i've never once said to get rid of cars, all i've ever said is don't stand in the way of making spaces more human-centric and better for people not driving (which in the end actually makes it better for those driving too but whatever...)

A simple note of thanks received today… Wow.

So that’s a wrap of probably my fave PH conference ever. Hotel Marcel is a dream. I’ve had a BLAST meeting the rock stars of implementation, not waiting around for code to move, but just blasting forward to get shit done. Go team PHN. #PHN2026.

Tim challenged the theme: ‘Profit by experience,’ asking who profits and what’s the experience? Reminding us to keep focused on human outcomes beyond spreadsheets and that electrification needs Passivhaus to remove its massive emissions footprint from so many heat pumps…. (Mic drop.) #PHN2026

Closing plenary by Timothy Lock from Opal drove home the playful punk anarchy ethos embedded in PHPP. (Yes, who knew?!) Loads of flexibility in how to achieve a caring outcome, full of ‘what if’ possibilites. I’m buying ;) #PHN2026

And in California Frontier Energy study confirmed both SFH’s and multifamily bldg’s meet T-24 2025 code compliance in all climates, with opportunities to update CBECC for more granular calibration. #PHN2026.

Had to moderate the most anticipated session of #PHN2026 today so my reportage is delayed, but here’s the more slide: PH multifamily buildings now undisputed perform well above IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 baseline codes in all climate zones. So add alternate compliance pathways already, dammit!!!

The fabulous Paul Ormond breaking down grid benefits of PH with measured data PROVING massive grid benefits of PH+Allelectric. Duh. #PHN2026.

Alexander G-Murray introduces the new essential acronym: DRIPE (demand response something something energy) in his analysis of grid benefits for building to Passive House in MA. “PH incentives are making energy more affordable for ALL ratepayers!”

And the friction between T-24 not being able to recognize so much of PH’s high performance superpowers is being delt and felt in Altadena. Ugh. #PHN2026.

Fantastic survey data from Altadena on Passivhaus design choices and approaches. #PHN2026

Day 2 of #PHN2026 kicks off with a session on growth & rebuilding in CO & CA. Fort Collins launching a pre-approved plan program to deliver affordable PH at scale. Altadena collective advocating for PH rebuilds.

Oliver style talks about #Passivhaus retirement communities in northern Spain. 80% Savings in operation accelerated the upfront cost payback the payback. #PHN2026

If not now, then when??? Cecil Shaub asks the 1$MQ. Also shares the capex opex: 5% upfront premium not recovered on energy saving but more than paid back on comfort, resilience and maintenance reduction.

70% whole building energy reductions!!!! Measured. We can make BIG change happen fast (when we give up on bullshit incrementalism) Cecil Shaub (with my addition in parenthesis.) BB reporting live from PHN2026 in New Haven.

Another session on historic retroPHit of Rubin Hall in NYC follows the journey of how to replace windows with high performance replacements, while keeping the historic look of the building. #Passivhaus challenges and solutions shared here at PHN2026.

The ROI math on #Passivhaus hotels: adds $6 MILLION dollars in asset value to Hotel Marcel.

Very simple building decarb toolkit for Hotel Marcel, enhanced by #Passivhaus modeling, shared by Bruce Becker. Sizable solar array with battery storage and micro grid. Passivhaus envelope, low load appliances and all electric kitchen makes this viable.

Bruce Becker saying “Passivhaus is not a luxury. It’s a value engineering strategy that provides the financial freedom to pay the mortgage.”

I’m at PHN’s conference at Hotel Marcel: a brutalist building that’s been retrofit to #Passivhaus EnerPHit standard. Packed house! Learning from the masters in a Breuer building.

If you’ve been fighting for #MissingMiddle, #GentleDensity or affordable #RooftopSolar, or maybe even energy efficiency, you need to pay attention to local city design guidelines updates. Here’s a doozie currently being reviewed by the City of #Sunnyvale: www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-l...

Anyone wondering why #rooftopsolar installs in California are so high, look no further than city design ‘guidelines.’ (These are the ‘new’ guidelines proposed by Sunnyvale..) Most mandate complex forms which turn roofs into a cluster of complexity, making PV a PITA to install. Such a sad own goal…

I voted today for @katyporter.bsky.social because: - she has political chops AND experience - California needs to (finally) elect a woman Governor - because governance by billionaires is an oligarchy, not a democracy. Go Katy!

