Guacamayas, Colombia: Passivhaus terraced housing

ideadmin on 26 March 2026

Guacamayas, Puerto Madero is an ambitious 19‑hectare eco‑community near Cartagena, Colombia, designed to Passive House standard and Low-energy terraced housing planned to scale to more than 2,000 dwellings.

Guacamayas, Colombia: Passivhaus terraced housing

Passivhaus certification

Description

Guacamayas, Puerto Madero (Cartagena, Colombia)
PHI Low Energy Building certification

Guacamayas, Puerto Madero is an ambitious 19‑hectare eco‑community near Cartagena, Colombia, designed to Passive House standard and planned to scale to more than 2,000 dwellings.

Praxis acted as Passivhaus certifier for the project, working alongside Eficasia and Consinfra to translate high‑performance building science into a hot‑humid Caribbean context. Our scope combined PHPP review with field verification and targeted recommendations to de‑risk performance and durability.

Puerto Madero’s vision is to mainstream resilient, ultra‑low‑energy housing in tropical climates, using design strategies such as orientation, shading devices, reflective colours, cellulose/EPS insulation, and efficient dehumidification / ventilation / cooling—to drive deep demand reduction and lower running costs for residents. The wider development, located ~7 km from Cartagena’s historic centre, continues to advance as a benchmark for climate‑adaptive, health‑first housing in Latin America.

The project won the international Construction21 Green Solutions Awards 2024-2025 in the Health & Comfort category, winning Special Mention for Hot Climates.

Guacamayas demonstrates how Passive House know‑how can be thoughtfully adapted to the hot and humid climates in the Caribbean—delivering comfort, air quality, and robust efficiency in a replicable way.

Green Solutions Awards Guacamayas Puerto Madero

Green Solutions Awards Guacamayas Puerto Madero - Health and Comfort Prize

Green Solutions Awards Guacamayas Puerto Madero - Hot Climates Prize

Photos: Eficasia & Consinfra

Year: 2026
Location: Guacamayas, Puerto Madero, Cartagena, Colombia
Architecture: Eficasia, Consinfra
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus certification
Passivhaus Certification Class: PHI Low Energy Building
Climate zone: Hot
Floor area: 190 m2
Thermal envelope area: 586 m2
Blower Door result: 0,99 n50
Heating Demand: 60 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: 118 kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption: 61 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 61 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 20 kg/m2·a

Dillon House, USA: office building EnerPHit retrofit

ideadmin on 23 March 2026

Dillon House is a three‑storey, 5,800 ft² administrative building at Harvard Business School, home to the MBA Admissions office.

Dillon House, USA: historic office building EnerPHit retrofit

Passivhaus certification and Retrofit

Description

Dillon House, Harvard Business School — EnerPHit certification, design-stage review

Dillon House is a three‑storey, 5,800 ft² administrative building at Harvard Business School, home to the MBA Admissions office. Designed in Georgian‑Revival style as part of the original campus plan and ultimately constructed in 1965, the building’s cultural value and façade character were central constraints for the retrofit strategy.

RDH Building Science led the Passive House design consulting for the project. Praxis was appointed by designLAB architects as the Passivhaus Certifier.

Our Design Stage Review identified design strategies to meet EnerPHit+I Component Method certification. We also provided recommendations for alternative certification pathways, given that planning restrictions and cost constraints presented challenges for compliance with the EnerPHit Component and Primary Energy targets…for example, EnerPHit Step‑by‑Step: an approach that pre‑certifies the first retrofit phase against a comprehensive EnerPHit Retrofit Plan (ERP), with full certification upon completion of all planned steps (after achieving ≥ 20% reduction in PE/PER or demand in the first step).

Photo: School Wide

Year: 2024

Location: Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA

Architecture: DesignLAB Arquitects

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus certification and Retrofit

Classe de certificación Passivhaus: EnerPHit+i (Component method) Classic

Climate zone: Cool-temperate

Floor area: 331 m2

Thermal envelope area: 874 m2

Blower Door result: 1,04 n50

Heating Demand: 68 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 12 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption EPR: 170 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 160 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 92 kg/m2·a

La Termal: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

ideadmin on 3 March 2026

The La Termal project is a newly built, positive‑energy multifamily residential building located in La Garriga, comprising 14 dwellings.

La Termal: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

Passivhaus consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness testing

Description

The La Termal project is a newly built, positive‑energy multifamily residential building located in La Garriga, comprising 14 dwellings. The building has been designed in accordance with the Passivhaus Plus standard, ensuring high levels of hygrothermal comfort and a drastic reduction in energy demand through optimized passive design strategies.

