International Passive House Open Days 2023
Event details
Scroll right down to see participating locations and times
The International Passive House Open Days are an excellent opportunity to learn about Passive House and energy-efficient buildings.
Learn first-hand what it is like to live in a Passive House and what the building or retrofitting process was like. Enjoy the comfortable interior temperatures, take a look at the ventilation system, ask questions and consider the possibilities of Passive House for your own building projects.
Some participating locations will have professionals on hand with the knowledge and tools to explain the technical details of Passive House projects.
Passive House Owners
The Open Days really come alive if there are many participating projects to view. Only through the generosity of current Passive House owners can others experience the benefits of Passive House first-hand. PHINZ understands the effort this can take and fully appreciates those willing to spread the word through the most motivating avenue of all: hands-on personal experience.
Projects can be at any stage – from under construction to fully occupied. Registration is free of charge.
When you participate in the International Passive House Open Days 2022, you can add your project to the International PHI world map.
Have you participated in previous Passive House Open Days and your project is not on the map? You can contact PHI directly at info@passivehouse-international.org to have your past project added.
Passive House Visitors
Please use the PHI world map above to locate open homes for this year, or refer to the details below:
Te Ika-a-Māui – NORTH ISLAND
Till’s Cottage
Retrofit of a 12-year-old cottage to the Passive House Classic standard.
Where: Kaiwaka, Northland
When:
Sunday 25th on demand
Booking required: email Till Schlimme tillschlimme@gmail.com
Visitor notes: Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Database listing: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_7186
PHINZ listing: Till’s Cottage
Lower Saddle House
Where: 274 Tahekeroa Road, Tahekaroa 0873
When:
Friday 23rd 9am-4pm
Saturday 24th 10am-3pm
Booking required: email Joseph Lyth joseph@respondarchitects.co.nz or call 021 0394054
Visitor notes: This is a rural section, found down gravel roads with storm damage. Care must be taken!
Database listing: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_6641
Matakohe House
Conceived as a retirement home, this single level house targeting Passive House Plus certification will be accessible and wheelchair friendly when complete. Come and chat with the builder and architect. Tours are for one hour from 9:30am. Last tour is 2:30pm.
Where: Tinopai, Matakohe
When:
Saturday 24th 9:30am-3:30pm
Booking required: email Mei-Ling Lee meilinglee@sangarchitects.com
Visitor notes: This is a construction site. Please bring sturdy shoes and leave children and pets at home.
Waimauku Passive House
A rural single-level Passive House with a contemporary design
Where: 123 Valley Road, RD1 Waimauku, Auckland 0881
When:
Friday 23rd 8am-12pm
Saturday 24th 9am-1pm
Booking required: email Nick Gaites nick@barefootarchitecture.nz
Ruapuke Passive House
Craft Homes have been building high-performance, eco-homes for years now and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to build one for ourselves. Our off-grid home in rural Raglan is under construction and aiming for Passive House Premium certification. We are fully off-grid with solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a natural septic system.
Where: Raglan
When:
Sunday 25th 9am-5pm
Booking required: email Catriona Tilsley catriona@crafthomes.co.nz
Visitor notes: Currently under construction, please wear suitable footwear. The driveway is steep and not sealed, please park at the top of the driveway and walk down if unsure.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/Q3cgwFL4
eHaus Whanganui Parthenay
This striking family home was the first in Australasia to be certified Passive House Plus. Its performance has been monitored and reported on and it also featured in the book Positive Energy Homes. The building’s simple rectangular form maximises energy efficiency and ease of construction. It was designed and sized to match the Ecoblock Wall system with minimum waste. It was initially certified as a Passive House by BRE UK in 2014. Sustainable Engineering subsequently certified it as a Passive House Plus in 2017.
Where: 590 Brunswick Road, Whanganui
When:
Saturday 24th 2pm-4pm
Sunday 25th 2pm-4pm
No booking required
PHINZ listing: eHaus Parthenay
eHaus Havelock North
Set in a quiet cul-de-sac this four bedroom architecturally designed home has an ensuited master, two doubles, and single/office. The main living space comprises of a modern slick kitchen and open plan dining/living areas, complete with large decks either side to provide that Hawke’s Bay indoor/outdoor living. The Zender mechanical heat recovery ventilation system silently provides fresh filtered air 24/7 while retaining the warmth.
Where: please contact Sharon below
When:
Saturday 24th 1pm-4pm
Booking required: Email Sharon sharonw@ehaus.co.nz or call 027 721 9324
PHINZ listing: eHaus Havelock North
The White House
We moved in about 11 months ago, so we are experiencing our first full winter this year. The project brief was “A home where … Scott and Meredith can live for a very long time enjoying the fruits of their labours with their garden and having amazing travel adventures. Their children can come and rejuvenate. Their grandchildren can grow and play. Their parents can choose to be if they want to be close by at the end of their lives.” We also achieved a 5-star LifeMark rating (universal design.) Photo: Andy Spain
Where: Carterton, Wairarapa
When:
Friday 23rd, 9am – 5pm
Saturday 24th, 9am – 5pm
Sunday 25th, 9am – 5pm
Booking required: email Scott White rince69@gmail.com (Scott)
Database listing:https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_7006
PHINZ listing: The White Home
Houghton Bay
Located on an incredible south Wellington site, this project has overcome challenging conditions and steep topography to achieve an amazing home. Spread across three levels, the design is targeting Passive House Certification
Where: Wellington
When:
Saturday 24th 1pm-3pm
Booking required: email Guy Shaw: guy@energyarchitecture.nz
Visitor notes: The house is accessible up a long run of external stairs from the street.
