Scientific Board Decides on Comprehensive Programme: Emphasis on Modernization

On January 16th, the scientific board of the 10th Conference on Passive Houses was meeting in Darmstadt (see photo below). Thanks to the overwhelming return of abstracts (149 submissions) the board’s task was quite challenging since the number of possible presentations is limited. For members of the scientific board, abstracts had already been available in 2005 so that each expert was able to convince him-or herself of the respective quality. And in fact most of the following classifications were being established with consent among the experts:

• acceptance as presentation in a working group (combined with six pages in the conference proceedings)
• acceptance as poster ( additional two pages in the conference proceedings)
• recommendation for re-submission in 2007 after the abstract’s supplementation with further results
• recommendation as a contribution for the manufacturers’ programme of lectures
• no acceptance of the submitted abstract

All classifications and the appraisal of abstracts have been discussed and voted upon in the collective board. Only the most interesting abstracts with highest scores could be admitted to the schedule of presentations for the different working groups.

The Scientific Board of the Passive House Conference working
Starting on the left side of the circle, clockwise: Prof. Dr. Maria Wall, S Lund; Prof. Robert Hastings, CH Zürich; Dr. Burkhard Schulze Darup, Nürnberg; Dr. Wolfgang Feist, Darmstadt; Dr. Henk Kaan, NL Petten; Prof. Helmut Krapmeier, AT Dornbirn; Mark Zimmermann, CH Dübendorf; Barbara Löbau (PHI, recording); Dr. Rainer Pfluger, Darmstadt (from behind). Not in the picture, but taking part: Manfred Görg, Hannover; Responsible for written appraisals but excused for the board’s meeting: Dr. Peter Holzer, AT Krems. (Photo: John, PHI)

Based on the scientific board’s decisions it was necessary to restructure the main topics (cp. heading “Emphases” on the website). Due to numerous good abstracts in the field of implemented new building projects and modernization with Passive House elements, two working groups will deal with the topics architecture, model projects and modernization. This strong emphases of presenting realised projects is a most gratifying development since it corresponds with the target-orientated work of all active partners in the field of Passive Houses. Projects that have already been realised (or have almost been completed) and from which can be gained a lot for future planning, have primarily been chosen for presentations. Projects still in the planning or just started building process had to be postponed to the next conference.

But there is more: The regional and international implementation is showing noticable success. Altogether four working groups are dealing with various aspects of implementation, i.e. the example of the Hannover region (also in preparation for the field trip), extraordinary regional implementation programmes, networks for refurbishment of old buildings and international implementation achievements.

New developments in building technology as well as building services engineering tailored to Passive Houses is at the centre of numerous lectures, i.e. building components, ventilation technology, building physics and specific adjustments to requirements of international projects. All this is showing an ongoing dynamic spirit, which is going to be sensed on the Conference on Passive Houses as well.
In the field of non-residential buildings, a series of lectures will deal with “Passive House schools”. A field with numerous already realised projects and even more current planning and implementation. Two additional working groups are presenting extraordinary model projects with one group focussing on international projects.

For the first time, the 10th Conference on Passive Houses has got an international thread running through working groups no. IV, VIII, XII and XVI. In particular results from projects of the European Union (PEP and Passive.On) are taken into consideration as well as contributions from Japan, North America and China.

Preparations for the 10th Conference on Passive Houses

The Scientific Board has decided upon the acceptance of abstracts. The decisions of the Conference Scientific board are being made to the best of their knowledge and belief, without the possibility of recourse to legal action. A note informing the submitters of abstracts has already been sent out.

Time schedule of the 10^th International Conference on Passive Houses in Hannover

2006 February 1st:    information concerning the acceptance of submitted abstract has been sent out to authors

2006 February 28th: Final application date given the early booking discount
2006 March 15th:      Final closing date for accepted written contributions. To all authors: Please stick to this deadline.

2006 May 19th and 20th   10. Conference on Passive Houses HCC Hannover with Exhibition on Passive House Components and manufacturers session

May 21st field trip to the most interesting Passive House projects and construction sites incl. refurbishment in the region near Hannover.

(updated:2006-02-05   © Passive House Institute PHI; this page might be reprinted if unchanged)

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Passive House Institute, Dr. Wolfgang Feist. mail@passiv.de.