This course will describe the design phase coordination between architect, contractor and Passive House consultant on the largest Passive House project in North America to date. It will also look at construction phase coordination between trades and the issues that arose in construction, verification and testing of the air barrier, including contractor pre-test assessment of the air barrier by the contractor’s quality team in preparation for the test.

Learning Objectives:

1. Through the use of a case study, describe the design coordination and integrated design approach needed for a Passive House project.
2. Explain the construction process and site coordination required to build a Passive House project through the use of a case study to provide guidance on critical areas and sequencing.
3. Explore the contractor’s ongoing quality control and assessment of air barrier installation prior to a test being performed to document performance.
4. Discuss the test on an air barrier system to understand how the test is performed to provide an air leakage result and compare it to expectations.

Martin Houston, AIA

Martin Houston, AIA is the Director of Learning and Development for Walsh Construction Company, a general contractor with offices in Portland, Seattle and Tacoma that specializes in wood framed multi family apartment construction. After practicing architecture for 16 years, Mr. Houston joined Walsh and has been focusing on overall building quality with an emphasis on the building enclosure. Mr. Houston is a LEED AP and a Certified Building Science Thermographer.