Anyone else seeing Californian cities remove design from their 'Design Guidelines' and replace it with arithmetic exercises? Can't see how this will ever deliver "thoughtful planning and design." Check out this Sunnyvale DRAFT: docaccess.com/docviewer.ht... cc. @cafedujord.bsky.social

Transferring my ‘Boxy But Beautiful’ #BBB hashtag over to this platform and awarding it to this classic posted by #rocketsurgeon @maxdubler.com :)-

Singing my song!!! Junked up forms are NEVER ‘better design’ and ALWAYS add cost, complexity, lower structural outcomes, higher energy use and lower durability. It’s 2026 people. Just say NO to planning departments who still want this shite.

A minivan-replacement program in San Francisco would be epic! How about it Mayor Lurie? @luriedanielfavors.bsky.social clearly there’s already momentum:

Wanna know how the flow of electrons is literally shifting the centers of geo-political power? This is exactly the kind of heresy I’m here for: energyandstuff.substack.com/p/pax-electr...

Holiday music with updated lyrics to suit the moment. 🙌🏽

Hear @passivehousebb.bsky.social on the latest Marketing Passivhaus, discussing her passivhaus journey, the difficulties of marketing passivhaus to policy makers (and architects!), how parameters set you free, and more. Listen to the full episode here => marketingpassivhaus.com/episodes/bro...

he may not like it - but someone needs to tell @mayorofseattle that this is what climate action *actually* looks like

Delighted to be working with @bpublicprefab.com to make beautiful, #SmokeTight, fire resilient homes easy to build in California. This one is my nod to Gregory Ain - and LA architect whose work and life I have much admired. (More designs coming soon.)

You always know when you’ve found your people. [Unusually uncrowded day outside ODC, SF.] cc.@americanfietser

we've known that shades for solar protection go on the outside of the window for *centuries*

you don't need 20' front yard setbacks for a high quality of life or good neighborhood character

Remember how during an actual pandemic, we couldn’t get these same ash*les to WEAR masks? Insane that we now need a law to force them to take them off.

Required viewing

This is the ICE we should be funding in the US

Important to recognize that this BOE competition by @nyserda.bsky.social was modeled after the Brussels BOE program. NY replicated it after Tour of Brussels organized by @TomasO’Leary & supported by @PassiveHouseNetwork.

an “environmental” law was used to extort a high speed rail agency to paying tens of millions for a highway expansion. CEQA is completely broken and impossible to defend at this point

From my visit to SF MOMA today, evidence of Californian history on a repeat cycle:

The sign authors forgot the follow-up: we decided public housing is icky and imploded it and built a smaller number of public housing townhouses with lots of surface parking in the middle of a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in its place!

Celebrating these #BoxyButBeautiful row houses, proving that simple is sexy, easier to build + much easier to repair and maintain!!!

Blast from the past: over-framing at the roof of my Sunnyvale project from 2016. Should be standard construction detail but I’m still struggling to get this done on the reg in my current projects.. [Sigh.]

Happy to see more #ElectrifyEverything peeps looking upstream (and realizing we live in a third world product market.)

I don't think people understand the *massive* gulf between fire injuries/deaths and traffic violence. Here's an example: Average annual fire injures in Berkeley: 2 Average annual traffic injuries in Berkeley: 694

good question. Hey passivhaus folks with homes in suburbs/away from arterials/highways: how often do you have to change your HRV filter? does it ever get as dirty as in my photo above? @passivehousebb.bsky.social @wolfgangfeist.bsky.social @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social @ecominimalnick.bsky.social

What every west coast city needs right now is a full Zoning Holiday. NOT new stock plans, and NOT a stop to energy code progress. Here’s a proposal for two viable fixes: www.linkedin.com/pulse/ration... (👀@matthaneysf.bsky.social, @sonjatrauss.bsky.social )

you know how i keep harping on the mayor's comp plan limiting density to arterials? this is the filter on a passivhaus over a block off MLK. the dirty one was replaced 24 february. 20 days. the white one is what it looks like brand new. due to road particulates, needs to be changed monthly.

Seeking recommendations for an 8” duct mechanical damper for a range hood make-up air supply intake. Needs to seal tight enough for #Passivhaus. (Pressurization and depressurization.) Any suggestions @energysmartwv.bsky.social @lanefab.com @andrewmichler.bsky.social ?