Passive House

Snøhetta has created an impressively hardy wooden cultural and education hub that's 90% self-sufficient in heating and cooling, despite its location north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, in an area that can reach temperatures of - 49°F.

Using a temperature-driven "wax motor," researchers have created an adaptive roof tile system that helps keep a room at a comfortable 18 °C (65 °F). It delivers an extraordinary 3.1X reduction in cooling energy consumption, and 2.6X for heating.

The open-air Casa Caoba tiny home in Colombia utilizes passive cooling and natural materials. With five walls framing jungle views and indoor-outdoor living, it's a natural refuge boasting the use of unconventional eco-design.

Following the completion of its award-winning Valley development comes another project by MVRDV that’s defined by an impressive mountain-like exterior. Ascension Paysagère is part-built to the Passivhaus standard, and features significant greenery.

MAD Architects has completed its first project in Europe. The Unic apartment building in Paris, France, is enlivened by an eye-catching curving facade, is impressively energy efficient and has been constructed to exacting Passive House standards.

NAW Studio has completed a contemporary home with a unique facade that embraces passive air flow. Flow House is located just outside of Da Nang City, Vietnam and is made up of three structures that aid the flow of air from one section to the other.

Urban Agency's high-rise boasts an ambitious sustainable design, and is defined by a stepped form inspired by Canada's topography. The greenery covered building will be largely made from wood and is slated to meet the stringent Passivhaus standard.

Talina Edwards is the very first female in Australia to complete a certified Passivhaus. Owl Woods Passive House is only one of 20 certified Passivhaus projects in Australia and boasts a design that is sustainable, functional and flexible.

Residential architecture is one of the most diverse areas we cover. Reflecting this, our selection of 2019's best houses runs the gamut from a multi-million dollar floating home to low-cost social housing.

Architectural firm Mecanoo recently finished a three-part villa in the Netherlands that puts a modern spin on the traditional Dutch barn-house or "hoeve." Villa Vught comprises three closely built dwellings positioned around a central courtyard.

Energy-efficient public housing development Goldsmith Street, by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley, has been declared the 2019 Stirling Prize winner.

Britain's Imperial War Museum (IWM) recently gained a new archive to help house its vast collection of records. The IWM Paper Store is one seriously energy efficient building and is also the most airtight Passivhaus project to date, according to International Passivhaus Association records.