Passivhaus Trust & AECB Local Group networking kick off

Building on the growing local appetite for Passivhaus, the Trust (with the AECB) held a university focused meet of the Local Group in South and West Wales at the Cardiff Metropolitan University on Wednesday 15th October.

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of 30 attendees from a wide range of disciplines, including students, lecturers, course leaders and researchers from built environment disciplines, all coming together with a shared passion for sustainable design. Guests enjoyed insightful talks from the AECB, Passivhaus Trust, Spring Design and Welsh Government with speakers all agreeing that building to a targeted standard is a must.

AECB & Passivhaus Trust Local Group: South and West Wales networking kick off

Students and lecturers were pointed at the AECB’s free resources and reduced price membership offer for students and educational institutions as well as the PHT’s offer for students which includes the International Passive House Association (iPHA) membership, access to iPHA activities and exclusive resources, including Passipedia, discounts to selected PHT training and events, access to PHT research and other outputs. The Passivhaus Learning Hub was highlighted which includes the free online certificated 4.5hr six-part Introduction to Passivhaus course.

Dr Shan Sahn Hou was congratulated on passing her Certified Passivhaus Designer exam which she took in June with Coaction Training CIC. All attendees were encouraged to look at the current training funding available from Welsh Government and the CITB promoted by PHT Patron Coaction Training CIC before it runs out in April 2026, and reminded that they can claim two PHI credit points.

Jonathan Davies, Associate Director Sustainability at Spring Design spoke on climate change, the local impacts we are already seeing in Wales and how those who work in the Built Environment sector have agency to reduce both embodied and operational emissions. Delving into one site and focussing on a pair of semidetached homes he demonstrated how he uses PHPP and Design PH to optimise a base specification that reduces heating demand by 186% and ventilation losses by 314% when designing to the AECB Carbonlite standard as opposed to EPC A with PVs.

Steve Cranston Tai ar y Cyd Project Lead spoke on the collaborative project which now has 25 members from Welsh Councils and Housing Associations who are starting to implement the Yai ar y Cyd pattern book to drive up quality, deliver better performing homes whilst aggregating demand to empower manufacturers, builders and developers to invest in Wales and upskill their employees.

The meeting was bought to a close by Dr Shan Shan Hou Lecturer in Architectural Design and Technology at Cardiff School of Art & Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University, after a round of questions the networking carrying on in a local pub and Indian restaurant.

AECB & Passivhaus Trust Local Group: South and West Wales networking kick off

A huge thank you to Jonathan Davies of Spring Design for organising the event. Plans are already underway for the next gathering, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

For any questions or queries please contact: tabitha@passivhaustrust.org.uk