Accreditations
Credentials, and what they mean.
Held by our team
Meet the teamCPHB
Certified Passive House Builder
Phius, Passive House Institute US
Held by Tim Hill and Daniel GlauserWhat it is
A professional certification from Phius, the North American passive house standard. Builders are trained and tested on the details that passive house demands: continuous air barriers, thermal bridge-free assemblies, high-performance windows and balanced ventilation.
Why it matters to you
Passive house is the most demanding building-performance standard in use. Even on homes that don't pursue certification, the same detailing makes the house quieter, more comfortable and more durable.
What it is
A senior professional designation from the National Association of Home Builders. It requires coursework in business management, construction, estimating, contracts and building science, plus documented industry experience and continuing education.
Why it matters to you
It means the people running your project have been trained in the business of building, not only the craft: scheduling, budgets, contracts and risk.
Awards & publications
- November 9, 2024A Dated Lake Austin Home Gets a Welcomed Touch of FlairMaile Pingel · Luxe Magazine
- 2018West 10th ResidenceHugh Jefferson Randolph Architects · AIA Austin Homes Tour
- September 12, 2017Metalwork for BuildersMatt Risinger · Fine Homebuilding
- April 4, 2017Best New Home 2017: For the Sake of SimplicityMatt Risinger & Eric Rauser · Fine Homebuilding
- 2016The Perfect Wall HouseRauser Design · AIA Homes Tour
- 2015Mount Bonnell Drive ResidenceWebber Studio · AIA Homes Tour
- September 8, 2015Four Tips to Building an Efficient House in a Hot ClimateMatt Risinger · Fine Homebuilding
- September 3, 2015Our Secret to Getting a Crisp FinishMatt Risinger · Fine Homebuilding
- August 27, 2015House Wrap for Modern ArchitectureMatt Risinger · Fine Homebuilding
- August 24, 2015The Best Roof for Hot Humid ClimatesMatt Risinger · Fine Homebuilding
- 2014Bright Leaf ResidenceDick Clark Architects · AIA Austin Homes Tour
- 2013Palma PlazaHugh Jefferson Randolph Architects · AIA Austin Homes Tour
- 2012Shoal Creek ResidenceWebber Studio · AIA Homes Tour
- 2012Modern VillaFAB Architecture · AIA Homes Tour
- 2012Purple Heron DriveHeimsath Architects · AIA Homes Tour
Certification programs, explained
Clients often ask about third-party certifications. Each is pursued project by project with the owner, architect and an independent rater. Here is what each one measures.
Phius Certified Project
What it is
Whole-building certification to the Phius passive house standard, with climate-specific limits on heating and cooling demand, peak loads and air leakage, verified by a third-party rater.
Why it matters
The highest level of verified performance available for a home in North America.
Austin Energy Green Building
What it is
The first green building rating program in the United States, run by Austin's city-owned utility. Homes earn one to five stars for energy, water, materials, indoor air quality and site.
Why it matters
It is written for Austin's climate specifically, so it rewards what matters here: shading, humidity control and water conservation.
HERS Index and Blower Door Testing
What it is
The industry-standard efficiency score for a home. A certified rater models the house and tests it, including a blower door test that measures air leakage. Lower is better; a typical new home scores about 100.
Why it matters
It turns performance into a measured number rather than a promise.
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes
What it is
A national certification for new homes that are at least 10% more efficient than code, with third-party inspections of insulation, air sealing, HVAC and water management.
Why it matters
Checklists and a third-party inspector catch the details that fail quietly.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
What it is
The Department of Energy's program for homes efficient enough that a modest solar array could offset most or all of their annual energy use.
Why it matters
The house is ready for solar and batteries, now or later, without reworking the envelope.
Indoor airPLUS
What it is
An EPA label for homes built for better indoor air: controlled fresh-air ventilation, better filtration, low-emission materials, moisture control and combustion safety.
Why it matters
A tight house must be ventilated on purpose. This verifies that it is.
LEED for Homes
What it is
A widely recognized green building certification covering energy, water, materials, location and indoor environmental quality, from Certified to Platinum.
Why it matters
For owners who want a recognized third-party green label alongside the architect's goals.
Tell us about your lot.
Whether you own land, are looking at a teardown, or already have drawings, the first conversation is the same: what you want to build, where, and when.
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