To register for our Reimagine Buildings: Best of Retrofit online conference on Friday, December 5, 2025, visit https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/

In episode thirteen of The Reimagine Edit series of the Passive House Podcast, host Zack Semke shares selected clips of insights from Al Mitchell, Kimberly Llewellyn, Greta Tjeltveit, Ya’el Santopinto, Wolfgang Feist, and Lisa White.

This episode is split between two topics. The first addresses one of the most common questions veteran members of the high-performance building community hear from those who are new to the industry: How do you get your start? For some, that route may be through the trades. For others, it may be through design. There are also less orthodox pathways, particularly for folks with backgrounds in modeling, data management, or consulting. No matter what your background is, this episode provides some practical advice on beginning a career in high-performance building.

The second topic is retrofits, particularly the new Phius REVIVE standard. Guests Lisa White and Al Mitchell, both of Phius, describe the basics of REVIVE and how resilience became the driving rationale behind the standard.

The Reimagine Edit is a special series of the Passive House Podcast that shares curated insights from our Experts-In-Residence at the Reimagine Buildings Collective, our membership community of building professionals stepping up to tackle climate change. Learn more about the Reimagine Buildings Collective at https://www.reimaginebuildings.com

To register for our Reimagine Buildings: Best of Retrofit online conference on Friday, December 5, 2025, visit https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/

In this episode of The Passive House Podcast, Mary James interviews James Hartford and Juhee Lee Hartford of River Architects in Hudson Valley. The discussion covers the firm's focus on Passive House projects, mostly single-family homes with a mix of new constructions and retrofits. They touch on their first retrofit project affected by Hurricane Sandy, the evolving client interest in Passive House standards, and the firm’s growth from two to ten employees. They discuss the financial and practical challenges of Passive House projects, including material and energy considerations, involvement in advocacy through Passive House Hudson Valley, and the growing demand for such homes. They also highlight the benefits of prefab construction in difficult climates and the importance of builder experience.

https://www.riverarchitects.com/

Best of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registration

Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.

In this episode of the Passive House Podcast co-host's Jay and Mary chat with Emily Mottram, founder of Mottram Architecture, about her architectural firm and her passion for building science and low-carbon residential architecture. Emily discusses her firm's focus on retrofits and new builds, explaining their approach to sustainable architecture using eco-friendly, bio-based materials. She shares insights on the complexity and importance of retrofitting existing structures, the challenges and benefits of panelized construction, and the holistic methods she employs to ensure the health and safety of building occupants.

https://www.mottramarch.com/

Best of Retrofit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/reimagine-buildings-retrofit/registration

Thank you for listening to the Passive House Podcast! To learn more about Passive House and to stay abreast of our latest programming, visit passivehouseaccelerator.com. And please join us at one of our Passive House Accelerator LIVE! zoom gatherings on Wednesdays.