Panel discussion - Is Passivhaus sustainable?

Is Passivhaus sustainable? was the question asked at Nicholas Hare Architects' panel discussion at our Barnsbury Square office on 16 October. Watch the video from the event here.

Speakers included Maiia Guermanova from bere:architects Mark Dowson from Buro Happold, Jim Martin of Martin Arnold Associates and Tim Mander of Integral Engineering Design.

Maiia opened the debate with the performance results from bere:architects highly acclaimed Mildmay Centre. Extensive monitoring proved the energy results to be better than expected. This very particular building, achieved Passivhaus, not EnerPHit certification, and was completed for not much more than an equivalent building to Building Regs. spec.

Mark's challenge was equally great, faced with a draughty, uninsulated, end of terrace 1960's house on the Thamesmead Estate.. Valuable lessons were learnt on this demonstration project, not least of all recognition that Passivhaus cannot practically and economically be applied to all retrofit projects.

This was supported by Jim Martin, providing cost advice for the Thamesmead project. Underlying his entertaining delivery was a concern about diminishing returns between carbon and cost reductions.

Tim also took a pragmatic approach. He argued for an aspiration towards Passivhaus for retrofit, but stressed the increasing importance of embodied energy and whole life carbon analysis.

During the Q&A, sparks flew. Justin Bere took a stand and argued for a better understanding of the more technical issues associated with meeting the standard. There seems to be no question that the concept will eventually deliver, but we all have a lot to learn in the meantime.