Passive House Design and Construction Principles (Module 1 CPHD/C course)

Learn to design energy-efficient and cost-optimal buildings by implementing the Passive House principles in your projects.

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Date

Module 1: 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 September 2026

Prerequisite

No prior knowledge is required.

However, if you wish to enter with some background knowledge you can start with the Passive House 101 online course.

Estimated Time

You will need about 30h to complete this course.

MODULE 1: Passive House Design and Construction

Passive house designer course

In Module 1 you will learn the Passive House principles in detail and how to apply them to design and build in various climates, from very hot to very cold zones. The module is highly practical, with principles explained through numerous case studies, including single-family homes, multi-family residential buildings, and office buildings. The lecture materials are developed based on the latest materials by Passive House Institute (PHI) in Germany and do cover ALL learning targets set by PHI for the Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant exam.

  • 8x3h live online sessions
  • Sessions are recorded so that you can re-/watch them at your convenience.
  • Includes interactive exercises, experiments and multiple case studies
  • This module is included in the All-in Package. For the most comprehensive learning experience, we highly recommend opting for the full package.

What you'll learn in Module 1?

Introduction to the Passive House Standard

Overview of the Passive House principles, certification and comfort criteria

Opaque building envelope

Insulation, airtightness and thermal bridge free design and construction techniques; suitable materials and construction systems and their effect on the heating and cooling demand

Windows

Choosing the right frames, glass panels and spacers; In-depth look at the placement and construction of the Passive House Windows and Doors and their components and efficiency

Ventilation system

Design principles of the mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery; ventilation system components, distribution and operation

Heating

Design principles of the heating system in Passive House buildings; mechanical system’s distribution and operation

Cooling and dehumidification

Design principles of the cooling and dehumidification system in Passive House buildings; mechanical system’s distribution and operation

Economics

Economics of the Passive House design and construction; cost and risk reduction; marketability

Quality assurance and building certification

Understand what has to be checked on-site and how to check it to make sure the building will perform as planned. The certification procedure and requirements will be explained in detail.

Passive House Retrofit

Strategies for retrofitting to the EnerPHit standard

Become worldwide accredited Passive House Designer with

Passive House Institute (PHI) certification

Certificate Passive House designer consultant Institute
Passive house database designer consultant
Certified Passive House designer seal Standard Institute
Certified Passive House Consultant seal Standard Institute

Meet your course instructors

Learn from industry experts

Svetlin - Passive House Certifier
Passive House Certifier seal tag
Certified Passive House Consultant seal Standard Institute

Svetlin Dobrevski

Co-Founder, Passive House Certifier, Certified Passive House Consultant

Svetlin is Passive House Trainer, Consultant, and Certifier globally accredited by the Passive House Institute. He designed, built, and now lives in the first Passive House Classic in Bulgaria. Svetlin has been delivering Passive House Designer courses for over 10 years and he trained 250+ people from over 20 countries. He has 25+ years of experience in the building sector and worked on numerous Passive House projects all over the world. He was also a keynote speaker at the International Passive House Conferences in 2017 and 2018. In his spare time, Svetlin enjoys hiking in nature, fencing, and archery.

Certified Passive House Consultant seal Standard Institute
Passive House Trainer seal
Leed Green Associate seal GA

Anton Dobrevski

Co-Founder, Certified Passive House Consultant & Trainer, Leed Green Associate

Anton became one of the youngest Certified Passive House Consultants in the world at the age of 16. He is also an accredited Passive House Trainer by the PHI and a LEED Green Associate. Anton graduated with a Master’s degree in architecture at the Delft University of Technology. Currently, he is designing and consulting multiple Passive House projects all over the globe. Anton is a passionate advocate of the Passive House Standard and his aim is to make the Passive House Standard accessible to people all over the world. In his spare time, Anton enjoys music, karate, yoga, and traveling.

What our course participants say about the course:

Successfully completed by 300+ students from over 35 countries

Mihai Toader-Pasti

Sustainability Leader, Bucharest, Romania

“Svetlin and Anton were amazing in teaching us a lot about Passive Houses in this intensive course. They not only made sure we understood the concepts, but they took time for us to know how to solve problems and do the exercises. They answered every question, more or less related to the course. It was great and I totally recommend this course.”

Dr. Jamal Alabid

Assistant Professor Univercity of Bradford, United Kingdom (UK)

The course is very interesting and covered most of the related design elements and principles that one needs to technically design and build at least a low energy building.

