Contemplating qualifying as a Passive House Professional?
Here are some good reasons. I am running regular block courses at Unitec that prepare for the very tough exam. The first level course is ARCH8623: Essentials of Energy Efficient Housing Design. The second level course, with the option of sitting the externally assessed exam immediately afterwards is ARCH8625: Passive House Design.
The course intake for 2011 is closed; in 2012, ARCH8623 runs 25-29 June 2012, and ARCH8625 from 26 November to 07 December 2012. For quieries about tuition fees and enrolment, please contact study@unitec.ac.nz. For quieries about content, please use the contact form!
ARCH8623 is a precondition for ARCH8625. None of the courses are available for distance learning, and no course materials can be bought for self study.
ARCH8623 is a one week, full time introduction to designing healthy and energy efficient homes. It will help students understanding buildings better, and separating the wheat from the chaff with regard to strategies for improved energy efficiency. It is internally assessed with an exam at the last day of the course.
Topics:
• Surface to volume ratio: the geometric dimension of energy efficiency.
• Thermal building physics: what makes houses maintain warmth?
• Ventilation: energy efficient options for fresh air.
• Hot water: options to further reduce CO2-emissions.
• Indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency: where is the connection?
• The social dimension of energy efficient housing.
• Passive Houses: the spear head of energy efficient housing.
ARCH8625 runs full time for two consecutive weeks, and builds on ARCH8623, but goes into more detail. It is structured along the learning targets for the Certified Passive House Designer exam, which can be obtained here.
Immediately after course completion, students have the option of sitting the externally assessed exam leading to the internationally recognised qualification Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant. The external assessor (Passivhaus Institut, Germany) charges examination fees, depending on participant numbers and exchange rate (approximately $200-$400).