AECB members praise Passive House + for content & advertising

The survey was of individual supporters and student members of the AECB (Association of Environment Conscious Building), rather than businesses and organisations, which are due to be covered by a separate survey later this year.

Respondents praised the magazine for its writing, information on new products and its technical details and photography.

“Provides a good overview of the products on the market - some of which I might be looking to incorporate in my future building project,” one respondent said.

“This magazine gets more interesting with every issue. It is superbly illustrated and the editorial is excellent. It keeps me up to date with developments and products,” said another. Another added: “Excellent articles. Interesting to see international projects. Advertising relevant. Would like to see more good quality construction details."

A full list of the responses from members, published anonymously, can be found at the bottom of this article. Some AECB members, however, did offer criticism and suggestions for how the magazine could be improved.

Some called for more technical content in the mag, while others were either not aware that technical drawings for projects featured in Passive House + are available online for subscribers, or suggested that this feature could be improved.

Passive House Plus is now the official and only magazine for the AECB, after the long-running publication Green Building ceased publication last year.

Feedback on PH+ Magazine from survey to AECB students/supporters

"Impression on the first issue I received was good. Provides a good overview of the products on the market - some of which I might be looking to incorporate in my future building project."

"Great, much better than Green Futures"

"Good for new product info"

"It is ok, needs more AECB content"

"I loved every bit of it. I love that one of the issues (15) had in it a sample of the self adhering airtight and vapour permeable membrane."

"Very helpful: useful detail and photos, especially when augmented by visiting the website."

"I received my first issue today - it looks slick, professional and interesting so far!"

"Very useful, but I do miss Green Building. That was the only authoritative guide to new technology."

"Excellent publication, would love to get hold of hard copies of previous publications."

"It's fantastic, though I receive two copies (the other is via the Green Register) which always makes me feel guilty - I'd like to remedy that."

"I don't rush to read it - in fact it's still in my letter box - all weekend. It's only for general interest now I have virtually finished my project."

"I enjoy the magazine very much, generally read it cover-to-cover and save copies for future reference. I particularly like the more technical articles."

"Excellent. More editions, please, perhaps when there are more schemes to review."

"great magazine, however can never access digital content which is the biggest bonus of being a subscriber"

"Skip the case studies that don't seem to be saying anything new"

"This magazine gets more interesting with every issue. It is superbly illustrated and the editorial is excellent. It keeps me up to date with developments and product."

"Have to be honest - haven't had time to look at it yet, but answering no would suggest I don't intend to."

"Excellent mag - good industry updates, inspiring stories, lots of practical tips and advice, and I like the performance stats that accompany the main stories."

"Excellent magazine. We subscribed to it before it became a membership benefit."

"It's good, but the late lamented AECB magazine was better. I enjoyed the wide variety of articles from professionals and lay people."

"Excellent articles. Interesting to see international projects. Advertising relevant. Would like to see more good quality construction details."

"V interesting and informative."

"I enjoy the practical nature and knowledge sharing of Passive House + magazine. Well worth the subscription fees!"

"Informative and interesting"

"It's ok. Its a bit too full of glossy new houses. Some good articles on refurb. But the content is far lighter and far less useful than GB magazine was."

"Excellent. Particularly valuable for the passivhaus-specific ads."

"Only read sometimes sorry"

"Good quality publication and nice the mix of technical and inspirational coverage."

"Always interesting"

"Its coverage is excellent. Sometimes the journalism could be better. Very important to cover case studies in depth and to show what individual materials and specifications achieve."

"It's good. A little less broad than green building magazine, and it would be nice if they put technical drawings in sometimes, rather than having them exclusively online."

"Lots of interesting information and pictures. I haven't used the digital content yet, but am hoping to find time to dig deeper soon."

"Enjoy the variety of information and especially interested in the specs, details etc for buildings."

"Magazine is great, like the layout and articles and is a great way to keep up to date with passivhaus / low carbon design."

"It's a good read"

"Enjoy looking at the case study information"

"Maybe it needs more non-domestic projects and not only houses/dwellings."

"The magazine is excellent, although is much more focused on Passive House than Green Building Magazine. GB magazine covered more aspects of sustainable building, such as low impact materials such as cob, lime, timber and straw, and included more articles on retrofit that PH+."

Responses for what AECB members who logged into the Passive House+ website used it for

"The chance to view technical drawings and more photos"

"I don't understand why certain editions cannot be downloaded to read locally but others can, would you advise please?"

"Project drawings"

"Has never worked"

"I intend to look into this when I have a chance - really busy at home and at work at the moment

"I would definitely use it if I had the time."

"I have tried to find plans etc, but not managed and gave up."

"Didn't realise"

"I didn't know I could!"

"I've not really used this service"

"Well, I did it once looking for drawings, but I've barely used it so far."

"Building details and drawings"

"case studies"