The Passive House Institute is an internationally leading independent research institute with extensive expertise in the field of highly energy-efficient construction and renovation. It was founded in 1996 by the ‘father’ of the Passive House concept, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Feist.
For the development of this building concept Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Feist was awarded the German Environment Prize (the highest environmental award in Germany) by the Federal Environmental Foundation in 2001 as well as the International Environment Prize of the City of Gothenburg (together with Swedish architect Hans Eek) in 2003.
The world's first Passive House was built in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1990 (Database ID 0195). To this day, the multi-family house impresses with its extremely low heating energy consumption of less than 10 kWh/(m²a).
The Passive House concept has deliberately not been legally protected and is therefore freely available to everyone. As an independent research institute, we attach great importance to objectivity, integrity and equal opportunity.
We are open to cooperation with suitable partners worldwide and do not enter into exclusive agreements in order to prevent the formation of local monopolies in the areas of certification, further training and consulting.
Under the umbrella organisation of the International Passive House Association (iPHA), 22 partner organisations are already collaborating to promote energy efficiency in the construction sector. They network relevant stakeholders, advise, educate and conduct public education work in their respective regions.