More info: Energy Architecture – Houghton Bay
Cheshire
The client wished to develop a small rear section on a Wellington hillside into a Passive House apartment and attached studio unit, certified to the Passive House Classic standard.
Where: Wellington
When:
Saturday 24th, 11am – 1pm
Booking required: email Guy Shaw guy@energyarchitecture.nz
Database listing: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_7187
PHINZ listing: Cheshire
Navigation Dr House
Built on a steep site at the head of a gully with a stream beneath. Building constraints of a stream covenant and stormwater/sewer easements provided a challenge for siting the house. It was designed to hover over the hillside, allowing light and ventilation on all sides. A stand of native kanuka trees protects the house and provides a backdrop from the inside. Clad in steel on the south side and dark timber cladding on the north. The living room and balcony cantilever out above the garage with views down the stream to the Pauatahanui inlet.
Where: 126 Navigation Dr, Whitby, Porirua 5024
When:
Saturday 24th, 10am – 12pm
Sunday 25th, 10am – 12pm
No booking required
Visitor notes: Please leave shoes at the door, to care for the wooden floor
PHINZ listing: Navigation Drive
Te Waipounamu – SOUTH ISLAND
Waikuku Beach
Where:
5 Queens Avenue, Waikuku Beach, Canterbury
When:
Saturday 24th, 11am – 3pm
Sunday 25th, 11am – 3pm
No booking is required: but please let Paul know by phone or text if you intend to visit 021 145 9099
Visitor notes: This is a lived-in private home with a friendly dog
Rātā Passive House Plus
A Beautiful ultra-energy efficient home (certified Passive House Plus) that delivers superior health and comfort. Located in the stunning Bushland Park, this home was cleverly designed to maximise space and encourage seamless indoor-outdoor living. Come and see what sets a Certified Passive House apart, experience the warmth and comfort for yourself and quiz the builder.
Where: 10 Bushland Place, Westmorland, Christchurch 8025
When:
Saturday 24th, 12pm – 3pm
Sunday 25th, 12pm-3pm
No booking required, but email Amanda Bielski amanda@ethoshomes.co.nz if you need more info.
Database listing: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_6924
Barrytown
A 185 sqm single-story house under construction being built by Chatterton Builders, now at lockup stage, pre-lining. Ventilation, sprinklers, German windows fitted, initial blower door result 0.35 ach.
Where:
1902 Coast Rd, 12 Mile, Barrytown, West Coast
(head to #1910 on google, then it’s the only house on the right)
When:
Friday 23rd, 10am – 2pm
Saturday 24th, 10am – 2pm
Sunday 25th, 10am – 2pm
Booking required: email Dave Anderson ldb.Anderson@hotmail.com or call on 0210461616 (bad reception though).
Visitor notes: This is a construction site, dress suitably and bring situation awareness
Helensburgh Rd Passive House
Wilson Builders are opening up one of their projects nearing completion in Dunedin which is targeting Passive House Classic certification. Architype are the architect and Passive House designer on this project. Come for a look at some of the Passive House details, experience what it’s like and have a chat with our team.
Where: Dunedin
When:
Saturday 24th, 9am – 12pm, 1pm-3pm
Sunday 25th, 9am – 12pm, 1pm-3pm
Booking required: call Bruce Wilson on 027 712 4892, or email on bruce@wilsonbuilders.nz
Visitor notes: This project is nearing completion, there will be construction site hazards. Please stick to the marked access route. Remove shoes at the door before heading inside.
Toiora Cohousing, Unit 11
Your chance to visit this 5 bedroom home in the Passive House certified Toiora Cohousing Neighbourhood and chat with the architect. As this particular open day is focused on Passive House (not cohousing) we are asking visitors to hold off exploring the rest of the Toiora development until one of the regular neighbourhood open days.
Where: 11/25 Alva Street, Dunedin. (Entry from High Street. Yellow front door)
When:
Sunday 25th, 1pm – 3pm
Booking required: email Tim Ross tim@architype.co.nz
Mountain Retreat in Bobs Cove
We are excited to host our first Passive House Open day! Come for a look, check out what Passive House and Low Energy Building is all about and chat with the designer & builder. We look forward to sharing the buzz!
Designed by: Carolin Friese architecture
Built by: Goodwill Building
(In the process of certification for PHI Low Energy Building.)
Where: Mt Creighton, Queenstown
When:
Saturday 24th, 10am – 1pm
Sunday 25th, 2pm – 5pm
Booking required: visit www.greendesign.co.nz to book
Visitor notes: There are stairs & ladders to climb.
