Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Materiality • Building Systems • Grasshopper

Passive House

Term from Architecture industry explained for recruiters

Passive House (also known as Passivhaus) is a building design approach that creates highly energy-efficient buildings that maintain comfortable temperatures year-round with minimal heating or cooling. Think of it like a thermos that keeps drinks at the right temperature - these buildings use special design techniques and materials to naturally maintain comfort. This approach is becoming increasingly popular as companies and homeowners look to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. When you see this term in a resume, it indicates experience with sustainable, energy-efficient building design.

Examples in Resumes

Designed three residential projects achieving Passive House certification standards

Led team in converting office building to meet Passivhaus requirements

Completed advanced training in Passive House design principles and certification

Successfully implemented PassivHaus strategies in affordable housing development

Typical job title: "Passive House Designers"

Also try searching for:

Sustainable Building Designer Green Building Architect Energy Efficiency Specialist Passive House Consultant Environmental Design Architect Net Zero Building Designer Sustainable Architecture Specialist

Where to Find Passive House Designers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you manage a project transitioning from traditional construction to Passive House standards?

Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss budget considerations, team training needs, timeline adjustments, and strategies for maintaining project goals while implementing new standards. They should mention experience with contractor coordination and client education.

Q: What challenges have you faced in achieving Passive House certification, and how did you overcome them?

Expected Answer: Should describe real project examples, problem-solving approaches, budget management, and how they balanced client needs with certification requirements. Should demonstrate leadership in resolving technical and practical challenges.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the key principles of Passive House design in simple terms?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain concepts like insulation, airtightness, ventilation, and solar orientation in clear, non-technical language, with practical examples from their work.

Q: How do you ensure a Passive House project stays within budget while meeting all requirements?

Expected Answer: Should discuss strategies for cost-effective material selection, energy modeling tools, and balancing initial costs with long-term savings. Should show understanding of value engineering.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What software tools are you familiar with for Passive House design?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic knowledge of energy modeling software and design tools, showing understanding of how they're used in the design process.

Q: What interests you about Passive House design?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic principles and show enthusiasm for sustainable design, even if experience is limited.