Passive House 2025 Webinar Series – Webinar 9 Modelling for Design – expert insights into PHPP as a design tool.

Event details

PHINZ is excited to present the 9th webinar in our 2025 series – Designers Webinars: How to Build A Passive House and Builders Social Webinars: Everything Passive House.

Webinar 09- Designers Webinar

Topic: Modelling for Design – expert insights into PHPP as a design tool.

Join us for what promises to be an insightful and educational panel discussion around using PHPP in different ways and as a design tool; from 4 of Oceania’s PHPP experts!

Elsie Wang (Aus) – developer of additional PHPP sheets for better communication

Tom Hughes (Aus) – using PHPP for retrofit planning and intermittent heating calculation

Maria Rei (NZ) – an experienced energy modeller for multiple projects in New Zealand

Arthur Lee (NZ) – playing with PHPP – how to generate power bills & real-world scenarios using the user defined inputs.

Following presentations from each of the panellists we will open the floor for questions along with Mark from MA Building to offer a builder’s perspective – an amazing opportunity to ask the burning PHPP queries that keep you awake at night, and learn how to use modelling to ensure outcomes for your clients – don’t miss it!

When: 12 June 2025, 12pm – 1:30pm (includes a Q&A session)

Cost (members): Free

Cost (NZIA members): $15:00

Cost (non-members): $30.00

CPD Available

NZRAB: 15 points

Hosted by:

• Joe Lyth, PHINZ Chair and Director, WEL Architecture

Presenters:

• Arthur Lee
• Elsie Wang
• Tom Hughes
• Mark Anderson
• Maria Rei

Arthur Lee

Arthur has been devoting his career to sustainable buildings since the completion of his higher education in Wellington and Denmark. His specialised areas include Passive House design, Homestar, whole of life carbon assessment. He has completed more than 200 energy models to date and knows how to transform data into effective impact in the real world. Arthur is a co-author of NZGBC’s Homestar Design Guide. He now works for the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, promoting energy efficient affordable housing at a larger scale. 

Elsie Wang

Elsie is a Sydney-based Certified Passivhaus Consultant and National PH101 Coordinator for the Australian Passivhaus Association. She specialises in thermal modelling using PHPP software, working closely with architects, builders, and homeowners to optimise energy performance through iterative design.

With a background in both architecture and structural engineering, she’s all about that sweet spot where numbers meet creativity. The PHPP is her trusty sidekick, and she loves turning complex building physics into easy-to-grasp visuals and insights (because let’s be real, not everyone wants to crunch spreadsheets for fun).

A strong advocate for form and function, Elsie thrives on finding tailored solutions for thermal comfort and efficiency across diverse climates. Through her consultancy, PHPP Design, she empowers clients to explore performance-driven design and pursue Passivhaus certification.

Tom Hughes

Tom is a Certified Passive House Consultant, Building Designer and Physiotherapist who has been fascinated by the world of building science for the last five years. Building better (warm and dry) for the health of people. Building better (durable and sufficient) for the health of the planet in minimising carbon emissions to build, retrofit and operate buildings are Tom’s motivations. Tom has explored the use of the PHPP to inform decision making in (non-EnerPHit) retrofit of existing buildings. Weighing the best bang for buck of simply adding PV and heat pumps against the value of improving envelope and ventilation for any one building is crucial. Whilst he acknowledges the risks inherent in this “partially done” approach this must be weighed against the reality of budgets and longevity of the
building.

Maria Rei

Registered Architect (Argentina) with a Bachelor in Architecture and Urban Planning, I bring over two decades of experience in sustainable design across Argentina and New Zealand. As an Energy Modeller at eHaus, for the last 7 years, I’ve contributed to nearly 80 high-performance, low-carbon, and Passive House projects, specialising in PHPP modelling and completing certification of 10 houses. A proud member of ILAPH (Latin American Passive House Institute), I’ve worked closely with its directors to help forge a landmark agreement with PassivHaus PEP, enhancing collaboration between Europe and Latin America. My previous experience as co-owner of a motorcycle shop further shaped my skills in business management, leadership, and team motivation—skills I bring to every project I undertake.

Mark Anderson

Mark started MA Building back in 2013 with a clear vision: to raise the bar for what homebuilding in Wanaka could be. With years of experience in both traditional and performance building, Mark leads a team that’s constantly learning, improving, and refining the way we build. Whether you’re aiming for Passive House standards or just want a warmer, drier, more efficient home, we’ll help you understand the why behind every decision – and we’ll deliver a build that lives up to it. Mark grew up around building sites as a young boy. His father was a builder by trade so it was only natural for Mark to follow in his footsteps after graduating from his Carpentry studies. Although his father has sadly now passed away, Mark proudly continues to transmit what his father taught him about the craft of building to his business and team. Mark enjoys working with his reputable team of builders to ensure they are consistently producing a high-quality standard of workmanship and showing respect for the materials being used. Using his keen eye for detail and precision, Mark thrives in his comprehensive role of Project Manager and Managing Director. When he’s not in the office or on the tools, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, going on hunting or fishing trips, and creating projects in his garage.

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