Designing passive house: From small scale to large impact

Name: Designing passive house: From small scale to large impact
Start: 2026-05-20T14:00:00.0000000+00:00
End: 2026-05-20T23:57:00.0000000+00:00
Location: Virtual

Join us Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 11 a.m. PT for the next ROCKonnect Masterclass

Build smarter, safer, and more resilient—starting with passive house fundamentals

As wildfires reshape the western United States and climate goals push building performance expectations higher, Passive House design is proving to be more than an aspirational standard—it's a practical framework for buildings that perform under pressure. From tighter envelopes to smarter material choices, Passive House principles deliver energy efficiency, durability, and occupant comfort at every scale.

This July, the ROCKonnect Masterclass Series brings together a residential architect and an experienced general contractor to explore how Passive House strategies translate from individual homes to larger, community-scale applications.

The discussion will address lessons learned and details from a variety of projects of different sizes. It will highlight why Passive House fundamentals, such as superior air sealing, continuous insulation, and noncombustible material selection create buildings that don't just save energy and increase occupant comfort, but also help your buildings stand up to real-world threats such as wildfires.

Webinar details

Date: Thursday, July 23

Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. PT

Location: This event is virtual. Experience the learning live from the comfort of your own environment!

Who should attend

Architects, builders, and design professionals working on residential or mixed-use projects who want to integrate Passive House principles at any scale—and for anyone who wants to get into high performance design strategies.

What you'll learn

How the five core Passive House components work together to deliver performance in both residential and larger-scale projects
Practical construction techniques and lessons learned from Passive House projects across the Pacific Northwest and California, from single-family homes to multi-unit developments
How certification pathways and energy modeling shape early design decisions, including setting performance benchmarks and aligning teams around measurable outcomes
Material selection strategies that meet energy and fire safety goals simultaneously, with emphasis on stone wool and other noncombustible materials for thermal efficiency and WUI resilience

Why attend

Real project insights showing how Passive House principles scale from homes to large scale buildings
Earn 1.0 AIA LU | HSW continuing education credit
Expert perspectives from a Passive House architect, an experienced builder, and a sustainable solutions manager

Event details

Date: Thursday July 23, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. PT
Location: Live virtual event
Credits: 1.0 AIA LU | HSW

Reserve your spot to earn 1 CEU credit. This session bridges the gap between Passive House ambition and on-the-ground execution, equipping you with strategies to design buildings that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and resilient to wildfire threats. Don't miss the chance to learn from professionals who are putting these principles to work across the western U.S. and beyond.

Featured speakers

Christian Kienapfel, LEED AP, CPHD
Architect, PARAVANT Architects

Christian is an internationally experienced architect recognized for advancing high-performance, sustainable building design in California, where he has practiced for more than 25 years. A Fulbright Scholar with Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Applied Sciences in Cottbus and Virginia Tech, he is a Certified Passive House Designer, LEED AP, and licensed in both California and Germany. Christian co-founded PARAVANT Architects, and serves on the board of Passive House California.

Marty Houston, RA, CDT, LEED AP
Learning and Development Director, Walsh Construction Co.

Marty is the Director of Learning and Development at Walsh Construction Co., where he is building a company-wide training system to support employee growth and share best practices. Previously, he served as Quality Director, leading architects and field quality staff to deliver durable, airtight, energy-efficient projects. He holds a B.Arch. from the University of Cincinnati, is a licensed architect in California, Washington, and Oregon, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a Certified Building Science Thermographer.

Todd Kimmel, CPHC
US Senior Manager Sustainable Solutions, ROCKWOOL

Todd is the US Senior Manager of Sustainable Solutions for ROCKWOOL North America and past Chairperson of the Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA). He has over 20 years of experience working on façade systems and the building enclosure, holding technical and business development leadership positions for multiple leading product manufacturers. He is a certified passive house designer and currently sits on the board of directors for New York Passive House (NYPH).

Resources & Support

Architect Resources

Meet your clients needs with ROCKWOOL’s high performance insulation. Access brochures, specifications and technical downloads in our digital library.

Consulting and Calculation Support

Building Science and Technical Services

Our technical team provides product, application and building science support for architects, designers, specifiers, builders, and anyone seeking technical assistance with the use of stone wool insulation.