Building cool, comfortable, climate-ready buildings

Picture a building in Manila on a sweltering afternoon – thick humidity in the air, yet inside the rooms stay cool, fresh, and quiet, with no staggering electric bill. That vision is what Passivhaus Philippines hopes to make a reality as it brings the world’s most energy-efficient building standard to the country.

The nonprofit launched this August with a webinar drawing architects, engineers, academics, and policymakers to explore how the Passive House Standard, a model for ultra-efficient design, can fit the Philippines’ hot, humid, and unpredictable climate.

“As temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes the new normal, we need to build smarter,” said Jessica Grove-Smith, Senior Researcher and Joint Managing Director of the Passive House Institute in Germany. She explained that airtight construction, proper insulation, good ventilation, and shading can cut energy use while keeping homes comfortable in sticky conditions.

Photo credit: Passive House Institute

Lessons from Sri Lanka

Examples from the region show it’s possible. Jordan Parnass, principal architect at New York-based Circular, shared insights from Sri Lanka’s first certified Passive House. “Yes, upfront costs can be higher, but savings from lower cooling and ventilation bills can pay off in a few years,” he said.

Scaling up for bigger projects

Dylan Martello of Steven Winter Associates, a consultant on the same project, showed how multi-unit housing and offices can drastically reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. “Certification matters,” he said. “It ensures projects truly deliver on performance.”

Adapting locally

In the Philippines, compact energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) now make Passive House adoption feasible even for smaller homes, said Norman Garcia, Executive Director of Passivhaus Philippines. Casiano Catapang of the Society of Filipino Foresters noted that retrofitting old houses can be tricky, but new builds offer a clearer path. Theresa Acedillo-Lapuz of Hi-Cool Engineering emphasized, “ERVs aren’t optional, they’re essential.”

Built to withstand heat and floods

The need goes beyond heat. With climate change fuelling heavier rains and sudden flooding, resilient buildings are increasingly a matter of safety as well as comfort. Garcia stressed that Passive House principles: airtight construction, durable materials, and efficient ventilation can help homes survive both heat and deluges.

Growing knowledge and support

Education is key. While only a handful of Passive House professionals currently work in the Philippines, training and free student access aim to build the next generation. Dr. Jennifer D. Del Amen, dean of the Northwestern University College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, noted, “There’s strong interest in sustainable design. We hope to see more certified projects soon.”

Support also came from the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines (GreenAP), Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), and United Architects of the Philippines Makati Greenbelt Chapter (UAPMGBC).

For Garcia, the goal is simple: “We want every Filipino to live and work in buildings that are not just energy-efficient but truly built for the future.”

About Passivhaus Philippines

Passivhaus Philippines is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting the Passive House Standard, a global benchmark for energy-efficient, low-carbon, and climate-resilient buildings. The organization brings together architects, engineers, planners, policymakers, contractors, academics, and the public to advance education, advocacy, and technical support for sustainable design.

Passivhaus Philippines envisions a future where all Filipinos live and work in healthy, comfortable, low-energy buildings that can withstand extreme weather. Interested individuals and organizations are invited to join the movement, support ongoing programs, and participate in upcoming events to help build expertise in high-performance, resilient buildings.

For more information, contact:

Norman Garcia

Executive Director

Passivhaus Philippines

Email: info@passivhausph.org

Published at Pilipino Express, October 1, 2025

Passivhaus Philippines - Building cool, comfortable, climate-ready homes