About Passivhaus Hub

Leaders in Sustainable Building Education & Community

Empowering Professionals to Build a Healthier, Sustainable Future.

Passivhaus Hub combines expert-led education, professional networking, and growth tools to help you lead the green construction and high-performance building revolution—starting today

Our Story

Childhood Passion

Passivhaus Hub began with our founder Daniel Kress’s lifelong passion for better building. At six years old, he was already building shelters—once nearly setting one on fire experimenting with electrical lighting. By ten, he helped renovate an old farmhouse into his family's home, gaining hands-on experience in demolition, concrete mixing, and plasterboard installation.

Academic Excellence

Daniel’s passion led him to advanced engineering studies. In 2015, he completed his second Master's degree, presenting his influential thesis: "Passivhaus Design for Perth, Western Australia." He modelled the SPA Home over 600 times using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), proving conclusively that Passivhaus standards are achievable, even in challenging climates like Perth.

Global Impact

Today, Daniel's belief—"We can always do better"—is the heartbeat of Passivhaus Hub. His diverse expertise in carpentry, prefabrication, engineering, building physics, and sustainable construction shapes our practical, straightforward training approach. Passivhaus Hub makes advanced concepts accessible, empowering professionals globally to confidently design and build sustainable, high-performance buildings.

Balanced Expertise

Daniel’s visionary approach and entrepreneurial spirit are balanced by Senior Trainer Julia Kiefer’s structured, organized expertise. Julia, an experienced architect and educator, ensures clarity and practicality in our courses. Together, they create a uniquely balanced learning environment: Daniel pushing innovation forward, Julia ensuring everything stays clear, focused, and achievable.

Supported by a passionate, dedicated team, Daniel and Julia are united by a shared vision—to help professionals worldwide build a healthier, sustainable future.

Making Passivhaus education accessible for everyone -
creating a healthier, sustainable world.

What We Offer

More than Passivhaus training!

An innovation hub shaping the future of sustainable construction.

Passivhaus Hub doesn't just help you become certified. We support you in applying and marketing your expertise. Our practical training, community support, and proven marketing solutions empower you to build healthier, energy-efficient, and more profitable projects.

Passivhaus Hub

Passivhaus Hub is your gateway to earning Passivhaus certification and mastering high-performance, sustainable construction. Take your first step toward Smart Plus Buildings, the future of the building industry.

Smart Plus Network

A professional directory, vibrant community, and industry think tank. Connect with experts, gain exclusive insights, and accelerate Smart Plus Buildings—our mission is to surpass Passivhaus standards and cut construction costs by 75% in 25 years.

Smart Plus Marketing

We know our students are building experts—not marketers. That’s why change in the industry has been slow. To solve this, we offer our alumni a complete marketing system specifically designed to attract quality leads, effortlessly convert them into satisfied clients, and free building professionals to focus on their true expertise.

Our Team

Meet the Experts Supporting You Throughout

Your Passivhaus Journey

Daniel Kress

Founder & Head Trainer, Passivhaus Hub

Daniel is known for his engaging and practical teaching style. A visionary engineer, entrepreneur, and educator, he excels in simplifying complex concepts and bridging industry knowledge.

With extensive experience in construction and sustainable design, Daniel holds dual Master’s degrees in Civil and Structural Engineering, specializing in building physics and science. He contributed to an influential European Union research project focused on sustainable construction practices.

At age 37, Daniel founded Passivhaus Hub (formerly Smart Plus Academy), now responsible for training most of Australia's certified Passivhaus professionals. His mission is clear: make Passivhaus accessible worldwide—creating healthier, energy-efficient buildings and driving positive, lasting change in the global construction industry.

Julia Kiefer

Senior Trainer & Certified Passivhaus Designer

Julia is a passionate architect and senior Passivhaus trainer with extensive experience across Australia since 2006. Working for leading architectural firms in Melbourne, Perth, and Darwin, she gained unique insights into diverse regional climates and design challenges.

Committed deeply to sustainability, Julia became a Certified Passivhaus Designer in 2018, driving energy-efficient and eco-friendly design forward in Australia. In 2020, she joined Passivhaus Hub (formerly Smart Plus Academy), where she empowers building professionals nationwide to create healthy, sustainable, and comfortable living spaces.

Julia continues to inspire positive change, dedicated to educating and equipping a new generation of sustainable building practitioners worldwide.

Nalla Yuson

Senior Admin & The Good Soul Behind the Scenes

With over a decade of experience as an Electronics Engineer in manufacturing, Nalla combines her technical background with a heartfelt commitment to sustainability. As Passivhaus Hub’s senior admin—the good soul behind the scenes—she ensures our operations run smoothly, championing climate-conscious initiatives, educational excellence, and supporting our community with genuine warmth and care.

Aime AI

The Tutor That Never Sleeps

Meet Aime AI, your tireless Passivhaus tutor—available anytime, day or night. Powered by advanced artificial intelligence, Aime guides you through your learning journey with immediate answers, detailed explanations, and personalized support. Always patient, always ready, Aime ensures you're never alone in mastering sustainable building design.