German Passive House Tours North America

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Open for tours in the first stop of Atlanta.

Cross-section view of the Das Haus pavilion courtesy HHS Planer … Read More Cross-section view of the Das Haus pavilion courtesy HHS Planer + Architekten AG

Floor plan of the Das Haus pavilion courtesy HHS Planer + Archit… Read More Floor plan of the Das Haus pavilion courtesy HHS Planer + Architekten AG

Public gathering area between the living space and technology co… Read More Public gathering area between the living space and technology component courtesy Hochtief ViCon GmbH

Living space component: interior view courtesy Hochtief ViCon Gm… Read More Living space component: interior view courtesy Hochtief ViCon GmbH

External view: PV wall module courtesy Hochtief ViCon GmbH

Completed Das House model

The German creation Das Haus is nearing the halfway point of its North American tour. The open-air pavilion, which is making 10-day stops in 12 U.S. and Canadian cities under the theme of international collaboration on North American energy challenges, touts an integrated, functioning system that uses market-ready renewable energy and efficiency technology.

The integrated structure features a thin film photovoltaic roof, façade and louvered panel system, heat-recovery climate control and ventilation systems, plus Passive-House-standard triple-pane windows. Solar-powered LED lighting systems and vacuum insulated panel systems also are signature to the pavilion.

Since launching in October 2011, the tour has stopped in Atlanta, Houston, Tempe, Ariz., San Francisco, and Vancouver, British Columbia. After finishing up in Toronto this week, it will head to Montreal. The passive model’s next U.S. visit will be the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., June 18-27. Das Haus will then continue to White Plains, N.Y., Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Denver, wrapping up in November 2012.

Guided tours of the pavilion will be available, along with related seminars, exhibitions, and discussions. The tour is sponsored by the German American Chambers of Commerce and the Canadian German Chamber, and is funded by the German government.