Todd Talbot Builds: The Passive House Project

The challenges begin when a windstorm fells trees on their property, blocking the road and access to the disposal bin being used for clean up. Todd renovates an old shed as temporary accommodation.

Todd and his team are re-routing the road into the property to conform to environmental code. With the help of structural engineer Jim Mandelli, Todd starts calculating where the foundation will be.

Todd and his team just finished the cement pour for the foundation when they learn that head carpenter Patrick Conolly has lost his house in a nearby wildfire. That winter an atmospheric river threatens the site.

Todd and Peter begin building the roof and must find a solution to work safely. Peter utilizes his rock-climbing experience and trains Todd to work using a harness to climb and rappel.

Witness a miracle as a social media callout nets a roofer who can handle the steep angle. Get a shock when the special, made-in-Poland windows won't fit down the drive, then feel the satisfaction when everything comes together before winter arrives.

Diving into the future of home construction and why the time to focus on this is now; the discussion centers around the need for passive house construction to help offset the devastating effects of climate change.