Paper presented on behalf of Architype UK at the 20th International Passivhaus Conference in Darmstadt, Germany, April 2016. For the presentation see: http://tinyurl.com/EB-iPHC16-Slides (also on Slideshare) Architects have limited opportunity to design Passivhaus buildings if clients don’t ask for Passivhaus. Architype has identified the following key obstacles to Passivhaus that architects can help clients successfully overcome; competing standards, cost, education, the supply chain and quality.

1. Experiences from UK and Ireland SESSION 8
How architects can drive adoption of Passivhaus for
primary schools in England and Wales.
Elrond Burrell, Architype Ltd
Twyford Barn, Upper Twyford, Hereford HR2 8AD, United Kingdom, Tel.:+44 (0)1981
542111, elrond.burrell@architype.co.uk
0 Introduction
Architects have limited opportunity to design Passivhaus buildings if clients don’t ask for
Passivhaus. Or do they?
This paper will look at examples where Architype, as architects, has been instrumental in the
adoption of Passivhaus for primary schools. The examples come primarily from two UK
regions. The first region is Wolverhampton city, the second region is Carmarthenshire county,
the UK PassReg Beacon. A Passivhaus school in London where Architype was the
Passivhaus Designer is also referenced.
Starting in 2006, Architype designed a series of education and community buildings for
Wolverhampton City Council. The most recent three of these have been Passivhaus primary
schools, including two of the first in the UK. Architype initiated the adoption of Passivhaus for
the first two primary schools and subsequently Wolverhampton City Council set it as a
requirement for the third.
In 2013, Architype designed the first Passivhaus primary school in Wales for Carmarthenshire
County Council. The Council had been working towards delivering a Passivhaus project over
a several years and had started the design in-house. Architype supported the council to
ensure that Passivhaus would be achieved when they tendered the project to a main
contractor to complete the design and build it. Architype subsequently worked with the main
contractor to successfully deliver the project.
Architype is now working with another main contractor designing and delivering a further two
Passivhaus primary schools for Carmarthenshire County Council.
Public clients that want to adopt Passivhaus currently face a number of obstacles. Architype
was able to support Wolverhampton City Council in overcoming they key obstacles they
faced. And now, Architype are using that experience to assist Carmarthenshire County
Council in a similar manner.

2. SESSION 8 Experiences from UK and Ireland
1 Competing Standards
Obstacle: UK Building Regulations vs BREEAM vs Passivhaus
In England and Wales, all building must comply with the UK Building Regulations, including
"Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power". Currently, Passivhaus certification or PHPP
calculations are not accepted as suitable evidence of compliance with the regulations. This
isn't an obstacle in itself, but it does need to be made clear to clients. Passivhaus is not a
substitute for compliance with the Building Regulations and separate calculations must be
carried out for both.
Most new school projects must also achieve a BREEAM rating as part of the government
funding requirements. In most cases, it is not possible to be exempt from this requirement
and even when it is possible, many clients voluntarily adopt a BREEAM requirement. This is
an obstacle because the requirements are different, and require different work and design
approaches to be taken. For example, the energy section of BREEAM has a low carbon and
renewable technologies focus, so a Passivhaus design will not necessarily result in high
BREEAM energy credits.
Lesson: Select projects where BREEAM isn't a funding requirement to advocate that
clients adopt Passivhaus.
Wilkinson Primary School in Wolverhampton was funded by an insurance payment and was
not subject to government funding requirements. The clients, Wolverhampton City Council,
were happy to adopt Passivhaus after their previous positive experience with two other
Passivhaus schools designed by Architype
Burry Port Community Primary School in Carmarthenshire was an extension to an existing
school and although government funded, not subject to the BREEAM requirements. The
clients, Carmarthenshire County Council, already had their sights set on this being their first
Passivhaus school and were keen that Architype could bring their experience to the project.
Stebon Primary School in London was also an extension to an existing school and not subject
to the BREEAM requirements. The client, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, was initially
going to pursue BREEAM rating, however, they were persuaded of the benefits of
Passivhaus. The costs set aside for employing a BREEAM Accredited Pofessional and the
certification process were redirected to employing a Passivhaus Designer (Architype) and a
Passivhaus Certifier.

