High-performance and Passive House projects introduce construction requirements that go well beyond standard practice. For construction teams, meeting these targets demands a proactive, coordinated approach to budget management, quality control, and testing throughout the construction phase.
In this workshop, participants will explore the key processes and milestones involved in delivering a high-performance building, from enhanced submittal reviews and construction QA/QC to airtightness testing strategies and ventilation commissioning. Drawing on lessons learned from completed Passive House projects, the session uses case studies and interactive exercises to highlight common pitfalls—such as incomplete submittals, uncoordinated trade interfaces, and delayed testing—and the practical risk management approaches that help avoid them.
Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of how adapted processes, defined roles, and early coordination support successful high-performance project delivery.
What you’ll learn
- Describe the absolute performance metrics used in high-performance and Passive House projects.
- Identify the key elements of an enhanced submittal process and construction QA/QC program for high-performance projects.
- Compare whole-building, floor-based, and suite-based airtightness testing approaches and explain how construction sequencing, building preparation, and leak detection strategies affect test outcomes and remediation.
- Recognize the adapted roles, responsibilities, and coordination practices that support successful high-performance project delivery.
