Passivhaus (Passive House): the gold standard in low-energy design for today’s forward-thinking developers
- Warren Stanley
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
Across the built environment, expectations are changing. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being are no longer “nice to have” features - they are fast becoming essential. In response, developers are increasingly turning to Passivhaus (also known as Passive House): a globally recognised benchmark for delivering ultra-low energy, high-comfort buildings.
As regulatory requirements become more demanding, energy costs remain volatile, and end users grow more informed, the need for dependable performance standards has never been greater. This shift is evident across the full spectrum of development, from individual homes to large-scale residential and commercial schemes.
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus, which is also commonly referred to as Passive House, is the world’s leading standard for energy-efficient buildings. Developed in Germany in the 1990s, it is based on building physics and rigorous performance criteria.
Unlike many sustainability certifications, which rely on predicted outcomes or points-based scoring systems, Passivhaus focuses on the measurable performance of the building fabric. Its core objective is to reduce heating and cooling demand substantially, compared to conventional construction methods.
A Passivhaus building typically incorporates a few key principles:
Exceptional airtightness at less than 0.6 air changes per hour
High-quality insulation
Minimised heat loss from thermal bridges
High performance triple-glazed windows
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) for fresh, filtered air
Optimised solar gain through orientation, shading, and facade design
A simple, well-detailed thermal envelope
The outcome is a building that maintains stable indoor temperatures throughout the year, requires minimal energy input, and delivers excellent indoor air quality.
A standout UK example of this in action is urbanest Battersea, a purpose-built student accommodation development on the south bank of the River Thames. As one of the UK’s largest Passivhaus developments, it has received international recognition and multiple awards. Henriksen Studio was proud to act as Passivhaus designer on the project, contributing to its outstanding energy performance. You can explore this project in more detail in our earlier article: A sustainable building project worthy of international recognition.
What can Passivhaus deliver for developers?
Passivhaus is widely regarded as a leading standard for maximising building energy performance and supporting the transition towards Net Zero carbon targets.
When applied correctly, Passivhaus principles result in buildings that consume significantly less energy, while offering a consistently high level of comfort for occupants. At Henriksen Studio, we consider Passivhaus to be one of the most measurable, proven, and cost-effective frameworks available for achieving genuinely high-performing buildings.
Our team provides specialist Passivhaus design and consultancy services, supporting clients from early concept through to completion. In this article, we outline what Passivhaus is, why it matters, and how engaging an experienced Passivhaus consultant can help your project meet its performance targets with confidence.
The benefits of Passivhaus for developers
Achieving Passivhaus certification offers far more than reduced energy use. For developers, it brings a powerful mix of commercial, environmental, and reputational advantages.
1. Future-proof compliance
Building regulations are steadily moving towards net zero performance. Delivering Passivhaus buildings today helps minimise the risk of costly future retrofits and ensures long-term regulatory resilience.
2. Lower operating costs, higher market appeal
With energy prices uncertain, buyers and tenants increasingly prioritise buildings with predictable, low running costs. Passivhaus buildings dramatically reduce heating and cooling demand, making them significantly cheaper to operate.
3. Improved build quality and fewer defects
The Passivhaus process demands rigorous detailing, coordination, and quality control. As a result, developers often experience fewer issues related to condensation, mould, cold bridging, and overheating - leading to reduced snagging and improved customer satisfaction.
4. Reduced operational carbon
Passivhaus delivers some of the lowest operational carbon emissions currently achievable. This supports ESG commitments and provides clear, measurable sustainability outcomes for investors and stakeholders.
5. Strong market differentiation
In a competitive landscape, a proven track record in delivering comfortable, healthy, low-energy buildings sets developers apart. Passivhaus is internationally recognised as a mark of quality and technical excellence.
Why choose Passivhaus over other standards?
Many building standards rely heavily on predicted performance. Passivhaus by contrast, is underpinned by verified criteria such as airtightness testing and detailed energy modelling. This ensures buildings perform in practice as well as they do on paper.
Passivhaus buildings offer:
Superior comfort and well-being
Consistent fresh air supply
Even internal temperatures
No cold draughts
Excellent indoor air quality
Long-term asset value
Scalability across building types, making it suitable for portfolio developers and multi-phase schemes
Extra credence from the Passive House Institute and the Passivhaus Trust
Across the industry, there are several independent bodies championing and reinforcing the value of the Passivhaus standard. Both the Passive House Institute (PHI) and the Passivhaus Trust play a critical role in supporting the successful delivery of high-performance buildings.
Together, they provide technical rigour, independent verification, and industry leadership to move beyond policy aspirations and towards buildings that perform as intended.
Founded in 1996 in Germany, the Passive House Institute (PHI) is an independent research organisation and certification body that develops, maintains, and promotes the Passivhaus standards worldwide. The Institute’s role is to ensure that Passivhaus remains a robust, science-based, and performance-driven standard, grounded in building physics.
The Passivhaus Trust was established in 2010, with the aim of making Passivhaus the mainstream approach to delivering low-energy, high-comfort buildings in the UK. It is an independent non-profit organisation that provides leadership in the UK for the adoption of the Passivhaus standard and methodology. Its role is to promote
Passivhaus as a highly effective way of providing high standards of occupant comfort and health without compromising on the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions from buildings in the UK.
Key considerations before starting a Passivhaus project
Passivhaus is achievable across a wide range of building types, but success depends on careful planning and collaboration.
1. Engage early
Bringing Passivhaus expertise into the project at concept stage ensures that elements such as orientation, window layouts, and initial envelope strategies support the standard cost-effectively. Late changes can increase costs and complexity.
2. Prioritise the fabric
Passivhaus follows a fabric-first philosophy. A high-performing envelope must be established before introducing technologies, requiring close coordination between architects, engineers, and site teams. Henriksen Studio’s facade consultancy expertise ensures that the envelope is interrogated and detailed to the highest level.
3. Airtightness demands precision
Meeting airtightness targets is entirely achievable, but only with clear detailing, skilled workmanship, co-ordination of various trades, careful sequencing, and on-going quality control throughout construction.
4. Use reliable components
Certified windows, MVHR systems, and other components maintain quality, reduce risk and ensure compatibility with Passivhaus calculations.
5. Invest in training and communication
Construction teams may need additional guidance on airtightness, insulation installation, and moisture control. Clear communication from a Passivhaus consultant helps avoid costly errors on site.
The value of a Passivhaus consultant
Passivhaus design is centred on optimising the building envelope, while carefully balancing architectural ambition with performance requirements. This includes managing solar gain, minimising heat loss, and integrating passive design strategies such as shading and natural ventilation.
At Henriksen Studio, we collaborate closely with the project architect from the earliest stages, helping to define building form, glazing ratios, and envelope strategies. We then rigorously integrate the five core Passivhaus principles - insulation, airtightness, glazing performance, thermal bridge elimination, and MVHR integration.
Our holistic approach results in buildings that achieve exceptional energy efficiency, while delivering outstanding comfort and liveability.
At Henriksen Studio, we offer a comprehensive Passivhaus building design service to clients undertaking new construction projects. With a focus on energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and sustainability, our team integrates Passivhaus principles into every aspect of the design process.
In summary: why Passivhaus makes sense for developers
Passivhaus represents one of the most reliable, practical, and future-ready approaches to sustainable development. It reduces performance risk, enhances market confidence, and aligns projects with the highest international standards.
At Henriksen Studio, we believe that outstanding design and outstanding performance should go hand in hand. Whether referred to as Passivhaus or Passive House, the value this standard can bring to your project is significant. From residential schemes to commercial developments, our team can guide you through the process with clarity, efficiency, and confidence.
