2023 reflections & ones to watch in 2024.

What a year the Passivhaus Trust had in 2023! From showcasing sophisticated exemplar projects to delivering the biggest UK Passivhaus conference to date (while braving the Scottish weather), we reflect on a packed year and spotlight ones to watch for 2024!

2023 Highlights

The power of policy

The Scottish Government agreed to introduce a game-changing policy setting new minimum environmental design standards for all new build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard. In October, the Trust travelled to the University of Edinburgh for our biggest UK Passivhaus Conference to date. ‘Scotland leads the way’. Over 600 delegates joined us (in-person & online) to hear a keynote speech from Scottish Government Minister Patrick Harvie and celebrate all that Scotland is already doing to deliver buildings to the Passivhaus (or equivalent) standard. From ambitious policy to innovative funding frameworks and openly sharing delivery challenges, the sense of community and shared purpose was inspiring.

Passivhaus projects grow

The UK has almost 3000 certified Passivhaus units at the end of 2023 (more stats to follow next month in our projects newsletter!) As well as a growing number of Passivhaus projects, we continue to see an increasing number of sizable, more sophisticated Passivhaus solutions.

From bill-busting health centres to bio-based self-builds, the 2023 Passivhaus Awards proved Passivhaus can apply to any typology and open data-driven design dialogues. Last summer, the Trust celebrated its 13th anniversary & congratulated Winners at the 2023 UK Passivhaus Awards Ceremony with over 200 attendees.

We launched a new certified Passivhaus project map to make finding a Passivhaus near you easier. St Sidwell's Point was certiifed as the UK's first Passivhaus leisure centre & indoor pool.

Increasing Passivhaus education & training

As well as releasing ten Passivhaus publications last year, the 2023 PHT calendar was busting with Passivhaus events & activity! Our standout ‘How to build a Passivhaus’ series covered essential delivery topics and launched our newly revised Good Practice Guide’ with handy quick do & don't tips.

Councils are still proving they can, and social housing remains one of the largest sectors adopting Passivhaus in the UK - The popular Passivhaus Social Housing series explores the business case for a whole-house approach, spotlights inspirational case studies, and discusses what those who are already on the Passivhaus journey have learnt. The must-not-miss series continues in 2024.

Other training initiatives include new strategic training partners, a new Design Performance course available to all RIBA schools of Architecture across the UK, advanced masterclasses, intermediate seminars, introductory site visits and much more!

What not to miss in 2024!

Passivhaus Large and Complex Masterclass 2024

New year, new skills? If you have not already, check out one of the certified Passivhaus training courses and sharpen your building performance design & modelling skills. 2024 kick-started with a technical bang as we introduced our Large + Complex Passivhaus Masterclass Series in January. Enrich your practical & technical knowledge with large-scale-Passivhaus-focused sessions. Join us for the entire lunchtime learning series.
The Passivhaus team have been busy working on a new and improved members directory. With new features and benefits, there has never been a better time to become a PHT member and join a global Passivhas community.
We hope to take the 2024 UK Passivhaus Conference to the Oxford-Cambridge corridor this September, with several exciting new developments underway and net zero local plans to boost! Use our events listings to get upcoming dates in your diary.

From everyone in the PHT team, we wish you all another successful year full of Passivhaus prosperity. We look forward to welcoming you to the many fantastic seminars, workshops and events we have planned throughout 2024.