Third PEB HUB Webinar: Breaking Barriers in Plus Energy Building Design: Insights from Frontrunner Projects
The third PEB HUB webinar brought together architects, researchers and building professionals to discuss what it really takes to design a Plus Energy Building. Through two residential case studies from the Netherlands and Spain, participants explored how different climatic, cultural and regulatory contexts influence design decisions, while discovering that many of the challenges faced by designers are remarkably similar.
The session also introduced the latest updates to the PEB HUB, including new technical resources, designers’ guidelines and the continuously expanding repository of Plus Energy Building projects. Participants were also invited to join the PEB Interest Group on the ACE HUB, an online community where professionals can exchange experiences, discuss challenges and connect with peers working on Plus Energy Buildings across Europe.
The first case study was presented by Hugo de Vries (Zenzo MV), who shared the story behind Woonhuis Hertoglaan in the Netherlands. Rather than focusing only on technologies, Hugo explained the design journey of creating his own home, where thermal comfort, affordability, automation and architectural quality had to work together. His presentation highlighted the importance of integrating multiple energy systems, making smart use of nature-based solutions such as vegetation, natural shading and a swimming pond for cooling, while ensuring the house remains easy to operate for its occupants.
The second presentation, by David Masip Vila (Batlleiroig), showcased the TR80 Single Family House in Barcelona. The project demonstrated how a heritage residential building can be transformed into a certified Plus Energy Building while preserving its architectural identity. David explained how prioritising passive design strategies—including a high-performance building envelope, airtightness and careful material selection—allowed the project to minimise energy demand before introducing active energy systems.
Although developed in very different contexts, both projects highlighted a common lesson: achieving Plus Energy performance is not only about integrating renewable technologies, but about making informed design decisions from the earliest stages of the project. The speakers also reflected on the importance of considering user behaviour, system integration and long-term durability, sharing valuable lessons learned from both the design and operational phases.
The webinar concluded with an engaging discussion between the speakers and participants, exploring topics such as the role of nature-based solutions, balancing energy performance with architectural quality, and the practical challenges of delivering buildings that are both highly efficient and comfortable to live in.
You can find and download all the webinar presentations here.
If you missed this webinar or any of the previous sessions, you can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel.
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