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 a blend of live webinars, interactive tutorials, and 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 also be introduced to Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) software, completing a whole PHPP and understanding 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, who will share practical insights into best practices and real-world challenges. This course will teach you how to bring this learning to your 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 (1.5hours) with essential techniques and revision.

Course Modules:

Bitesize Low Energy Design (20 hours)

This foundation course, included FREE with the Designer course, covers essential low energy design concepts. 15 hours of self-study to complete in your own time (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)

Learn essential equations and principles that you'll apply later in the course.

Building Fabric (30 hours over 6 days)

Explore concepts including heat transfer, energy balance of buildings and what is needed to achieve thermal comfort and avoid summer overheating, learning how each of the required values can be calculated and what this means in practice for building design. You will learn how Passivhaus construction differs to standard practice, what’s required to achieve airtightness and thermal bridge free construction and understand how successful design follows through to what happens on site. Practical construction examples and guidance throughout show you what good looks like.

Building Services for Passivhaus (15 hours over 3 days)

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 over 3 days)

We'll guide you through the PHPP software and how to complete a whole PHPP spreadsheet, developing your understanding of the inputs, parameters and implications for building design. A student PHPP licence is included in the fees.

Exam Preparation (12 hours over 2 days)

We support you to prepare fully for the exam, with a live revision session to recap on the core concepts and provide exam technique and tips, plus plenty of practice questions and a mock exam to complete in your own time. Small-group tutorials at the end will cover any specific areas of concern.

Final exam

A 1.5-hour online exam, open book so you can use your own notes for support.