Muslim Mohammed

Founder Passive House Iraq

“Passive House School is one of the best academic centers in the world to acquire more knowledge and learn about the Passive House Standard. Sincere thanks to the team for everything they thought me and for all the help.”

David Nikuradze

Managing Partner at Spectrum, Tbilisi, Georgia

“The course was great. It was very useful and helpful and covered all the design principles of the Passive House Standard.”

Dmitry Yudin

D1 Construction, Sofia, Bulgaria

“I have filled a lot of the gaps in my knowledge. I have got, not only a lot of qualitative information but also a lot of practical experience from the instructors. It was very, very useful. I would recommend everyone to merge into the Passive House concept with the help of the Passive House School. Thanks a lot, guys!”

Joakim Ho

Building Designer at Natural Matters Design, Armidale, Australia

“I think the course was a great intro to PHPP and designPH. Svetlin and Anton are very knowledgable and together do a great job presenting the material.”

Basem Al Manzalawy

Director at Nepras Dubai International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“The course was perfect and I got lots of useful information.”

Jonas Hinz

Founder Baucore, Penrith, Australia

“Very good course and well explained, I liked being able to watch the course in my own time through the recordings as I was not able to attend, this was a great benefit no other course provider could offer!”

Khaleefa Al Hemli

Architect, Kuwait

The course was organized and goes deep into the core of the passive house design principles. The instructors went beyond the material of the course to explain and make sure every information they have provided is well understood. They even prepared materials to get us ready for the exam and make us familiar with the exam process. This is the best ever course... Beyond well organized and prepared. Really, you get what you ask for and even more!

Will Burton

Hecto Property, Bromsgrove, United Kingdom (UK)

"There is a lot to learn very quickly but I thought the course was well presented with a different topic each day. It was very good and I would highly recommend it! Thank you Anton & Svetlin"

Michael Sauter

Consultant, Circular Project, Christchurch, New Zealand

"The videos and additional questions made it easy to go back to topics as required, most of the content was very well and easy to understand presented."

Tom Cole

Architect, COLE+COMPANY, London, United Kingdom (UK)

"Well structured, organized, and communicated. The pace was good, spread over 2 weeks with a few weeks to study for the exam I thought was optimum. It was particularly useful seeing Svetlin's Passive House projects. The course is great & would highly recommend it. It has vastly improved my understanding of building technology and feel every architect should be taught this."

Joseph Keppeln

Economist CleaFinTech, Madrid, Spain

"Online, concise well explained with a possibility to ask questions at all times. You will leave the course understanding the dynamics and importance of energy efficiency not only for passive houses but all types of constructions, residential, commercial, or industrial. I am very satisfied with the dedication, inputs organization of the material and also online material."

Eduard Bucsa

Architect, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

"I liked most that the course was interactive. I personally think you have the best format I've seen so far for an online course with so many practical applications, with so much information, all presented in a relatively short time. It's definitely clear that you worked very hard to get it to this point. Congratulations! Honored I could attend to this and learn from you."

John Purcell

Engineer Kerry County Council, Tralee, Ireland

"I like most the presentations and practical examples, good explanations on thermal bridging and their impact. The course was excellent and very good to learn about passive design."

Eddy Schoonfeld

Self employed CAD-engineer specialized in yacht interiors, The Randstad, The Netherlands

The course is totally focused on and goes deep into learning about the Passivhaus standard. For me personally, it had a well-organized structure and covered the subjects extensively. The personal interaction with both Anton and Svetlin certainly added a lot to my understanding of the subjects. All in all, very good and inspiring!"

Bruno Guerre

Real estate investor, Engineer at MC2 invest, Aix-en-Provence, France

"effectivness / focus / organisation / team work. Very good traning!"

Zeid Bdeir

Projects Manager, Arab Technical Construction Company, Amman, Jordan

"The course was straight to the point, no time wasted, and well structured."

Olivia Laughlin

Architect at Fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors, London, United Kingdom (UK)

"The course was well structured and very well organised. Anton and Svetlin presented clearly and have a comprehensive knowledge of Passivhaus design, being able to answer any questions around the topics of discussion without hesitation. An excellent course that I am extremely glad to have participated in. The course has given me an excellent foundation on which to further build my Passivhaus knowledge and improve my sustainable design practice. 'Active' learning in the PHPP workshop helped to put the fundamental concepts of Passivhaus, covered in the learning seminars, into practice and makes the prospect of completing a PHPP worksheet for a live project less intimidating."

