FAS Houston House

FAS’s Building Technology Program is constructing a home in Houston, Texas, to demonstrate the use of structural insulated panel construction as part of a safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost efficient home. FAS is constructing a single family home using fiber cement board panels with expanded polystyrene cores.

These panels passed rigorous test requirements established by the International Code Council (ICC), which dictates standards for building in the United States, as well as additional tests conducted by FAS that looked at structural and fire safety under extreme conditions.

In designing the home, the FAS Building Technology research group established a list of criteria including cost and energy efficiency when compared to traditional, stick-built homes, attractive architectural details, safety in wind and fire, resistance to mold and pests, and environmentally friendly materials. The design, provided by Houston architect Roger Rasbach, was specifically formulated for panel use, thus easing construction and further lowering costs.

The home is currently under construction.

To learn more please visit: www.fas.org/programs/energy/btech/index. html.

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items are from between 17 Feb 2009 & 20 Apr 2009.