Nonprofit brings energy-efficiency demo to HOMEARAMA

A national nonprofit effort to fight climate change and advance social equity through better building standards is coming to Cincinnati this fall. 

The Ice Box Challenge, created by the Passive House Network and organized locally by AIA Cincinnati, will run Sept. 27-Oct. 12 at HOMEARAMA 2025 in Foundry Park at Three Oaks in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood.

Passive House Network, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2011, focuses on helping architects, builders and community groups across the country promote energy-efficient construction, particularly the Passive House building standard. The approach aims to cut energy use while keeping occupants comfortable and healthy and works for all kinds of buildings – from offices and hospitals to new construction and renovations.

The Ice Box Challenge offers a simple but striking demonstration: organizers construct two small sheds – one to standard building codes and the other to Passive House standards – and place a massive block of ice in each. They leave the sheds uncooled and, at the end of the challenge, weigh the ice to see which building

This “fun and visual” demo shows that better building design conserves energy, lowers bills and keeps homes comfortable even without air conditioning, AIA Cincinnati, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said in a release.

Experience it in person

Visitors to HOMEARAMA can explore the Ice Box Challenge alongside seven newly built homes on display tucked away just a few blocks from Oakley Square. AIA members will be on site to answer questions, lead a scavenger hunt highlighting energy-efficient features and host a Sept. 27 program on applying Passive House strategies to existing homes. 

An ice cream social will follow on Oct. 5, and the final ice weigh-in takes place Oct. 10.

The local showcase is a collaboration with the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati, which produces HOMEARAMA each year to highlight innovation in residential construction.