In the World, Up for Awards

In 2007, Concordia Language Villages was proud and honored to be able to announce the Waldsee BioHaus, the first certified Passive House in North America, was nominated for two prestigious awards – in May the Transatlantic21 Association selected it in the category of Construction for the World Clean Energy Award and the BioHaus was named a finalist of the 2007 Minnesota Environmental Initiative Awards in the category of Air Quality and Cilmate Protection.

Completed in 2006 with sponsorship from the Deutsche Bundesstifung Umwelt, Concordia Language Villages built the Waldsee BioHaus with a dual purpose - to reflect present-day architecture trends in Germany and to demonstrate the ability to build an energy-efficient structure using materials available today.

The BioHaus was built in accordance with the world’s most stringent energy consumption standard for buildings, Germany’s Passivhaus Standard, and uses no more than 15KWH/m2/a for all its heating needs and less than 120KWH/m2/a for all its primary energy requirements. In plain language this means the Waldsee BioHaus uses 85 percent less energy than houses built by Minnesota code in cold climate zone 7. It is the most air tight building in the United States, and functions as both a residence and an environmental living center for language and cultural immersion programs for young people from all 50 states.

The World Clean Energy Awards recognize the best projects worldwide that implement and encourage the broad-based use of renewable energies and energy efficiency concepts. Transatlantic21, the Swiss association and award sponsor, developed and financed a solar boat “sun21.” The boat’s arrival in New York City on May 8th marked the voyage of the first motorized vehicle to cross the Atlantic without using a drop of fuel and has served as the kick off event for the esteemed international jury for the World Clean Energy Awards. The Waldsee BioHaus is one of 70 candidates from 20 countries nominated for the inaugural year of the “World Clean Energy Awards.”

The Minnesota Environmental Initiative nomination recognizes the BioHaus' impressive 24 hour air/heat exchange system featuring an 85 percent efficient heat recovery unit. The system provides the interior with superior air quality - 100% fresh air at all times. The building's unheard of air tight construction and super insulation envelope reduces Waldsee BioHaus’ total energy consumption resulting in a dramatic reduction of carbon dioxides emissions.

The Language Villages are particularly proud of this nomination because the MN-EI Awards are the premiere environmental award within Minnesota. In considering applications they evaluate candidates' ability to involve both environmental group priorities as well as business considerations. As a finalist, we have received confirmation that the BioHaus is a recognized example of excellence and a demonstration of what can be done to address global issues through global partnerships.   

You may have heard about Minnesota’s Waldsee BioHaus - the structure has been featured on public TV and radio, and has appeared in Minnesota Builder, Energy Design Update, and Concrete Homes. We are honored to provide a home for an American structure committed to green/global priorities and cross-cultural understanding.

More about the Waldsee BioHaus. Find out how you can visit.