Carina Ramos

3k0 Architectural Design, Bristol, United Kingdom(UK)

"I am really happy with the content. I wish my teacher from the uni was explaining as good as you."

Thanos Psalidas

Civil Engineer at European Architectural Supply

"The course offered me a life/work/education balance. It being online and on-demand, helped me to fit it into my schedule. The feedback and answers to questions are almost instantaneous. Anton and Svetlin have deep knowledge of the field. The answers are sharp and to the point. The course is structured in a way that in my opinion, anyone can gain the knowledge and be able to implement it in their projects.
The greatest thing of all, I would say is the passive house school community. This is a great idea, and it will be really helpful in the future, not only to share information, and feedback with peers but also a way to connect with each other."

Broderick Jacobs

Environmentally Sustainable Design Consultant with Ark Resources

The course was very good! I liked the delivery and found the content engaging. I like that Anton is always happy to answer questions and provide extra explanations when necessary.
I really enjoyed using the online platforms for the course/community, it is very user-friendly and easy to pick up.

Rebecca Zammit

Perit Rebecca Zammit- Self Employed

Overall well structured, well presented and very informative. The course gives you the ability to be flexible with your study hours. Anton is always very responsive and a great help throughout. The online community platform is a great idea to keep connected during & after the course.

Cristiana Bondrescu

Civil Engineer -Freelancer

Great course, interactive, very well prepared teachers with background in designing and assessing Passive Houses, a great blend of theory and practical examples. Bonus you get to design a house in PHPP and get a strategy and tons of exercises in order to prepare for the exam. Great job Anton and Svetlin ! I highly recommend your course.

Tony Mcgrath

TMG DESIGNS Architectural planning consultants

I would recommend the Passive house school course if you are architect or engineer - Very good course, learned a lot from passive standards The method of the presentation is very nice and clear. The materials/course is important as fundamental knowledge of Passive House design. It was perfect!

Poone Yazdanpanah

M.Arch - Senior Lecturer in landscape architecture

Having pursued a Ph.D. in design for sustainability and adopting a holistic approach to sustainable architecture in the academic realm for over two decades, I found myself seeking practical knowledge to transition effectively into the industry. The course not only met but exceeded my expectations, providing me with the hands-on knowledge I needed to bridge the gap between theoretical expertise and practical application. As someone deeply committed to promoting sustainability and holding a position as an academic commissioner in the Essex Climate Action Plan Committee, I embarked on this journey with the hope of acquiring the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully to the industry. The course, with its well-structured content and expert tutors, has equipped me with the practical insights required to make a significant impact in the field. Upon completion and certification as a designer, I am eager to apply the skills acquired and contribute towards realizing net-zero carbon homes for the future, particularly in our county. I believe that the knowledge gained through this course will not only enhance my professional capabilities but will also enable me to contribute more profoundly to the ambitious goals set by the Essex Climate Action Plan Committee.

Dorotea Ferrito

PRC Architecture & Planning

I will definetely suggest it - This course was well organized and I really appreciated the fact that everyone can go at his own own pace , thanks to the recorded lectures

Martijn Wisse

Tender engineer, BigLift Shipping

All videos and explanations are clear. Good, very useful.

Giulia Pasqualini Galliani

Architect

I am really impressed by this course and the knowledge of Anton and Svetlin on the Passive House. The course is really well structured and also with additional imputs and infromation. Anton is really helpful and he is always available for any question or information. The Community is also a great tool to share knowledge and questions with other specialists and also with Anton and Svetlin.

Jack Byrne

Architectural Technologist

I found the course very interesting and relevant with the current push for more sustainable practices and buildings. Both Anton and Svetlin are very knowledgeable and keen on answering any questions we have as well as making sure people understood what was discussed in each session. It’s quite intense if you have a full time occupation but that’s not a critique of the course itself.

Patricia Assuncao do Rosario

Architectural Designer

I liked the fact that I could learn and complete the course at my own pace. Very well structured and thorough learning material, with a good amount of sample exercises and practice exam papers. The bonus learning material offered are great! They'll further help solidify what has been learned over the course.

