This course teaches key skills and knowledge required to confidently and efficiently build high-performance structures. Passive House requires novel construction details and methods not found in Code-minimum buildings. The quality of construction is crucial to obtaining Passive House certification. Passing the exam entitles the student to call him or herself a certified Passive House tradesperson, a badge of competence to proudly display in the marketplace.
Dates & location
The course is taught live in-person. The next course take place 14-17 April 2025, at Ara Institute of Canterbury city campus (Madras Street, Christchurch).
Detailed course outcomes
The course is designed to prepare qualified students for the PHI Certified Passive House Tradesperson exam. Understand the theory and practical application of:
- building science
- how heat and moisture move through building assemblies
- the overall Passive House concept
- thermal envelopes
- the three construction layers
- high-performance windows and doors
- airtightness
- ventilation
- thermal bridging
- building services for high-performance buildings
- shading and overheating
Course structure
The course is designed to make it as accessible as possible for busy workers in the construction industry. The course has been reorganised in 2025, in order to require less time off work, and in response to student feedback.
Day 1: Theory
Day 2: Review, theory, evening practical
Day 3: Full day practical work
Day 4: Review, examination
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for tradespersons—builders primarily but key sub-trades will also benefit eg plumbers and electricians. It is also suitable for suppliers of key components such as ventilation systems and high-performance windows. Students are usually a mix of business owners and employees.
Detailed outline
| Day | Schedule |
| 1 |
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| 2 |
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| 3 | Practical day
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| 4 | Review of day 2
Exam (optional) |
An optional listing on the upcoming Sustainable Engineering course graduates webpage will be offered to graduates.
Investment
$2070 +GST plus exam fee. A 10% discount applies to current PHINZ members; please supply your membership number.
Early bird rate of $1863 +GST applies to bookings made by 31 January 2025.
The course fee is due in full before the course begins.
The optional exam fee of $565 +GST is to be paid on day two of the course (once students are confident that they want to sit the exam).
Note this course has early starts and evening activities. We recommend students travelling from outside of Christchurch arrange accommodation near the venue ( and that all students minimise other commitments to the extent possible). Some study outside of class will be required once the course is underway.
Recommended resources and knowledge
This course is designed for New Zealand tradespeople. In order to fully benefit from this learning opportunity, students needs to be motivated and enthusiastic, to have understanding and experience of New Zealand construction systems and proficiency in mathematics to senior secondary school level.
How to apply
Please enrol via the Passive House Academy of New Zealand (PHANZ) website.
Limitations, liability and copyright
There will be no refunds once the course has been accessed so it is important that students understand the prerequisites and what is expected of them. This course involves mathematics and physics (high school level); this will not be taught in class.
The course materials such as handouts represent a significant investment in intellectual property. They are copyright and provided for your own use. They may not be published, copied or distributed.
In general, this course material is provided under our website terms and conditions. We wish to highlight the following:
The authors of the information in this course have used their best efforts to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. While reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information, the author(s) and Sustainable Engineering Ltd make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the information provided being suitable for any particular purpose. The information presented must be used with care by professionals who understand the implications of what they are doing. The author(s) and Sustainable Engineering Ltd shall not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising from, the use of the information contained in this course.