Across North America, consultants and construction professionals rely on Phius’ Certified Passive House Builder (CPHB) Training program to master these best practices. In 2019, Phius turned to RDH to update the CPHB curriculum and manage course delivery, strengthening the program’s reach and impact.
Curriculum Development
Working closely with Phius, our team applied expertise in passive building science to enhance the Certified Passive House Builder training program. Passive building relies on engineered solutions rooted in building science, combined with strong project management and hands-on craftsmanship. Builders must adjust their usual construction methods to meet passive building standards, and like any new approach, this involves a learning curve.
The CPHB curriculum was designed to reduce the learning curve and prepare trainees to achieve certification with confidence. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on in-person training, we adapted a portion of the curriculum for fully online, live delivery.
Our building science and training specialists developed the training content alongside a comprehensive trainee workbook. We also created an 8-hour independent learning course featuring recorded instructional videos, interactive illustrations, and learner assessments. This course was optimized for seamless delivery through Phius’ learning management system.
Program Outcomes
The updated CPHB training program equips building professionals with a deeper understanding of the design, construction, business opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with passive building. Trainees acquire the skills necessary to deliver projects that are airtight, well-insulated, and free of thermal bridges that are becoming increasingly standard through evolving building codes and compliance requirements.
The accompanying workbook features real-world examples, photographs, and activities to reinforce learning and serves as a handy reference guide after the course.
Upon completion, trainees interested in learning the CPHB designation can take an exam tailored to their specific training session.
Course Delivery
From 2020 to 2022, RDH managed and delivered 22 sessions of the CPHB course, reaching hundreds of industry professionals across the U.S. One of RDH’s Passive House Consultants led the live instruction component, providing specialist guidance and facilitating in-depth discussions throughout each session.
