Passivhaus

Passivhaus certified designers

 

Our certified Passivhaus designers have nearly 20 years of experience delivering ultra-low energy buildings that meet the rigorous standards of the Passivhaus Institute. Our portfolio spans large-scale non-residential developments, bespoke buildings and major residential schemes.

We are qualified as designers, tradespersons, and construction verifiers, with PHPP expert-level training. We support projects through all RIBA stages, offering full Passivhaus design services including modelling, verification and registration.

Retrofit and EnerPHit

 

We focus on advanced retrofit strategies, including EnerPHit – the Passivhaus standard for existing buildings. As the majority of our building stock is already in use, upgrading existing buildings is essential to reducing carbon emissions.

Our team provides the specialist knowledge required to support projects targeting EnerPHit and similar certification standards, helping to achieve ambitious energy goals while navigating the practical challenges of retrofit.

 

Featured projects

The Global Health Building is meticulously designed to meet the stringent requirements of the Passivhaus Classic certification.

Our Passivhaus experts explored various architectural designs and orientations, incorporating wind and solar irradiance analyses to optimise energy efficiency with minimal heat loss through the building's envelope. The team simulated multiple façade options to achieve a delicate balance between capturing winter sun, reducing summer overheating, enhancing daylight entry, minimising heat loss through solid structures, and using materials with minimal carbon footprint.

 
 

CPW’s MEP and Passivhaus designers were key members of the team responsible for delivering the University of Leicester’s pioneering George Davies Medical Centre.

The building is home to over 2,350 students and staff. The contemporary development provides 12,000m² of teaching rooms, offices, cutting-edge dry laboratory research facilities and support spaces to set a new benchmark for scientific study in the UK.

It is one of the UK’s largest Passivhaus buildings, leading the standard for sustainable building design.

 
Latest news & insights
CPW’s Passivhaus Transformation Will Bring Life Back To Forgotten Oxford Backstreet
CPW’s Passivhaus Transformation Will Bring Life Back To Forgotten Oxford Backstreet

Work has started on site to transform a dated Oxford backstreet dominated by aging garages unfit for modern city centre life into a characterful, highly energy efficient modern mews that will be home to 33 students at St John’s College Oxford.

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Let’s talk about… Passivhaus
Let’s talk about… Passivhaus

Adopting a whole-building approach to design, Passivhaus is considered the most rigorous energy-based standard with certification.

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A guide to the key principles of Passivhaus design
A guide to the key principles of Passivhaus design

Passivhaus standards and sustainable design are currently at the forefront of every industry conversation, and rightly so. Companies are more concerned than ever about maintaining high levels of energy efficiency and reducing the impact of their buildings on the surrounding environment.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Passivhaus is a rigorous energy efficiency standard focusing on high levels of insulation, airtightness, and controlled ventilation to minimise energy use. Unlike traditional buildings, Passivhaus structures aim for ultra-low energy consumption, providing consistent indoor comfort and significant reductions in heating and cooling demands.

  • No, the Passivhaus standard is versatile and can be applied to various building types, including schools, offices and commercial buildings. The principles of energy efficiency and comfort are beneficial across different building uses.

  • Yes, occupants can open windows in a Passivhaus building. However, the design includes a mechanical ventilation system that ensures continuous fresh air supply and energy efficiency, even when windows are closed.

  • EnerPHit is the Passivhaus Institute's certification for retrofitting existing buildings. It adapts Passivhaus principles to the constraints of renovations, aiming for substantial energy reductions while accommodating existing structures.

  • Retrofitting to EnerPHit standards can lead to significant energy savings, reduced utility bills and increased property value. While initial costs may be higher, the long-term financial and environmental benefits are substantial.

  • EnerPHit certification can be achieved through two different routes: the Heating Demand Method or the Component Method. The Heating Demand Method sets a limit on annual space heating (typically 25 kWh/m²), while the Component Method focuses on meeting specific performance criteria for individual building elements, such as insulation, windows, airtightness and ventilation. This flexibility allows retrofit projects to adapt to existing building constraints while still achieving high performance.

  • Yes, it’s possible to follow Passivhaus principles without pursuing certification. Many clients adopt a ‘Passivhaus-informed’ approach to improve performance and reduce energy use, even if formal certification isn’t the goal.