About this Course:

This highly interactive virtual event showcases the retrofit of 63 N. Fraley, an 1897 commercial building in rural Pennsylvania, into its next chapter as a Passive House, high-performing building: “Six&Kane.” The building is named for nearby Highway 6, the first inter-continental roadway in the U.S. and the sparkling forest town where it is located: Kane, PA. The program features the entire project team, including the architects, engineers, contractor, funder and others, along with a virtual tour. The project emphasized using locally sourced materials and local labor, building capacity for the region, along with a showcase facility now serving as an economic development engine.

In 2019, West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund made a strategic decision to use energy to help revitalize rural communities. They chose Kane, Pennsylvania for the spark that they saw in its leadership and in its people. They purchased a 120+ year old building, committed to a Passive House energy efficient transformation, and assembled a team. After 3 years and a global pandemic, they are proud to present Six&Kane. A place to gather, to think, and to learn. As construction ends, programs have only just begun. Join us, as we celebrate ‘The Beginning’.

Prerequisite Knowledge:
No prerequisite requires, although some prior knowledge of Passive House concepts may be helpful

Learning Objective 1:
Demonstrate how to develop a comprehensive plan and approach to achieve Passive House certification on a 125+ year old brick structure in a cold climate, and to overcome the technical challenges presented by its adjacent city-block structures.

Learning Objective 2:
Illustrate how a Passive House retrofit project can deliver economic development/catalyst benefits to a rural town well beyond the high-performance for the tenants. Content will review locally-sources products and services, and capacity-raising training completed by participating contractors.

Learning Objective 3:
Instruct attendees in the fundamental principles of Passive House certification requirements in commercial retrofitting situations. Content will present unique strategies to overcome inherent challenges, from a shared elevator bay and “in envelope” stairwell access with one neighboring structure to thermal bridging solutions on the completely re-faced streetfront facade.

Click here to view the virtual tour agenda. Click here to learn about additional in-person components of the 10/7 Launch Party at Envinity’s Pittsburgh Offices.

 AIA CES Provider statement

The Energy Efficiency Alliance is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10009585. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.