What are the different between sustainable architecture and passive architecture?

Answer 1

Sustainability is the ability to save the resources for future generations. Some argue that it does not have to be using passive systems, but they tried using technology in a smart way to achieve that goal. So passive architecture is the elimination of all impassive systems and therefore achieve that goal. To sum up, almost all passive architecture is sustainable, but not all sustainable architecture passive.

Answer 2

Designing in a Passive Mode:

Passive design is a strategy used by both mechanical and electrical engineers to allow a structure to utilise the environment around it for heating and ventilation. Passively constructed systems can harness natural forces such as sunlight, wind, and gravity, which means they don't require grid electricity or fuel to operate.

Active Design Mode:

Active design is a structure or system that either consumes or is capable of producing electricity, which encompasses the vast majority of existing structures. To put this into perspective, if a passive design uses natural 'non-powered' systems for ventilation and heating, an active design building will achieve the same result, but will have to rely on technology like solar panels, heat recovery systems, or renewable energy sources like wind turbines.