Phius unveils 2026 Passive Projects Design Winners
At PhiusCon 2026 in Phoenix, Ariz., Phius, the passive building organization, announced the winners of its 2026 Passive Projects Design Competition.
These winners represent the leading examples of the future of climate-specific, net-zero design as judged by Phius and the Phius Alliance jurors.
All the entries met a Phius Certified standard and were assessed based on design, craftsmanship, complexity, climate or site challenges, cost and the use of non-toxic materials.
The New Hope Passive House by Studio Modh Architecture won in the Single-Family category. The project is an elegantly designed modern home, angled around an asymmetrical courtyard with sweeping views of the landscape. Warm, natural materials are used throughout and energy consumption is mitigated with high-performance practices.
The Faircliff in Washington, D.C. won Best Overall Project and in the Affordable Housing category, exemplifying the importance of building science in these developments.
The full list of winners includes:
- Regional Recognition: Fountaingrove Residence | Santa Rosa, California
- Industrial Recognition: GO Logic Shop and Office | Belfast, Maine
- International Recognition: Habitation Léon-Deschamps | Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Single-Family Winner: New Hope Passive House | New Hope, Pennsylvania
- High-Rise Multifamily Winner: 2147 Washington Street | Roxbury, Massachusetts
- Low-Rise Multifamily Winner: Leland House | Waltham, Massachusetts
- Affordable Housing Winner: The Faircliff | Washington, D.C.
- Commercial/Institutional Winner: Ryerson Woods Education Center | Deerfield, Illinois
- Source Zero Winner: MiNet0-1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Retrofit Winner: 369 Warren St | Brooklyn, New York
- Best Project by a Young Professional: Beach Green Dunes III | Far Rockaway, New York
- Best Overall Project: The Faircliff | Washington, D.C.
“This year’s projects show how far passive building has come,” said Katrin Klingenberg, Founder and Co-Executive Director of Phius. “We’re seeing teams apply Phius principles to larger buildings, affordable housing, multifamily communities, industrial spaces and other projects where energy performance, resilience, occupant health and long-term operating costs have an enormous impact. These projects demonstrate that high-performance buildings can be both ambitious in their design and responsive to the needs of the people and communities they serve.”