The project is part of the European REN+HOMES programme, which focuses on innovation and industrialization in the construction sector, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and the implementation of advanced construction solutions.

The structure and thermal envelope are executed using the industrialized EVOWALL system, which provides high levels of thermal insulation, airtightness, and thermal bridge control.
The façade combines an ETICS system (SATE) with a ventilated façade, incorporating high‑performance windows, triple glazing, and solar protection systems to minimize thermal loads and optimize the building’s passive behaviour.

Each dwelling is equipped with an independent VRF HVAC system, complemented by hydro kits for domestic hot water (DHW) production, maximizing overall annual energy performance.

Ventilation is provided by a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) using a Zehnder heat recovery unit, ensuring high indoor air quality and significant reductions in heating demand.

The building integrates a photovoltaic array sized to achieve a positive‑energy balance, generating more energy annually than it consumes. This performance is achieved through the combination of an ultra‑low‑energy envelope, high‑efficiency active systems, and distributed renewable generation.

Together, these solutions minimise energy consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions, improve indoor comfort, and ensure optimal air quality in all dwellings.

Links:

Web PEP

Web iPHa

Photos & renders: HEM Green & Balanced Architecture

Year: 2026

Location: La Garriga, Barcelona, España

Architecture: HEM Green&Balanced Architecture

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness testing

Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Plus

Climate zone: Cálida

Floor area: 605 m2

Thermal envelope area: 948 m2

Blower Door result: 0,6 n50

Heating Demand: 6 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 14 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 43 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 36 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 38 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 13 kg/m2·a

Learnlife Eco Hub: aula Passivhaus

ideadmin on 16 January 2020

Consultoría y diseño Passivhaus para el Eco Hub, un centro de sostenibilidad e innovación educativa, situado en primera línea de mar en Castelldefels.

Learnlife Eco Hub: pop-up learning space

Passivhaus, Blower Door, Ingeniería instalaciones

Descripción

Praxis ha realizado la consultoría y el diseño Passivhaus para este Eco Hub, un centro de sostenibilidad e innovación educativa, situado en primera línea de mar en Castelldefels. Diseñado por Sol Espoille y el equipo de Learnlife, se basa en la filosofía de proporcionar espacios que ofrezcan “una mejor forma de aprendizaje, respaldada por la ciencia y la investigación, que se centre en el alumno y en el aprendizaje personal, autodeterminado, e inspirado en un propósito”.

Ganador del premio Green Solutions Awards 2022-2023 de Construction 21 España en la categoria Low-Tech, el Eco Hub consta de dos módulos industrializados de estructura de madera, construidos por Tall Fusta con materiales saludables y de bajo impacto ambiental. Las ventanas son de Elke Wood Windows, con carpinterías de madera meranti, con vidrios doble bajo-emisivos con gas argón. Cuenta con un sistema de ventilación controlada con recuperación de calor Zehnder, para una óptima calidad de aire, y ha alcanzado la certificación Passivhaus Classic.

Praxis ha realizado la simulación energética en PHPP, el diseño de la envolvente térmica y capa hermética, asesoría en materiales de bajo impacto y saludables, y optimización y cálculo de los puentes térmicos y detalles constructivos.

Hemos realizado además el dimensionamiento y la prescripción del sistema de ventilación controlada de doble flujo con recuperación de calor para garantizar una alta calidad del aire interior con un gasto energético mínimo, junto con el sistema de climatización y producción de ACS. En obra, Praxis ha realizado los ensayos Blower Door para la comprobación de la ejecución de la hermeticidad del edificio y una asistencia a la DF mediante visitas de control Passivhaus.

Photos de Jordi Vila Marta – Argotphoto

Base de datos de proyectos Passivhaus Internacional

Base de datos de proyectos Passivhaus la Plataforma PEP

Base de datos de proyectos de Construction21 España

Año: 2021

Lugar: Castelldefels, Barcelona

Servicios:
Consultoría Passivhaus, Ensayos Blower Door, Visitas de control Passivhaus, dimensionamiento y prescripción de sistema de ventilación controlada de doble flujo, dimensionamiento y prescripción de sistema de climatización & producción de ACS

ICONIC: High performance sports centre, Andorra

praxisadmin on 10 January 2023

Cramea: centro deportivo de alto rendimiento

Description Passivhaus design and consultancy for a high-performance sports centre located at 2600 metres above sea level in El Pas de la Casa, Andorra. This 9000 m2 building, designed by Engitec, is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification. Praxis has done the PHPP energy modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice …

Cramea, High performance sports centre

Passivhaus

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy for a high-performance sports centre located at 2600 metres above sea level in El Pas de la Casa, Andorra. This 9000 m2 building, designed by Engitec, is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification.

