PHMass Presents: Western Mass Passive House Forum

Join Passive House Massachusetts for an afternoon of professional learning and community connection. This forum is designed to bring the Western Massachusetts high performance community together to explore field-tested research and a local project case study, followed by an afternoon networking reception. The event is free, though registration is required.

Session 1: Massive Learnings from Massachusetts Multifamily

Want to learn from the experience of more than 20 certified Massachusetts Passive House multifamily projects? Here in the Commonwealth, we are at the forefront of passive building adoption. This presentation synthesizes “best of” practices drawn from in-depth interviews with over 40 professionals—including developers, architects, and site supervisors. Passive House Massachusetts has uncovered critical lessons to help you skip common pitfalls, understand the most challenging aspects of certification, and hear how projects are bringing costs down.

This presentation dives into specifics about persistent issues with central ventilation, air infiltration “gotchas,” midpoint air tightness testing, and how design and engineering detailing affects success. Presenters Beth Campbell (Education Program Director, PHMass) and Alexander Gard-Murray (Executive Director, PHMass) will share recurring themes identified through this comprehensive assessment. Discover the specific knowledge gaps and educational needs highlighted by experienced practitioners to better understand where focused resources are most needed within the passive building community.

Session 2: East Gables: Scaling Passive House for Supportive Housing in the Pioneer Valley

How do you deliver a high-performance, all-electric project that balances rigorous energy standards with the specific needs of supportive housing? East Gables in Amherst stands as a compelling answer—a 28-unit studio apartment community that proves Passive House performance is both achievable and essential for resilient, affordable housing. This session provides a multi-angled look at the project's lifecycle, exploring how a shared vision across the development, design, and construction teams allowed this project to meet its ambitious targets on a tight village lot.

This panel discussion will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary coordination and share experiences navigating the complexities of the East Gables build:

• Mark Newey, Managing Principal, Airtight Energy Consulting (CPHC/Verifier)
• Laura Baker, Real Estate Project Manager, Valley Community Development (Developer)
• Tom Chalmers, President & Project Architect, Austin Design Cooperative (Architect)
• Jason Curtis, Senior Vice President, Tighe & Bond (Engineer)
• Lynne Badgett, Senior Project Manager, Western Builders (Contractor)

Reception

Following the presentations, please join us for a networking reception. This is an opportunity to connect with the afternoon's presenters, discuss the sessions with fellow attendees, and strengthen the local network of professionals committed to high-performance building in the Pioneer Valley and throughout Western Massachusetts.