Spring Conference
adaptability in a dynamic world:
Passive building as a framework for a more resilient built environment
Friday, April 18th, 2025
Resiliency in a changing world…
OK, you have done the homework, know your building science, built an energy model and created a gorgeous aesthetic with an optimized form for your passive project. What's left to consider?
It’s time to think about resiliency. What does it mean to build in a world affected by climate change? How can we leverage passive building to design buildings that withstand the worsening effects of climate change in our region? Please join our curated group of experts as we discuss how to adapt our building practices to meet the needs of the coming decades and more. For those who endeavor to create the highest levels of durability, health, resilience, comfort and energy efficiency in the built environment, this one-day conference will highlight one of the most important aspects of passive building.
We have four incredible keynote speakers, several panels, great food and drink, and lots of extra time to network and socialize with our community, including a tour of passive buildings in the greater Portland area. Please don't miss out on this great event!
Stay tuned as speaker bios, bus tour, and sponsor details get updated in the next few weeks!
Location
McMenamin’s Anderson Edgefield
Haynes Hall
2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale, OR 97060
Schedule
7:30a - 8:45 Registration and Refreshments
8:45 - 9:00 Opening Remarks
9:00 - 10:00 Keynote 1 Speakers, Mike Fowler & Claire McConnell
10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 12:00p Panel 1: Resilience in Buildings
12:00p - 1:30 Lunch & Vendor Time
1:30 - 3:15 Panel 2: Resilience Expanded…
3:15 - 3:30 Break
3:30 - 5:00 Keynote 2 Speakers, Kristof Irwin & Keith Simon
5:00 - 5:30 Closing Remarks
5:30 - 7:00 Post-Conference Happy Hour!
Speakers
Keynote 1
Mike Fowler
Mike is a seasoned expert in energy efficiency design, project management, and architecture, specializing in complex projects that prioritize sustainability. His extensive expertise spans crucial areas such as policy formulation, energy code development, occupant health, and decarbonization strategies. Mike has made a significant impact on the field through his local and international presentations, addressing critical issues like wildfire smoke protection, passive survivability during extreme heat events, and resilience in the face of power disruptions. As a Sustainability Integration Leader at Mithun, he is dedicated to innovative design solutions that push the boundaries of sustainability. His contributions have been instrumental in numerous projects achieving prestigious certifications and awards, including AIA COTE Top Ten, LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge Petal, Passive House, and Zero Energy, reflecting his commitment to creating a more sustainable future and an improved quality of life for all.
Claire McConnell
Claire is a building performance modeler and analyst with a passion for deep green building design. Her holistic approach to sustainability leverages climate-based passive and active building strategies, whole-building energy simulation, daylighting analysis, thermal comfort analysis, and whole-building life-cycle assessment. Her Masters in Sustainable Architecture from the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology and undergraduate background in civil engineering give her strong problem-solving capabilities and a unique perspective on the architecture industry. At Mithun, Claire works collaboratively across architectural and engineering disciplines to optimize project goals and elevate sustainability through building performance simulation, analysis, and evidence-based decision. Her knowledge of the intricacies of sustainability metrics and expertise in adapting scientific tools and methodologies to project parameters make her a valuable asset to any team.
Keynote 2
Architectural paradigms and Adaptation
Kristof Irwin
Kristof Irwin, P.E. is Principal and Founder of Positive Energy. Based in Austin Texas, Positive Energy provides building science consulting and high performance MEP Engineering to project teams across the country. Positive Energy’s recognizes that society is due for an upgrade in the way it thinks about and delivers indoor space to itself. We can and should expect more from our homes. Current understanding and technologies allow us to design homes that are healthy, comfortable, durable, exergy efficient, resilient and sustainable - all while also being outstanding architecturally.
Kristof’s background includes 12 years of experience as a custom builder (including deep energy retrofit and zero-net energy projects) and 19 years as a building science consultant and MEP engineer. Prior to his career in the AEC, Kristof worked for 14 years as an engineer, research scientist, and high-energy physicist for government and university research labs.
Kristof is active in the local and national high-performance building community including his roles with the Austin Passive House Alliance and the AIA Austin BEC and COTE committees. Kristof is also the host of the popular Building Science Podcast, which started in 2015, and is dedicated to moving the AEC forward through an understanding of building science and human factors in architecture, engineering and construction.
Keith SImon
An expert in building enclosure technology, Keith Simon addresses the critical and often unmet need for ensuring and improving building performance, resilience, and durability by guiding design teams, educating future architects, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchange. Keith is the VP of Design Phase Services at Salas O’Brien and is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). He is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), Legacy LEED AP, and Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP and CxA+BE) with over 20 years of experience in architectural design and building enclosure consultation. His experience includes peer review, design assistance, durability analysis, construction administration, testing, and forensics of building envelope issues. Keith was the founder of the AIA Austin Building Enclosure Council (BEC: Austin) and currently serves as a board member for BEC: Austin and the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Alliance Austin Chapter. He also serves as the Vice Chair for the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) executive committee and Scholarships Chair for the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). Keith has been adjunct faculty at UTSOA since 2011 teaching Environmental Controls, Building Science, Construction Detailing, and Design Studio.
Panelist info coming soon…
eMCEE
zACK sEMKE
Zack Semke is director of Passive House Accelerator, host of the Reimagine Buildings Collective, co-host of the Passive House Podcast, and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. He earned his BA in Human Biology with a concentration in Human Ecology from Stanford University. His career has included a stint as a policy advocate for progressive regional planning, 11 years as a professional taiko performer (he co-founded and co-directed Portland Taiko), and over fifteen years communicating and sharing about the power of Passive House practice to slow climate change and make us more resilient to its impacts.
Zack was introduced to Passive House by Sam Hagerman when he joined Hammer & Hand in 2009. He worked closely with Sam, Skylar Swinford, Dan Whitmore and others to share the Passive House approach via video, web explainers, infographics, speaking engagements, and a museum-style exhibit featured at AIA Oregon and the Living Future unConference. He has been a keynote speaker at several Passive House conferences across the US and was named a New York Build Construction Idol in 2023 for his work with Passive House Accelerator. He’s learning to sail in the Salish Sea with the goal of one day sailing the San Juans with his family.
Registration
Join us at the Spring Conference titled “Adaptability in a dynamic world: Passive building as a framework for a more resilient built environment” on Friday, April 18th, 2025, at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon. PHnw members, please make sure to check your email inbox for discount codes available that can be applied at checkout. If you are a student, please send an email to info@phnw.org with your school credentials to receive your discount code.
