Bigger factors in passive house design are siting and orientation, building envelope air sealing, continuous insulation, and correct window placement and shading - usually with purpose designed shade structures - not trees.

It's not that trees can't provide the shade, but they take a while to grow enough to achieve the immediate effect of an awning. If you have a mature tree on a site, however, you could design a house that takes advantage of the shade it already provides.

That's fine when you live in a house. Not so relevant when you live 20 storeys up. I feel like way too much time and effort goes into improving single family houses, as opposed to larger multi-family buildings. They could be built to be much more efficient and just as comfortable. But alas.

One problem is that fire prevention and safety has trumped energy efficiency.

Can I open my window more than 4” no, someone could fall out.

Can we prop our doors open to get a draft? No.

The reduced external surface area to volume ratio really improves efficiency though.