This session tackles the urgent intersection of climate policy and building performance. Opening with insights from Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA), it sets the scene on how regional climate goals align with the built environment’s carbon impact. Industry leaders Stephen O’Shea (Cairn Homes) and Emma Osmundsen (Passivhaus Trust / London Borough of Ealing) explore what it takes to bring Passivhaus principles into the mainstream. Tomás O’Leary (Mosart), Stephen Long (Scottish Futures Trust), and Jessica Grove-Smith (Passive House Institute) examine strategies for scaling up delivery at national and institutional levels. The session concludes with an expert panel discussion on policy, innovation, and pathways to a low-carbon, high-performance future.

This session showcases groundbreaking non-domestic Passivhaus projects across education, public sector, and community development. From the energy-efficient design of Trent View College to the collaborative delivery of the Fermanagh & Omagh Leisure & Wellness Centre and the sustainable vision behind Acorn Farm, speakers will share lessons on performance, partnership, and impact in large-scale, real-world applications.

Keynote Projects: Residential Chaired by Nathan Campbell, Queen’s University Belfast Sponsors: Build Homes Better, SIGA Social housing new build: Sunningdale GardensSharon Poots, NIHEShane Colclough, Energy Expertise Social housing retrofit: Cables Wynd & Linksview HousesJames York, Collective Architecture Private housing: Lancaster Park (PHI LEB)Iain Stewart, Formative Architects

This session explores real-world lessons from delivering large-scale Passivhaus new builds. From DAERA’s next-generation college campus to the Portmarnock Drumnigh Oaks housing development, project teams share insights on design coordination, construction challenges, and performance verification—showing how Passivhaus standards translate from blueprint to reality.

This session focuses on the technical and organisational lessons learned from delivering complex Passivhaus retrofits. Featuring Libraries NI and Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre (SNRC), speakers will unpack design strategies, material choices, and collaboration models that achieve deep energy savings while extending the life and comfort of existing buildings.

This session dismantles persistent myths around cost and feasibility in delivering Passivhaus projects. Experts examine the financial, regulatory, and operational realities driving adoption—from ESG and net-zero financing to EU performance directives, cost transparency, and occupant outcomes—showing why Passivhaus is no longer optional but essential for future-proof design.

This session explores how Passivhaus retrofit strategies can tackle fuel poverty and advance equitable climate action. Speakers address national policy frameworks, phased retrofit methods, project economics, heritage adaptation, and financial access—offering practical pathways to scale deep retrofit while improving comfort and affordability.