by solutions that have worked in previous high-performance projects.
October 21, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT
“A Pattern Language from Passive House” is an interactive workshop that teaches cost-effective planning and design of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit, wood-framed housing.
This virtual live four-part workshop presents design problems common to multi-unit buildings, followed by solutions that have worked in previous high-performance projects. These solutions are organized into “patterns” using a format adapted from A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (et al).
Dates
Day 1: Tuesday October 21, 2025 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (PT) each day
Day 2: Thursday October 23, 2025 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (PT) each day
Day 3: Tuesday October 28, 2025 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (PT) each day
Day 4: Thursday October 30, 2025 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (PT) each day
Course description
How to Design and Build High-Performance Apartment Buildings at the Lowest Possible Cost
“A Pattern Language from Passive House” is an interactive workshop that teaches cost-effective planning and design of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit, wood-framed housing.
This virtual live four-part workshop presents design problems common to multi-unit buildings, followed by solutions that have worked in previous high-performance projects. These solutions are organized into “patterns” using a format adapted from A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander (et al).
The patterns presented in this workshop are drawn from the hundreds of affordable multi-unit buildings constructed to the Passive House standard worldwide, because this is the largest cohort of affordable, low-emission, mid-rise, multi-unit housing. While these solutions are taken from Passive House buildings, they are applicable for residential building design to meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, as well as multi-unit buildings aiming for similar low-TEDI or not-zero energy standards. Likewise, while this workshop focuses on affordable housing, the patterns apply equally to market- and luxury-housing projects.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the rationale for applying Passive House principles to mid-rise, multi-unit residential buildings, including their relevance to affordable housing and high-performance codes.
- Identify architectural and design patterns that improve building performance, comfort, and cost-effectiveness across four key domains: form, mitigation, adaptation, and electrification.
- Apply pattern-based design strategies to support compliance with low-TEDI, Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, and net-zero energy goals.
- Evaluate case studies of completed Passive House projects to assess real-world applications of design and construction patterns.
- Integrate climate-responsive and future-ready design solutions into building projects, including thermal comfort strategies, embodied carbon reduction, and electrification readiness.
Recommended for
This course is ideal for architects, designers, engineers, developers, and Passive House professionals involved in mid-rise, multi-unit residential projects. It’s also valuable for building officials and policymakers seeking practical strategies to support low-emission, affordable housing that meets or exceeds high-performance building standards.
Prerequisites / required background knowledge
No formal prerequisites are required; however, a basic understanding of building science, energy-efficient design, or Passive House principles is recommended. This course is best suited for professionals with experience in architecture, engineering, construction, or development of multi-unit residential buildings. Familiarity with Step Code, TEDI targets, or Passive House certification pathways will be beneficial but not mandatory.
Learning resources provided
- Digital copy of course slides
- Course recording for 30 days after the event has ended
Course Instructors
Cillian Collins – Cillian Collins is an architect registered in Ireland and an associate with Perkins&Will Architects. He is a Certified Passive House Designer with over 10 years of experience across a variety of project types and scales, including Passive House projects in Canada and Ireland. He is Chair of the Passive House Canada Education Committee, playing a key role in curriculum development, teaching, and advocating for the Passive House standard in Canada.
Lorrie Rand – Lorrie Rand is Co-Founder & Director of Sustainability at Habit Studio, an award-winning Halifax-based architectural design practice, specializing in sustainable renovations and custom Passive Houses. She is also the co-founder & Design Director of the ReCover Initiative, a non-profit Deep Retrofit Accelerator focused on developing and scaling deep retrofit solutions in Atlantic Canada.
Lorrie is a building science specialist and is passionate about integrating Passive House performance and Biophilic Design principles into her work. She is a longtime champion and advocate for high performance buildings across the country. Lorrie is a Certified Passive House Designer and Tradesperson and has a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies from the Dalhousie School of Architecture. She spends her off time off the grid at her secluded Bay of Fundy cottage.
Kevin Brown – Kevin has a background in energy efficient design and construction, as well as renovation and heritage building restoration, building to multiple, stringent standards. The completion of a Master of Industrial Design degree, which focused on green design, provided him with the ability to understand design intent, while making sure that the specifications are fit for purpose.
Kevin brings to his work at Nicol Design a background focused on residential construction, specifications of Passive House detailing, review of mechanical systems, and supervision and education of trades. His residential projects include single family homes and green heritage restorations. Kevin’s non-residential projects have included restaurants and heritage sites.
Kevin now runs a Passive House design and consultancy, focusing on new Passive House residential and EnerPHit projects.
Stuart Hood – Stuart, PEng CEng CPHD is a Professional Mechanical Engineer based in Vancouver BC. He is the Design Director of Enersolv Design Build a mechanical contractor and Technical Adviser with Oxygen 8 a manufacturer of Passive House certified ERV’s. Stuart has over 30 years of experience in the design of high-performance buildings. He is an expert in designing large complex passive house buildings and has been at the forefront of the growth of the standard in British Columbia.
Course Fee
PHC Member – $838*
Non-Member – $930
*Member prices will be displayed for current members once added to the cart
**Please note that this course is limited to 20 participants*
Funding Opportunities
At Passive House Canada we are committed to supporting our community in a number of ways. As a potential course participant, you might qualify for government funding that could be applied to any of our courses and certification exams. Please consult the links here to find out more about funding available in your province.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Important: please read our refund policy, available in our Course and Exam FAQs page.
Professional development
Self-reporting basis for industry-related associations.
PHI Credit Points: 16 (TBC)
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