Praxis has done the PHPP energy modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, and analysis and optimisation of thermal bridges and construction details.

We’ve undertaken thermodynamic analysis of the building, using Design Builder (EnergyPlus), to assess thermal comfort and analyse the risk of summer overheating in critical zones in the building.

We have also consulted on mechanical and electrical system design, with proposals for improvements and compliance with the Passivhaus standard, to ensure efficient operation and low maintenance costs. Finally, we have provided with on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

Year: 2022

Location: El Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Services Passivhaus design & consultancy, thermodynamic simulation, M & E consultancy, and site supervision

Can Mati, Catalonia, EnerPHit Classic home

ideadmin on 17 July 2025

Description Can Mati, Viladecans Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic Retrofit of a Historic Farmhouse Located in Viladecans (Barcelona), Can Mati is a historic rural building that has been sensitively renovated to become the first Passivhaus-certified home in the city. The deep energy retrofit retained the existing structure and architectural character while creating generous, light-filled interior spaces. The …

Can Mati, Catalonia, EnerPHit Classic home

Passivhaus Consultancy & Blower Door testing

Description

Can Mati, Viladecans

Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic Retrofit of a Historic Farmhouse

Located in Viladecans (Barcelona), Can Mati is a historic rural building that has been sensitively renovated to become the first Passivhaus-certified home in the city. The deep energy retrofit retained the existing structure and architectural character while creating generous, light-filled interior spaces. The project has achieved Passivhaus EnerPHit Classic certification.

The energy retrofit focused on improving the thermal envelope and installing efficient MEP systems, as well as an on-site photovoltaic array for self-consumption. A remarkable airtightness value of n50 = 0.5 ach was achieved—meeting the Passivhaus criteria for new builds—by using simple solutions such as plaster finishes and existing roof membranes, with airtight membranes applied only in specific locations.

Wherever feasible, insulation was applied externally. Due to conservation constraints, the upper part of the main façade was insulated internally using cork aggregate and lime-based Diathonite mortar (by Diasen), while the courtyard façade was externally insulated with a rock wool ETICS system and lime-based Com Cal render. Horizontal elements were insulated with wood fibre, and an additional XPS layer was added above the roof membrane to prevent interstitial condensation. The result is a respectful, high-performance retrofit that has reduced heating demand by 90% compared to the original condition—setting a benchmark for energy-efficient retrofitting of historic buildings.

Links:

International Passivhaus Projects Database
Spanish Passivhaus Projects Database

Year: 2021

Location: Viladecans, Catalonia, Spain

Architecture: Daniel Tigges – Tigges Architekt

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy & Blower Door testing

Passivhaus Certification Class: EnerPHit Classic

Climate zone: Warm Temperate

Floor area: 208 m2

Thermal envelope area: 783 m2

Blower Door Result: 0,52 n50

Heating Demand: 31 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 14 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 54 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 38 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 20 kg/m2·a

Terrassa Haus: multi-family Passivhaus Classic

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Terrassa Haus is the first multi-residential building to receive Passivhaus certification in the city of Terrasa, Catalonia, Spain. The project was developed by Cambolico and designed by architects Antoni Espona & Xavier Torcal. Oliver Style and Bega Clavero from Praxis Resilient Buildings carried out the Passivhaus consultancy, HVAC design and Blower Door testing.

Terrassa Haus: multi-family Passivhaus Classic

Passivhaus Consultancy

Description

The ground floor offers 2 commercial spaces, with a further three floors with apartments ranging from 76 m2 to 154 m2. The building has a total floor area of 1142m2 and includes a communal co-working space, bike room, gym, and communal pool.

With an existing concrete structure that had been abandoned during the economic crisis of 2007, an external thermal insulation system with EPS insulation was applied over ceramic brick and rendered, with a further 5cm of Knauf Insulation mineral wool inside in the service void. The roof is insulated with XPS insulation. Rehau PVC windows frames with argon-filled low-e coated glazing make up the openings, with Swisspacer insulated glazing spacers. The window frames are installed with Iso-Top Winframer high density EPS pre-frames, to further reduce heat loss.

