USBG-CA | California Green Building Conference 2025, San Francisco
This year’s California Green Building Conference 2025, hosted by USGBC-California, was held on May 22 at the iconic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Among the featured speakers was Christian Kienapfel, Architect and Certified Passive House Designer & Consultant, who presented an insightful session titled:
“Innovative SB9 & ADU Infill Housing: Leveraging International Passive House Standards for Sustainable and Resilient Solutions in Los Angeles, California.”
Kienapfel’s presentation explored how forward-thinking design and international building standards can address California’s housing and climate challenges through small-scale, high-performance development. Key topics included:
A foundational overview of SB9, California’s landmark legislation that supports urban infill and increases housing density in existing neighborhoods.
How the International Passive House Standard can be successfully applied to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and small-scale residential projects, ensuring high energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and climate resilience.
An introduction to the five core principles of Passive House design, providing a conceptual framework for attendees new to the standard.
A breakdown of the design process required to achieve Passive House certification, including strategies for implementation and project team coordination.