Andrada Selter

Architect @ 108 ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATES

I am really happy with the decision of taking this course, the lectures are very well prepared and the theoretical informations are very well complemented by practical situations explained and by many tips and tricks. The flexibility of the parts which are harder is very wellcomed, as everyone has a different pace. The only thing that I think deserves a little bit of adjustment are the 2nd and 3rd module as timings and programmed meetings for questions, maybe more time and more meetings to keep a tighter schedule would be nice.

Pete Collings

Architect at PETE COLLINGS architect

Great, if you're looking for fast-tracked accreditation. The way it was delivered: Anton was clear and succinct with an ability to make sure the information was understood before moving on.

Martijn Wisse

Enquiry engineer at BigLift Shipping

The teachers were very good at explaining everything very thoroughly and answering questions of the students. It was also very good to have some practical experience with PHPP and the design exercises. The 4 hours in one sitting was a bit long for an evening course after work. For me 3 hour sessions from 17.00h to 20.00h would work better I think.

Alexandra Antal

Architect at HTA Design and Professional Studies Tutor at the Architectural Association

I am very happy with my decision to follow this course. Anton and Svetlin have a lot of knowledge & experience and they are great teachers.
Very well-structured and paced, the course has more than prepared me for passing the exams and becoming a Certified Passive House Designer: it has been a refresh of building physics and provided me with a lot of new information about energy efficiency.
I've very much enjoyed the option to join seminars live - online, or watch them at our own pace as it was easier to fit in with other obligations. The homework and exercises helped me bridge the gap between knowledge and application.
Much recommended.

Peter Winkelmolen

The course is well structured, I got a thorough understanding of all aspects of designing and building a passive house. Slides and online sessions as well as the videos are of good quality. Easy to follow. Exam preparation is well in excess of what is the minimum requirement.

Marianne Flemisch

Anton's extensive knowledge of all things Passivhaus and his clear enthusiasm passing that knowledge on to his students makes for enjoyable and successful learning. He never hesitated on any questions and offered comprehensive answers promptly. At all times helpful, also with IT, without which some of us would have been stranded.

Kemi Owoeye

Willmott Dixon Construction

The Passive House Certified Designer Online Course with Passive House School is an excellent program that provides in-depth knowledge of passive house design and building modelling. This training enhances my ability to engage in practical, collaborative discussions with interdisciplinary design teams and clients, all focused on creating buildings that genuinely perform for the well-being of occupants and the planet.

David Adams

Gondwana green heat

Good excellent, I would recommend it and do also recommend the 101 as a pre course to this course.

Neel Dakshy

Neel Dakshy Architecture Ltd

Excellent. Anton was very engaging, encouraging and patient.
I'd previously contacted another Architect that had recently done the course and they pre-warned that it would be very intensive, so this was expected, but I imagine if you hadn't know this, it might be quite daunting. I know some in the group were anxious going into the exam, but the general feedback immediately after was that the were well, if not over prepared, and grateful for it.

Joost van der Waal

Isoleerbewust

What I liked the most about the course is the profound knowledge in the course material and the great thorough explenation by Anton about the different kind of topics around Passive House. Anton is a new legend for me. With a great focus on the learning process. I couldn't join all the live sessions so extra plus that I could review the recordings like I was at the live session.

Diana Slavescu

Vision group Architects

Overall, I really like the course! I think it addresses a very relevant and timely issue, especially in the context of future building designs. The course content feels applicable and forward-thinking, making it highly valuable for anyone involved in construction, architecture.

Alma Baciu

Architect ( BADA Birou de Arhitectura )

GREAT COURSE!

Gabriela Martinez

Linguistic Tester with Welocalize

I appreciated the self-paced structure, which allowed me to learn at my own rhythm, and the recorded lectures that I could revisit whenever needed. Anton's upbeat and positive attitude made the learning experience engaging and enjoyable, and his openness to questions—both during and outside of class—was incredibly supportive. The course was thorough and detailed, with excellent use of photos, examples, and visualizations that made complex concepts easier to understand. The strong emphasis on practical imagery and clear explanations really brought the material to life.

Certified Passive House Designer / Consultant online course (Module 1)

Registration closes in:

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Learn everything about the Passive House principles and how they are applied in the design and construction of Passive House buildings.

Module 1

Included is:

€1299 excl. tax

Or 3 instalments of €459 excl. tax
Click here to set up your payment plan.

