Table of Contents
Passive House Moments
From the first Passive House in Darmstadt-Kranichstein and the development of the first PHPP to today, we celebrate 35 years of the Passive House and the 30th anniversary of the Passive House Institute—three decades of innovation, progress, and commitment to energy-efficient buildings! The more Passive House moments will be published soon.
2001–2006
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The second chapter of Passive House Moments takes us from 2001 to 2006 – a period in which Passive House expanded beyond its early beginnings, with new standards, projects, networks and initiatives helping to bring the concept to a wider audience. From the CEPHEUS project, which demonstrated cost-efficient Passive House construction on a European scale, to the foundation of IG Passivhaus Deutschland, these years saw the Passive House community grow and connect across borders. The development of EnerPHit also marked an important step towards applying Passive House principles to building renovations, while the definition of the Passive House and EnerPHit building criteria established clear requirements for energy efficiency, comfort and indoor environmental quality. The period also saw Passive House become more accessible to the wider public. In 2004, the first Passive House Open Days invited people to experience Passive House buildings for themselves – a tradition that continues today.
1991–2000
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How did Passive House develop from a pioneering building in Darmstadt-Kranichstein into an internationally recognised building standard? The first chapter of Passive House Moments takes us from 1991 to 2006 – a period of experimentation, research and important milestones that laid the foundations for the Passive House movement as we know it today. From the first Passive House in 1991 to the founding of the Passive House Institute, the first International Passive House Conference and the development of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), these years saw key ideas become practical tools and measurable standards. Along the way, the first Passive House components were certified, buildings were monitored in use, certification criteria were established, and networks began bringing the concept to a wider audience. The chapter also highlights pioneering projects, from housing developments and an office building to schools and renovation projects, demonstrating how Passive House principles could be applied in different building types and contexts.
| Year | Description |
| 1996 | 5 years after the first Passive House in Darmstadt-Kranichstein, the Passive House Institute is founded by Wolfgang Feist |
| 1996 | In the same year, the first Passive House Conference is held in Darmstadt |
| 1996 | Also in 1996, the first Working Group on Cost-Effective Passive Houses is held – topic: Cost-Saving Construction |
| 1997 | The first Passive House component is certified – triple-glazed windows |
| 1998–1999 | Construction of the first Passive House office building in Cölbe |
| 1998 | The first Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is published to enable the planning and verification of Passive Houses |
| 1998–2002 | Construction and monitoring of the Passive House terraced housing development in Hannover-Kronsberg |
| 2000–2001 | Construction and monitoring of the Passive House apartment building in Kassel-Marbachshöhe |
| 2001 | As part of the CEPHEUS project, numerous Passive Houses are closely monitored during operation, and the PHPP is validated based on this monitoring |
| 2003 | Criteria for certified Passive Houses are published for the first time |
| 2003 | In the same year, the IG Passivhaus is founded, establishing a network for promoting the Passive House concept |
| 2003 | Also in 2003, the 24th session of the Working Group on Cost-Effective Passive Houses focuses on the topic of building renovation |
| 2003–2007 | Construction and monitoring of the Riedberg School in Frankfurt am Main |
| 2004 | The first Passive House Days are held, allowing people to experience the quality of a highly energy-efficient building directly |
| 2005 | The Passive House Project Database is published to make best-practice examples of successful highly energy-efficient projects worldwide visible |
| 2005–2011 | Renovation and monitoring of Tevesstraße in Frankfurt am Main |