New Passivhaus Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work

A new Passivhaus Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Works, launched jointly by RIBA and the Passivhaus Trust, aims to help optimise the delivery of Passivhaus projects.

The RIBA Plan of Work organises the briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects into eight stages and explains outcomes, core tasks and information exchanges required at each stage.

RIBA has developed supplementary guidance in the range of overlays and tools that gather specific actions under one remit and offer more focused single-issue support. It is a valuable framework for architects, engineers, and project managers tackling large & complex projects.

This new Passivhaus overlay aims to help clients and project teams avoid risk and make informed, intelligent decisions at the right time to achieve Passivhaus certification in a streamlined and (cost) effective way.

Drawing upon the hard-won lessons learned from experienced Passivhaus designers and certifiers, the Passivhaus Overlay is the latest guidance for the RIBA Plan of Work, which signposts and acts as a strategic framework outlining what to do within each RIBA stage and who needs to do it.

Authored by PHT member Mark Siddall, the overlay includes a Passivhaus plan checklist, and responsibility matrix.

“I’m confident the Passivhaus Overlay will have great application and will assist many clients and project teams to deliver successful low energy and Passivhaus buildings - which also satisfy the RIBA 2030 challenge,” he said.

This guidance highlights the importance of front-loading the design process to define constraints and reduce project risks. Furthermore, when delivering Passivhaus buildings within the agreed budget, it recognises that a sound design and procurement process is fundamental.

“The much-anticipated overlay is another step towards mainstreaming Passivhaus and paving a smooth transition for the construction sector to deliver higher standards,” added Sarah Lewis, Research & Policy Director, Passivhaus Trust.

“We hope that this framework will help clients, designers and contractors become aware of their responsibilities throughout Passivhaus projects.”

Alex Tait, Director of Practice and Individual Knowledge at RIBA, said: “We commissioned this Passivhaus Overlay, in conjunction with the Passivhaus Trust, to help clients and project teams avoid risk and make informed, intelligent decisions at the right time in order to achieve Passivhaus certification in a streamlined and (cost) effective way.”