Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join us as we talk with the owner, builder, and rater of Michigan's first certified Passive House (PHIUS) multifamily project located in West Michigan. What were the challenges and opportunities to build affordable housing for income-qualified residents to the standards of PHIUS?
Review the project ahead of the webinar phius.org/certified-project-database/landings-spring-lake and come with your questions!
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier,
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC),
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Lessons Learned
1. **Understand** that designing a certified Passive House significantly improves indoor air quality and promotes better health for residents through advanced ventilation systems.
2. **Analyze** the safety measures implemented during the construction process to ensure that the building meets stringent passive house standards, reducing risks associated with poor building performance.
3. **Introduce** sustainable building practices that not only enhance the welfare of the community by providing affordable housing but also support long-term environmental goals.
4. **Articulate** the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to successfully navigate challenges and create a living environment that prioritizes health, safety, and community welfare.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/lessons-learned-mis-first-multifamily-certified-passive-house
Speakers
James Lewis is an experienced developer and the Director of Real Estate Development at Pinnacle Construction Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pinnacle is a fully integrated real estate development firm offering architectural, construction, and property management services.
With a career spanning more than $500 million in multifamily development, James has extensive expertise in assembling and executing complex financing structures, including low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, federal and state grants, a wide range of tax abatements, and utility rebate programs.
A recognized industry leader in sustainable and healthy building practices, James has consistently advanced high-performance design within the multifamily sector. In 2016, he delivered the first Passive House–certified multifamily project in the Midwest. Most recently, he completed the first PHIUS+ certified multifamily project in Michigan, further demonstrating his commitment to innovation in energy-efficient housing.
Lindsey Elton is certified in advanced building science and building diagnostic testing. Her company, Eco Achievers, helps teams throughout the country to construct high-performance multi-family and mixed-use buildings that meet everything from NGBS to LEED, ENERGY STAR, and Passive House (Phius) standards.
Lindsey started her career in Chicago, participating in City-based green building and weatherization programs. In current times, she runs Eco Achievers’ Detroit office and works to support the advancement of high-performance market rate and affordable housing projects throughout the state.
Lindsey volunteers on the national Board of Directors for RESNET and has been serving as Vice President on the Passive House Alliance - Chicago Board for many years. She frequently speaks on topics related to building science and green building certification. Lindsey is a credentialed RESNET, NGBS, and ENERGY STAR Rater; LEED for Homes Green Rater; Phius Rater/Verifier, and Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC).
Joel Lautenbach is the Executive Director of Affordable Living Development for Samaritas. With over 13 years with Samaritas, he leads the development of new affordable multifamily projects from concept to stabilized operations. He is also responsible for the redevelopment of Samaritas’ existing portfolio of 850 units of affordable housing serving low-income seniors, families, and people with disabilities. He leads development teams of consultants, lawyers, contractors, and project managers. He is responsible for 16M+ multifamily projects occurring at budget and on schedule. He is experienced in securing Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historical Tax Credits, Affordable Housing Program grants, ARPA Funds, and other soft sources for multi-family projects. He routinely addresses county, city, and other elected officials on topics related to affordable housing and Samaritas. He serves as a spokesperson for Samaritas on housing and their mission of service to the community.
Join us as we talk with the owner, builder, and rater of Michigan's first certified Passive House (PHIUS) multifamily project located in West Michigan. What were the challenges and opportunities to build affordable housing for income-qualified residents to the standards of PHIUS?
Review the project ahead of the webinar phius.org/certified-project-database/landings-spring-lake and come with your questions!
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)**
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• GHI Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier,
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC),
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
**State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Lessons Learned
1. **Understand** that designing a certified Passive House significantly improves indoor air quality and promotes better health for residents through advanced ventilation systems.
2. **Analyze** the safety measures implemented during the construction process to ensure that the building meets stringent passive house standards, reducing risks associated with poor building performance.
3. **Introduce** sustainable building practices that not only enhance the welfare of the community by providing affordable housing but also support long-term environmental goals.
4. **Articulate** the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to successfully navigate challenges and create a living environment that prioritizes health, safety, and community welfare.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/lessons-learned-mis-first-multifamily-certified-passive-house
Speakers
James Lewis is an experienced developer and the Director of Real Estate Development at Pinnacle Construction Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pinnacle is a fully integrated real estate development firm offering architectural, construction, and property management services.
With a career spanning more than $500 million in multifamily development, James has extensive expertise in assembling and executing complex financing structures, including low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, federal and state grants, a wide range of tax abatements, and utility rebate programs.
A recognized industry leader in sustainable and healthy building practices, James has consistently advanced high-performance design within the multifamily sector. In 2016, he delivered the first Passive House–certified multifamily project in the Midwest. Most recently, he completed the first PHIUS+ certified multifamily project in Michigan, further demonstrating his commitment to innovation in energy-efficient housing.
Lindsey Elton is certified in advanced building science and building diagnostic testing. Her company, Eco Achievers, helps teams throughout the country to construct high-performance multi-family and mixed-use buildings that meet everything from NGBS to LEED, ENERGY STAR, and Passive House (Phius) standards.
Lindsey started her career in Chicago, participating in City-based green building and weatherization programs. In current times, she runs Eco Achievers’ Detroit office and works to support the advancement of high-performance market rate and affordable housing projects throughout the state.
Lindsey volunteers on the national Board of Directors for RESNET and has been serving as Vice President on the Passive House Alliance - Chicago Board for many years. She frequently speaks on topics related to building science and green building certification. Lindsey is a credentialed RESNET, NGBS, and ENERGY STAR Rater; LEED for Homes Green Rater; Phius Rater/Verifier, and Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC).
Joel Lautenbach is the Executive Director of Affordable Living Development for Samaritas. With over 13 years with Samaritas, he leads the development of new affordable multifamily projects from concept to stabilized operations. He is also responsible for the redevelopment of Samaritas’ existing portfolio of 850 units of affordable housing serving low-income seniors, families, and people with disabilities. He leads development teams of consultants, lawyers, contractors, and project managers. He is responsible for 16M+ multifamily projects occurring at budget and on schedule. He is experienced in securing Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historical Tax Credits, Affordable Housing Program grants, ARPA Funds, and other soft sources for multi-family projects. He routinely addresses county, city, and other elected officials on topics related to affordable housing and Samaritas. He serves as a spokesperson for Samaritas on housing and their mission of service to the community.
