Chicago Tribune (Nov. 25) – “Passive house” is based on a set of design principles used to create buildings that use minimal heating and cooling, employing elements such as thick insulation, energy-recovery ventilation, high-performance windows and a steady supply of fresh air. A group of engineers and architects at the University of Illinois in the 1970s used the term “superinsulation” and developed the idea of the “Lo-Cal” (low-calorie) house. The term evolved to passive house.