All-in package

Included in the package:

£1130 excl. tax

Or 3 instalments of £399 excl. tax
Click here to set up your payment plan.

All-in package

Included in the package:

$2199 excl. tax

Or 3 instalments of $779 excl. tax 
Click here to set up your payment plan.

All-in package

Included in the package:

$1399 excl. tax

Or 3 instalments of $499 excl. tax
Click here to set up your payment plan.

Register Your Interest

Passive house designer course package

Book a free discovery call

Ready to take the next step in your journey towards becoming a Certified Passive House professional?

Book a discovery call with us today! During this call, we’ll discuss your goals, answer any questions you have about our courses, and examine how our program can advance your career.

Find a time on Anton’s calendar to schedule your call today. 

Looking forward to speaking to you soon!

Want to learn more about the course and see whether it is a good fit for you?

By the end of this strategy session, you will have a clear understanding of the next steps you can take in your professional development to start designing and constructing Passive House buildings.

Find a time on Anton’s calendar to schedule your call today. Looking forward to speaking to you soon!
Anton Dobrevski Passive House School cofounder

Frequently Asked Questions

If your questions aren’t covered below, you can book a discovery call or chat with us.

Who is this course for?

Anyone can take part in the course! There is no prior knowledge required.

We’ve had a wide variety of course participants, ranging from professional architects and structural engineers to Bachelor students, investors, policymakers, salespersons, builders and even homeowners (who had zero knowledge about designing and constructing buildings).

Is any prior knowledge required?

No prior knowledge is required for this course. It is ideal for anyone willing to learn about the standard and/or to make their first step into the Passive House industry.

Only if you have zero experience with the design and construction process of buildings, we recommend you start with the Passive House 101 online course.

When will the next course take place?

To acquire the dates for the next course, please send us a message.

How long will I have access to the course recordings?

All attendees will get 3-month access to the course recordings after the course finishes.

What kind of software and tools do I need to take this course?

You don’t need any prior knowledge and experience with any software.

The whole course is conducted remotely and all materials are shared via the internet. Therefore, you should have a good internet connection. Speeds of 3 Mbps are required for the live sessions and 16 Mbps for the final online exam.

What materials are provided for the class?

All the slides and course material from the ‘Passive House Design and Construction’ module will be provided in a downloadable pdf format which you can then print and use during the preparation for the exam.

Is this course accredited by any institution?

Yes, the course is officially accredited by the Passive House Institute (PHI).

Does it matter which time zone I’m in?

No, it doesn’t matter which timezone you are in. You can take this class from anywhere in the world. Also, the material at the course covers design and construction strategies for all climate zones.

All live lessons are recorded and the lessons from Modules 2 and 3 are pre-recorded, so you can watch them around your own schedule.

If you can’t join most of the live sessions, then we will give you the opportunity to schedule a 1-on-1 call with Anton and/or Svetlin to discuss any questions that you have. And this, of course, will be for free… 

Are classes live? Do I have to log in at a specific time?

This course is structured into eighth 3-hour live online sessions. All live sessions will be recorded, so that you can rewatch them later while preparing for the exam or in case you were unable to join the live session. There are a few additional videos which are prerecorded to which we will give you access at the end of this course. 

Do I get a discount as a student or an iPHA Member?

Students and iPHA members get a 10% discount.

If you are an iPHA Member, please send an email to team@passivehouseschool.com with a link to your iPHA membership to provide you with a discount code.

If you are a university student, please send your proof of enrollment to team@passivehouseschool.com from your student email address.

Note: These discounts cannot be combined with other offers and discounts.

What is your refund policy?

You can find our refund policy on the Access Term, Refund and Cancellation Policy page. The Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant online course is a Single Live Passive House School Course.

Can I get an invoice for my purchase?

You will receive a receipt for your purchase which is tax compliant and can be used for claiming business expenses. For this, you have to enter your business details and VAT number (if applicable) on the checkout and you will receive your receipt via email after enrolling in the course.

If you live in a country where an invoice is required by law, the platform we use for our courses (teachable) will issue an invoice in PDF format for your purchase. If an invoice is not required by law, you will receive a receipt for your purchase.

IMPORTANT: To get a company receipt/invoice, you have to add your company name and tax number and click the apply button. 
If you provide a valid VAT number, tax will be automatically deducted at checkout. 

Still have a question? Book a discovery call or chat with us.

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