3. Experiences from UK and Ireland SESSION 8
2 Cost
Obstacle: Increased capital cost
There is a perception that a Passivhaus schools will cost more to construct than an equivalent
school built to the required BREEAM standard. This seems to be a reasonable perception
given the higher specification that Passivhaus requires for windows, doors, ventilation system
etc.
Lesson: Deliver Passivhaus at no additional capital cost with smart design.
Architype has successfully demonstrated that with a smart design approach it is possible to
deliver Passivhaus schools within a standard school budget. Architype advocated for
Passivhaus to be adopted on the first two Passivhaus school in Wolverhampton. The client,
therefore, adopted Passivhaus but only on the basis that there would be no additional funding
provided. Architype accepted this challenge and starting with the end in mind, focused on
designing the two schools in parallel to both meet the Passivhaus Standard within the given
budget. The building forms were simplified and the construction detailing and methodology
were rigorously developed to eliminate unnecessary costs. For the third Passivhaus School
in Wolverhampton, Architype developed and refined the design process further. A still more
cost-effective solution was required since the project budget was less than the previous two
schools.
Architype is currently working with Dawnus Construction designing two Passivhaus schools
in Wales for Carmarthenshire County Council. Architype brought their experience from
Wolverhampton schools to the tender process and Dawnus was able to offer the client a
Passivhaus option at a marginal cost increase of around 2.5%. This level of cost difference
can easily occur simply due to design and specification changes or market fluctuations.
3 Education
Obstacle: Clients do not know about or understand Passivhaus enough to know what
to ask for.
Passivhaus is very rarely an explicit part of a school project brief requirements in the UK.
School clients often don't know about Passivhaus or assume it only applies to houses.
Wolverhampton City Council had never heard of Passivhaus in 2010. Or in the case of
Carmarthenshire in 2013, there was a small group of individuals within the council that knew
about and aspired to deliver Passivhaus buildings. However, there was no in-house
experience of actually delivering a Passivhaus building.

4. SESSION 8 Experiences from UK and Ireland
Lessons: Share practical experience, assist with briefing requirements, take clients on
Passivhaus tours.
Architype had been working with Wolverhampton City Council on a number of "low energy"
and "sustainable" projects, and in the process educating them about sustainable design. As
a result, the council was open to learning about Passivhaus. Architype had also been
undertaking Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Building Performance monitoring on school
projects for WCC. This process helped everyone involved understanding how "low-energy"
schools perform and Architype were able to persuade WCC that adopting Passivhaus was
clearly the next step. Architype undertook a study tour to Germany and later Thomas Vale
(now part of Bouyges UK, the main contractor) did the same.
Carmarthenshire County Council had been working towards delivering Passivhaus schools
for a number of years as part of their PassReg Beacon Status. Architype helped the council
to increase their understanding of the realities of delivering Passivhaus buildings by providing
seminars and taking council staff, and later school staff, on tours of Passivhaus schools in
Wolverhampton. This enabled the council to progress with tendering and procuring the first
Passivhaus school in Wales, Burry Port Community Primary School. It also enabled the
council to write the tender briefs for later school projects so it was clear that Passivhaus
Building Certification was a desirable aspiration even though not an explicit requirement.
4 Supply Chain
Obstacle: School clients have a desire to use local suppliers but they are not always
suitable for Passivhaus.
There is a strong aspiration in the UK, perhaps even more strongly in Wales, to employ local
suppliers where possible. There is a perception that Passivhaus is too challenging and largely
dependent on European suppliers. it is also a current reality that very few Passivhaus
Certified (or even "suitable") components are manufactured or supplied locally in the UK. This
can turn commissioning clients and main contractors away from Passivhaus as additional
work is needed to meet the standard.
Lessons: Develop local suppliers to Passivhaus capability, bring in experienced
suppliers early and be selective about what to source locally and what to source from
further away.
All three of the Wolverhampton Passivhaus schools have windows from a local supplier.
Architype had worked with the window supplier on three previous non-Passivhaus projects in
the region and developed a productive and trusted working relationship. When given the
opportunity to take on further projects Architype had designed, the window supplier was open
to understanding what would be required for Passivhaus. Once they grasped the
requirements they were enthusiastic about the opportunity to improve their product offering.

