Ontario Construction News staff writer
Leaders and innovators in the high-performance building sector will gather in Ottawa next month for the seventh annual Passive House Canada Conference, marking the first time the national event will be held in the city.
Scheduled for May 5-7 at the Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, the conference theme is “Building Our Low-Carbon Future.” The event aims to bring together industry professionals, policymakers, and builders to discuss sustainable, resilient, and energy-efficient construction, according to a news release from Passive House Canada.
The organization states that the Passive House standard significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions through ultra-efficient building design and is an optimal strategy for emission reduction as its adoption grows in Eastern Canada.
“Embracing a low-carbon future is imperative for sustainable, affordable development; it paves the way for resilient communities and a thriving economy and planet,” Chris Ballard, CEO of Passive House Canada, said in the release.
Discussions and sessions, available both in-person and online, will cover topics including:
- Adapting buildings for climate change resilience.
- The connection between high-performance buildings and occupant health.
- Innovations in retrofitting existing structures.
- Strategies for affordability and policy development to encourage low-carbon construction.
The conference targets architects, engineers, builders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates, offering networking opportunities alongside technical sessions and case studies.
Additional events include a free public open house, a walking tour focusing on Ottawa Community Housing projects, and a bus tour visiting the La Pรชche Town Hall and the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Research Campus. Three related workshops are also scheduled for May 7 and 8.
Passive House Canada is a national non-profit association advocating for the Passive House building standard. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has designated the organization as an International Centre of Excellence for its work promoting high-performance buildings.
For registration details, see the conference website.