passive house LA

We believe in a carbon neutral, all renewable energy future - The built environment is a critical component in achieving that future.

We design our projects to the International PASSIVE HOUSE standard which is the key strategy to minimize operational and embedded carbon creating resource-efficient buildings.

All electric PASSIVE HOUSE buildings paired with renewable energy sources (on-site & grid) will help us achieve truly Zero Carbon Buildings.

Passive House LA are buildings designed by PARAVANT Architects following the international PASSIVE HOUSE construction standard. It started when PARAVANT Architects built the first, new construction PASSIVE HOUSE called PHLA+ in Los Angeles. It serves as a showcase, case study & incubator for high-performance buildings in Southern California.

PHLA+ is located in Culver City, California a bustling independent city in West Los Angeles near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Marina Del Rey, the beach cities of Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and close to Beverly Hills. PHLA+ is the first newly built “Certified Plus Passive House” in Los Angeles and among the first Passive Houses built in Southern California.

PHLA+ is a project designed by PARAVANT Architects strategically planned to showcase the international PASSIVE HOUSE construction standard. This includes demonstrating the back-end technologies, comfort, indoor air quality, high energy efficiency, and sustainable building practices.

PHLA+ is a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) home. It turns out after the first year of operation, it is an all-electric Energy Plus Home. This home clearly shows that passive house buildings make a lot of sense in the Los Angeles / Southern California market.

PHLA+ is located on a duplex lot, infill site, and is comprised of 1,750 sq.ft. of living area with an additional large deck area over the carport. Large windows provide sufficient natural light and a connection between indoor and outdoor living even with this home’s limited footprint. Exterior fully automated Venetian blinds reduce UV, heat, and glare, effectively keeping the house cooler and comfortable. The entire building envelope including airtightness, windows, exterior wall systems and insulation are combined to produce significant energy cost savings not possible with conventional building practices.

Superior indoor air quality is provided around the clock with a MERV13 filter and heat-recovery ventilation (HRV). A 5.4kW photovoltaic system combined with a storage battery keeps the house electrically self-performing even during a black-out.



Achieving “more comfort with less” is possible while protecting the environment. Are you making plans for a new building? Make a contribution to protecting the environment. Contact us ! - We look forward to hearing from you.

PROFILE | PARAVANT Architects

PARAVANT Architects is an innovative international architecture and planning firm.  We bring design expertise from around the world to our office in Los Angeles, California.  While client satisfaction is forefront in our practice, we strive to approach each project in a thoughtful way, offering a unique solution that fits the client needs while maintaining the fiscal parameters of the project.  With a combined experience in the profession, PARAVANT draws from experience in the U.S., Central America, Asia, the Middle East and throughout Europe to offer our clients an international, multifaceted approach to design.

Based on the founding partners’ work experiences and education in Germany, one of the leading nations in sustainable architecture and Passive House construction, PARAVANT is keenly aware of the need for an environmentally conscious approach. We design our buildings to the international Passive House construction standard and encourage our clients to commission low operational and embedded carbon buildings to make responsible decisions for future generations.