Passive House Institute

The Passive House Institute (PHI) is an independent research institute directed by Dr. Wolfgang Feist.

The Institute is committed to careful scientific methodology in its work as well as to the principles of human dignity, perceiving one of its most important duties as being the preservation of decent living conditions both for our generation and all generations to come.

This drive has motivated PHI’s research in the field of energy efficient construction, for which Dr. Wolfgang Feist received the German Environmental Award in 2001 and the International Environmental Prize of the City of Gothenburg in 2003.

As a matter of principle, all research conducted by the Institute is transparent. PHI insists that all relevant results be published; this principle has been followed without exception.

Neither the Institute nor Dr. Wolfgang Feist hold shares in manufacturing or other companies, the only exception being limited shares in renewable energy power plants, and no contributions are made to the PHI by any third parties.

PHI does not favour the use of any particular products nor does it hold any patents or protected utility models for any such products, with the exception of the Passive House design Package, a design tool developed by the Institute. The PHI logo, however, is a registered trademark and its use is restricted to products meeting the stringent requirements set by the Institute.

The Passive House Institute’s recommendations for certain measures, such as thermal protection, are solely based on the fact that these measures have proven to be highly effective in the past. Thermal protection, in particular, yields vast energy savings and improved levels of comfort. While thermal insulation, heat recovery and passive solar energy use are not an end in themselves, they serve a key purpose: they have proven to be the most effective means of reducing energy consumption as well as preserving and improving the building substance.

Current and previous projects conducted by the Passive House Institute include:

• Monitoring, evaluation and publication of measurement results from the worlds first Passive House in Darmstadt Kranichstein
• Climate independent definition of the Passive House standard
• Scientific coordination of the research group on cost efficient passive houses since 1996; this working group published more than 40 comprehensive proceedings so far (2010)
• Scientific coordination and general evaluation of the European demonstration project CEPHEUS within which the first European Passive House developments were built in five countries between 1998 and 2001
• Scientific evaluation of the first Passive House office building in Cölbe near Marburg, Germany
• Definition of requirements for components suitable for Passive House
• Organization of the annual International Passive House Conferences
• Development and distribution of the Passive House design Package (PHPP), the key tool for the successful design of Passive Houses
• The “Passive House Mountain Academy”, an informal meeting to discuss past achievements, current questions, activities and developments, as well as future objectives.
  

For further information on PHI research projects and activities, please visit the Passive House Institute's website.