Envelope First: Passive Strategies for Smarter Building Retrofits

Existing buildings are the sleeping giants of our urban landscape—full of potential but often overlooked in the race toward sustainability.

This session will explore how passive design strategies can transform aging structures into high-performing, resilient assets. Join us to gain practical tools to shift from mechanical-first thinking to envelope-first solutions, improving comfort, reducing emissions, and extending service life. Using frameworks like PHIUS REVIVE and LEED v5 O+M, you'll also discover how to evaluate and implement passive upgrades.

Whether pursuing certification or planning a retrofit, you'll leave with a holistic approach to asset renewal that balances performance, aesthetics, and budget.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine the role of existing buildings in reducing carbon emissions and improving urban sustainability through envelope-first retrofit strategies.
2. Evaluate building envelope performance and its impact on energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and long-term durability using industry frameworks and analysis tools.
3. Learn how to apply envelope-first retrofit approaches that prioritize passive survivability and resilience during climate events and system failures.
4. Discover how to integrate passive strategies into renovation projects while balancing architectural integrity, budget constraints, and sustainability goals to support long-term performance.

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