Are You Being Foolish with Your Builds? High-Performance Principles for 2025

As we step into a new year, Offsite Dirt Network is here to ensure you're not making foolish mistakes in your construction projects. April Fool’s Day might be about pranks, but when it comes to high-performance building and retrofits, there’s no room for foolishness. Today, we’re diving into expert insights from Aaron Jones, Mark Wille, Joe Konopacki and Shawn St Amour, who are sharing essential principles for building better, smarter, and more efficiently.

The PH in Foolish: Why Passive House Matters

According to Shaun St Amour, when we spell "fools," we do it with "PH"—because the "PH" stands for Passive House. Passive House principles set the foundation for high-performance buildings that prioritize comfort, health, and resilience. The key takeaway? Thoughtful planning is non-negotiable.

The Power of Proper Planning

One of the biggest mistakes builders make is failing to plan ahead. Shaun emphasizes the five P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

An integrated design approach ensures that before the first shovel hits the ground, all consultants, specialists, and teams are aligned. This includes:

• Pre-construction meetings with general contractor, engineers, architects, and trades

• Coordinating offsite manufacturing and supply chains

• Securing materials in advance to prevent costly delays

When these elements are in place, projects run smoothly, with trades showing up on-site daily and work progressing efficiently. Clients appreciate seeing steady progress, and builders benefit from an optimized workflow.

Air Tightness: The Key to High Performance

Aron introduces another crucial factor: air sealing. He jokes that every team needs an "A.S.S."—an Air Sealing Specialist—to prevent costly leaks and inefficiencies.

Why Air Sealing Matters

• Reduces energy loss

• Improves indoor air quality

• Enhances overall building durability

  
  

Before construction begins, teams should determine whether the air control layer will be placed inboard or outboard, ensuring the chosen approach aligns with project goals.

Aron also highlights a simple yet effective practice: strapping ceilings with 2”x4”’s. This strategy allows electrical wiring to remain inside the air barrier, reducing unnecessary penetrations and strengthening the structure’s energy efficiency.

Optimizing Construction Sequences

High-performance construction isn’t just about using the right materials—it’s about using them in the right order. Proper sequencing eliminates errors, improves efficiency, and prevents rework. Key considerations include:

• Planning mechanical and electrical layouts early

• Minimizing penetrations in air barriers

• Sequencing materials and installation to avoid delays

Aron shares an example from his recent project, where careful planning reduced penetrations to just two: a radon vent and a plumbing stack. The rest of the mechanical systems were strategically routed to preserve air tightness.

Passive House Principles for Every Project

Even if a full Passive House build isn’t feasible in your market, the core principles still apply. By focusing on:

• Air tightness

• High-performance glazing

• Ventilation with heat recovery (HRV or ERV)

• Continuous insulation

• Thermal bridge-free construction

  
  

Builders can significantly enhance efficiency, durability, and occupant comfort—without breaking the bank.

The Role of Prefabrication in High-Performance Builds

Prefab construction plays a crucial role in ensuring precision, efficiency, and consistency. With Offsite Dirt Network advocating for more offsite solutions, integrating factory-built components ensures seamless collaboration between:

• Architects

• Engineers

• Contractors

• Manufacturing teams

  
  

Scopes of work need to be clearly defined, and communication is the glue that holds it all together.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Foolish—Plan Smart!

As we reflect on these insights, one thing is clear: the key to high-performance building is proactive planning and coordination. The industry is evolving, and by applying Passive House principles, air sealing strategies, and proper sequencing, builders can avoid costly mistakes and future-proof their projects.

At Offsite Dirt Network, we’re committed to sharing innovative strategies for building better. So, this April Fool’s Day, let’s leave the foolishness behind and focus on smart, sustainable, and high-performance construction.