5. Experiences from UK and Ireland SESSION 8
They worked closely with Architype and successfully supplied Passivhaus suitable windows
for all the projects.
The timber frame subcontractor from one of the first Passivhaus schools was also successful
in being selected for the third Passivhaus school in Wolverhampton (Wilkinson), the first
Passivhaus school in London (Stebon) and the first Passivhaus school in Wales (Burry Port
Community Primary School). On each subsequent project, they were involved early and
brought their technical expertise and practical experience from previous projects. This not
only reduced costs but also brought peace of mind to the main contractors and clients.
There is often a perception that only Passivhaus Certified Components and Systems can be
used on a Passivhaus Certified Building. Architype has been able to clarify misconceptions
like this with clients, design consultants and main contractors. This has enabled intelligent
and cost-effective selection of suitable local trades and suppliers, while ensuring that the
stringent Passivhaus requirements are still met. For example, a local mechanical engineering
subcontractor can be used, however, a Passivhaus certified MVHR system is needed but not
available locally. On the other hand, Passivhaus windows can now be supplied locally and
compete with European suppliers.
5 Quality
Obstacle: Concerns that local workforce won’t be able to deliver the level of quality
required.
There is a perception in the UK that the construction workforce isn't skilled enough to deliver
the exacting quality standards required by Passivhaus. Some of the methods required for
Passivhaus are also relatively novel in the UK, such as the rigorous application of airtight
tapes, and installation and commissioning of balanced mechanical ventilation.
Lessons: Take a hands-on approach to guiding and supporting the construction
process. Train and educate the workforce on site, empower the workforce by ensuring
they feel like an important part of the team.
Assisting the workforce in delivering the standard of quality required by Passivhaus was a
two-way process. Architype took a very hands-on approach with the construction team.
Architype staff were on site regularly leading toolbox talks, providing briefings and
participating in practical workshops. This expanded the knowledge and understanding of the
workforce, but also allowed Architype to benefit and learn from practical feedback from the
site. This allowed the design and detailing to be continually improved to ensure it not only
meet client and architectural aspirations but was also practical and cost effective to build. The
hands-on approach engendered a collaborative atmosphere on the projects. Issues that
arose during construction were swiftly resolved together. It also empowered the site

6. SESSION 8 Experiences from UK and Ireland
workforce. They understood the importance of their job in the bigger picture and importantly
they saw that architects listened to them and respected their skills and experience.
Architype were also able to take key subcontractors on tours of completed Passivhaus
schools so they could see first hand what was required. This helped dispel perceptions that
passivhaus was something alien and overly challenging to the UK workforce.
6 Conclusion
Clients don't always ask for Passivhaus buildings, even when they may aspire to achieve the
standard. However, risks and obstacles that may prevent clients asking for Passivhaus do
not need to stop architects from offering Passivhaus and assisting clients in achieving it.
And when clients do ask for Passivhaus, architects have a valuable role assisting and guiding
them to cost-effective successful solutions.
Architects can clarify the benefits and advantages of Passivhaus when competing standards
appear to be an obstacle. Passivhaus can be a complementary standard to achieve, or when
opportunities arise, Passivhaus can be the preferred standard to adopt.
Architects can proactively employ smart design to ensure cost-effective Passivhaus design.
Each project is an opportunity to learn and develop the approach to design and detailing to
express the architecture while also being simple and cost effective to build.
Architects can educate clients, design consultants, contractors, and others, in the benefits,
advantages and specific features of Passivhaus. Many misconceptions still abound and are
easily dispelled through education, sharing of practical experience and guided tours around
completed Passivhaus buildings. Nothing brings home the simple reality of Passivhaus more
so than visiting a completed building and experiencing it first hand.
It is important that architects monitor complete Passivhaus buildings too. Firstly, so that they
can learn how to improve the next design. Secondly, to they can help the clients fine tune
how they operate their Passivhaus building. And thirdly, so that the incredible results can be
measured and shared, further validating the benefits of Passivhaus.
Architects can work with contractors and suppliers to help them understand what is needed
for Passivhaus and how to achieve it. They can bring local subcontractors along on the
journey and assist main contractors in selecting which critical components that can't be
supplied locally. Architects can be hands-on and collaborate not only with the other design
consultants but also with the wider construction team. Passivhaus is a team sport and
architects can lead the team.
Most importantly, architects can simply start designing Passivhaus schools and other
buildings. Your clients will thank you

7. Experiences from UK and Ireland SESSION 8
7 References
The author acknowledges the assistance provided by Architype colleagues, Wolverhampton
City Council. Carmarthenshire County Council, Thomas Vale Construction (Part of Bouyges
UK), Dawnus Construction in preparing this paper. In particular, the following individuals
provided valuable input; Andrew Tidy (Carmarthenshire County Council), Matt Wisdom
(Thomas Vale Construction) and Andrew Cross (Dawnus Construction).

8. SESSION 8 Experiences from UK and Ireland
Short summary
Architects have limited opportunity to design Passivhaus buildings if clients don’t ask for
Passivhaus. Architype has identified the following key obstacles to Passivhaus that
architects can help clients successfully overcome; competing standards, cost, education,
the supply chain and quality.