Heating, cooling and hot water is provided by individual Hitachi all-in-one heat pumps in each apartment. Similarly, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is provided by individual Soler & Palau Passivhaus certified ventilation units, with intake air drawn in from the façade walls and stale air extracted to the roof with shared extract ducts.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Terrassa Haus

Year: 2023

Location: Terrassa, Barcelona, España

Architecture: Antoni Espona & Xavier Torcal

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, building physics, heating-cooling-DHW-ventilation system design, Blower Door airtightness tests

Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Classic

Floor area: 1.142 m2

Thermal envelope area: 1.500 m2

Blower Door result: 0,6 n50

Heating Demand: 10 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 15 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 60 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 50 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 18 kg/m2·a

Casa Oeste, Rupia: Low energy home

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Single family home in Rupia, Girona, Catalonia, designed by the Nordest Arquitectura and built by Evowall. Oliver Style and Bega Clavero of Praxis Resilient Buildings were Passivhaus consultants for the project. The building has been certified as a PHI Low Energy Building.

Casa Oeste, Rupia: Low energy home

Passivhaus Consultancy

Description

The home is built with the Evowall steel-frame prefabricated construction system, consisting of a proprietary low-conductivity mortar, EPS and PIR insulation, with the outer walls either rendered or finished with rammed earth blocks.

Timber window frames and low-e argon filled solar control glazing make up the openings.

Ventilation is provided with a Zehnder balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

Heating and cooling are with an air-to-air mini VRF Panasonic heat pump with five ducted indoor split units. Domestic Hot Water is supplied by a Panasonic air-to-water heat pump. A roof-mounted 8,1 kWp solar PV generator generates a projected 124% of the home’s total energy consumption.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Evowall

Year: 2023

Location: Rupia, Girona, España

Architecture: Nordest Arquitectura SLP

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, building physics, heating-cooling-DHW-ventilation system design, Blower Door airtightness tests

Passivhaus Certification Class: PHI Low Energy Building

Floor area: 173 m2

Thermal envelope area: 778 m2

Blower Door result: 1 n50

Heating Demand: 30 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 10 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 41 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 45 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 48 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 18 kg/m2·a

LILU´s House: bio-based Passivhaus Plus

praxisadmin on 18 June 2022

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

LILU´s house: bio-based Passivhaus

Passivhaus, Blower Door

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

The home has 143 m2 distributed over 2 floors, it will be the headquarters of the company House Habitat and a research unit for companies and universities. It is in the process of Passivhaus Plus certification.

Praxis has delivered the PHPP modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, analysis and optimization of thermal bridges and construction details, and dynamic hygrothermal analysis of risk from moisture damage with the WUFI tool.

Praxis has also undertaken the Blower Door testing and on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ3Fx_TfkE0

https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php#d_7032

https://www.plataforma-pep.org/ejemplos-ph/lilus-house/

Year: 2022

Location: Abrera, Barcelona

Services:
Blower Door, Passivhaus

Mirador de Gràcia: Passivhaus Nursing home

ideadmin on 5 February 2021

Consultoría Passivhaus para una residencia geriátrica asistida ubicada en Barcelona capital, diseñada por el despacho de arquitectura Genars y promovido por FIATC Seguros a través de FIATC Residencias (Inverfiatc).

Mirador de Gràcia: Passivhaus Care home

Passivhaus

Description

Passivhaus consultancy for an elderly people residence located in Barcelona capital, designed by Genars architecture studio and developed by FIATC Seguros through FIATC Residencias (Inverfiatc). This 6575 m2 building is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification.

Praxis has delivered the PHPP modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, and analysis and optimisation of thermal bridges and construction details.

We’ve also undertaken a thermodynamic and daylighting study of the building, using DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus & Radiance), to assess natural light levels and analyse the risk of summer overheating.

Our work has also included an audit of the mechanical and electrical systems, with proposals for improvements and compliance with the Passivhaus standard, to ensure efficient operation and low maintenance costs. Praxis has also undertaken the Blower Door testing and on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

Photos: Salva Lopez y Miriam Castells

Links:

Passive House Database iPHa

Base de datos de proyectos Passivhaus PEP

Year: 2024

Location: Barcelona, España

Architecture: Joaquim Rigau – Genars

Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus design & consultancy, thermodynamic simulation, daylighting analysis, HVAC consultancy, Blower Door testing, site supervision

Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Classic

Climate zone: Warm

Floor area: 4595 m2

Thermal envelope area: 6880 m2

Blower Door Result: 0,64 n50

Heating Demand: 11 kWh/m2·a

Cooling Demand: 10 kWh/m2·a

Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 53 kWh/m2·a

Final Energy consumption: 60 kWh/m2·a

Renewable energy generation: 61 kWh/m2·a

CO2eq emissions: 32 kg/m2·a