European passive house village

Our origins

In 2007, a vision became reality with the first European Passive House Village at Sonnenplatz Großschönau: People could not only tour a Passive House—but also experience it firsthand as part of the unique Probewohnen® concept. By 2017, more than 4,800 guests from all over Europe had taken advantage of the opportunity to live for a few days in one of five innovative passive houses and experience the benefits of energy-efficient architecture firsthand.

Whether built of wood, solid construction, or a combination of materials, featuring modern architecture or classic forms—each house offered a unique sense of space and demonstrated how pleasant constant temperatures, fresh air, and modern ventilation technology transform living. On-site expert advice helped clarify open questions and dispel misconceptions.

The Passive House Village was created in collaboration with over 100 companies and was funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation, and Technology as part of the “House of the Future” initiative. It garnered attention across Europe as a flagship project for sustainable construction.

Gelbes, achteckiges Haus mit zwei Etagen und umlaufenden Balkonen.

The company MB-Haus® built a forward-thinking O[p]taeders concept, utilizing Feng Shui principles and solid construction methods

Modernes Holzhaus mit Glasfronten, dunkler Fassade und Walmdach.

The Buchner House, a fully timber-framed structure, reflects Holzbau-Buchner’s commitment to environmentally responsible and economically sound home construction

Gelbes Einfamilienhaus mit Satteldach und Balkon in Passivhaus-Bauweise.

Passive House standard despite a bay window, overhanging balcony, and gable roof in a design by the company Activ Haus

Modernes, gelbes Gebäude mit Pultdach und markanten Stützen vor der Fassade.

Enormous thermal storage capacity thanks to the solid construction using Wienerberger flat bricks, built by Schiller GmbH in accordance with the strictest klima:aktiv standards

Dunkles Haus mit weißem Erdgeschoss und großen Photovoltaik-Modulen auf dem Satteldach.

The “EHLIA” passive house—short for Enter Heat Light Intelligence Air—by Johann Winkler GmbH stands out from conventional single-family homes thanks to its modern and clean architecture

Zukunftsorienteres Konzept O[p]taeders der Firma MB-Haus® mithilfe von Feng-Shui Planung und massiver Bauweise

Das Haus Buchner aus einer kompletten Holzkonstruktion mit der Bestrebung der Firma Holzbau-Buchner nach ökologisch sinnvollem und ökonomisch durchdachtem Hausbau

Passivhausqualität trotz Erker, überstehendem Balkon und Satteldach im Jungbrunnen der Firma Activ Haus

Enormes Speicherpotential dank Massivbauweise aus Wienerberger Planziegel, errichtet nach strengsten klima:aktiv Kriterien durch die Firma Schiller GmbH

Das Passivhaus "EHLIA" – Enter Heat Light Intelligence Air – der Firma Johann Winkler GmbH hebt sich besonders durch seine moderne und klare Architektur von konventionellen Einfamilienhäusern ab

Today

After ten successful years, the Probewohnen® project was discontinued in 2017. The buildings are now in private use—and the passive house has long since established itself as a modern building standard. Even though the passive house village is no longer at the center of our work, it remains an important part of our history and a symbol of the start of our journey as a research and competence center.

Tipp

Visit the SONNENWELT Erlebniswelt in Großschönau and discover the “10 Golden Rules of the Passive House”—informative, interactive, and inspiring!

SONNENPLATZ GROSSSCHÖNAU

A-3922 Großschönau, Sonnenplatz 1
T: +43 (0) 2815/77270
E: office[at]sonnenplatz.at