Event Description

This presentation explores applying Passive House building science to create highly durable, energy-efficient, and comfortable structures in very cold, alpine, and arctic climates. The focus is on achieving passive survivability—designing the building envelope to function like a thermos to maintain livable temperatures during a grid failure. This resilience is crucial given that increased electrification can make buildings and the power grid less reliable in harsh conditions. The presentation will show how to achieve greater energy security by minimizing the need for active heating.

A key topic is superior moisture management, detailing specific strategies to prevent high vapor drive from causing condensation and mold in structures with large temperature differences, thereby protecting occupant health and building integrity. We also address the unique construction challenges of high mountain elevations, specifically the risk of insulated glass unit failure due to pressure differentials between manufacturing and installation sites. This presentation provides essential, actionable knowledge for building professionals working in the world's most demanding thermal environments.

Learning Objectives - 

1. Analyze thermal bridge-free detailing and extreme airtightness to ensure passive survivability and maintain safe indoor temperatures during grid failures in very cold climates.
2. Describe moisture management strategies for high-performance envelopes to prevent condensation and mold growth, protecting occupant health and structural durability.
3. Evaluate Passive House principles to reduce reliance on active heating, thereby enhancing grid resilience and minimizing exposure to utility failure in harsh conditions.
4. Apply best practices for specifying insulated glass units at high elevations, mitigating pressure differentials to ensure long-term performance and structural integrity.