Learn how to design and detail for Passivhaus and high-performance buildings, use PHPP software for energy modelling and analysis, and prepare to take the Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam.

Through live webinars, interactive tutorials and online self-study, you'll gain a deep understanding of the Passivhaus standard, building physics, and the essential elements of designing and detailing the building envelope and services. You'll be introduced to Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) software, completing a whole PHPP and learning how to use it effectively to interrogate design.

You will be taught by the UK's leading Passivhaus experts - our trainers are all highly-experienced practitioners actively working in the sector, sharing their practical insights into best practices and real-world challenges. We'll teach you how to bring this learning to your workplace projects in addition to thoroughly preparing you for the Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand the Passivhaus standard and how it is crucial for achieving high building performance.
• Recognise the impact of design choices and how decisions on form factor, airtightness, thermal bridging, insulation, and glazing affect performance.
• Assess the impact of construction choices, considering multiple construction methods and how to detail common elements.
• Define design strategies to prevent summer overheating.
• Explore the principles of effective ventilation in Passivhaus buildings.
• Understand heating & hot water systems for Passivhaus and considerations for designing efficient heating and hot water distribution systems.
• Complete energy modelling using PHPP (Passivhaus Planning Package) software and gain proficiency in using it for design and analysis.
• Understand the role of a Passivhaus Designer/Consultant, what your responsibilities are and how to collaborate effectively on Passivhaus projects.
• Prepare thoroughly for the Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam (1.5 hours) with essential techniques and revision.

Course Modules:

Bitesize Low Energy Design (15 - 20 hours) Our foundation course covering essential low energy design concepts, included FREE with the Designer course. Online self-study (access to this material will be given upon confirmation of booking), plus additional live online workshops to check and deepen learning.

NOTE: If you have already completed the Bitesize Low Energy Design Course separately please get in touch with the team to discuss.

Building Physics and Economics Essentials (3.5 hours) A quick refresher of essential equations and principles you'll use later in the course.

Building Fabric (30 hours) Explore heat transfer, energy balance of buildings and how to achieve thermal comfort and avoid summer overheating in practice. Learn how the required values are calculated and what this means for building design. We'll explore how Passivhaus construction differs to standard practice, what’s required for airtightness and thermal bridge-free construction and how successful design follows through to what happens on site. Our course is full of real-life site photos and video content throughout showcasing what good looks like.

Building Services for Passivhaus (15 hours) You'll cover concepts, calculations and commissioning for ventilation design, heating systems and hot water distribution and a review of Primary Energy Renewable. Explore building services used in Passivhaus and what's different to business as usual, learning how to interrogate services design at a high level and understand how services requirements can influence the overall building design.

PHPP - Introduction to Passivhaus Planning Package software (18 hours) We'll guide you through the software, completing a whole PHPP spreadsheet and developing your understanding of the inputs, parameters and implications for building design.

Exam Preparation (12 hours) Full support to get ready for the exam, including a live revision session to recap core concepts, exam technique and tips, and plenty of practice questions plus a mock exam. Small-group tutorials at the end will cover any specific areas of concern.

Final exam (1.5 Hours) Open book so you can use your own notes for support.

Professionals seeking to design high-performance, low-energy buildings — architects, designers, engineers, sustainability consultants, building professionals – anyone aiming to become a Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant.

The live-online format and split-study schedule are useful for busy professionals expecting to combine work and study. You can also opt to take the course at your own pace and select individual modules to suit your timetable. Please contact us for further details.