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In This Issue:
FIU STUDIES HOW CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LOCATIONS WITHSTAND HURRICANES:
A recent article in the Miami Herald (Beatrice A. Garcia, 10/13/06) describes groundbreaking work being done at Florida International University’s (FIU) International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) that aims to determine how building materials, construction practices, and structures stand up to massive storms. The IHRC is currently developing the second phase of its “Wall of Wind” project, which will use six fans to produce winds consistent with a Category 5 hurricane. According to another article in the New York Times (Cornelia Dean, 10/10/06), researchers at FIU have used a formula based on storm intensity, flooding potential, population, evacuation routes, and other factors to determine the 10 areas most vulnerable to loss of life and property damage during a hurricane. Although New Orleans was not surprisingly determined to be the most vulnerable area, other areas were less obvious, including Lake Okeechobee, Fla., which received the second spot. To learn more about the IHRC’s research, read the Miami Herald and New York Times articles, or visit the IHRC website.
MODEL HOMES OFFER NATIONAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPACT RESULTS:
According to a recent release (10/06/06), engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a database of more than 200 residential buildings representing 80 percent of the U.S. housing stock in order to conduct nationwide analyses of ventilation, air cleaning, or moisture control strategies to reduce indoor air pollution. The data gathered from the homes can be combined with a computer simulation technique to determine the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) interventions. Conclusions drawn from simulations with a particular house type should be valid for similar houses on a nationwide or regional level, offering useful information for home builders and housing authorities. Current representations of the dwellings and floorplans are available at www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis. For more information, read the release.
"FAB TREE HAB" COULD BE THE GREENEST HOUSE ON THE BLOCK:
According to a recent article in Popular Science (Gregory Mone, October 2006), architects have designed a house that will grow from a few seedlings into a two-story, water-recycling, energy-efficient home. The Fab Tree Hab’s walls will be formed from a lattice-like weave of vines and roots, packed with clay, and plastered over on the inside to protect its inhabitants from the elements. Each house will take at least five years to grow and will likely be cultivated on a farm. When finished, customers can have them transported and planted on a lot within 100 miles. For more information, including an animated clip of what the homes will look like, read the article.
LOFTCUBE DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ROOFTOP REAL ESTATE:
According to a recent article in gizmag.com (09/28/06), the Loftcube, a 39- or 55-square meter penthouse designed by German firm Werner Aisslinger, has been designed to take advantage of prime real estate – on rooftops of city buildings. The Loftcube, which costs between $112,830 and $157,196, can be fully functional in two to four days once it is in place and can be picked up and moved elsewhere at a later date. To learn more, read the article.
OPEN-SOURCE HOMES AIM FOR MASS CUSTOMIZATION:
According to a recent feature in Popular Science (Dawn Stover, 10/06), MIT architect Ken Larson envisions transforming America’s construction industry by building “open source” homes, or homes built the way computers are built. Constructing these homes would allow for “mass customization” – the combination of customizable homes with quick production. The open-source process would allow homebuyers to visualize various configurations before construction begins, then change the home’s layout as their needs change over time. Current prototype homes consist of prefabricated finished sections that include all wiring, plumbing, insulation, interior drywall, and exterior cladding, which are produced in factories. After construction, interior walls can be moved to create new floor plans, and wiring can be easily upgraded, repaired and reconfigured. To learn more about these homes, read the feature.
NEW BOOKLET ON PANELIZED CONSTRUCTION FOR CUSTOM HOMES:
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released a new guide to panelized housing for consumers. According to a recent release (10/18/06), panelized home building systems combine the best aspects of traditional stick-built homes and modern technology, are cost-effective, have flexible designs, are energy- and resource-efficient, and offer well-designed homes in less time. Panelized Homes: Custom Designs, Your Building Solution, is a full-color, 12-page booklet that introduces consumers to the features and benefits of panelized housing, and offers tips for choosing the right type of panelized home. For more information, read the release or order a copy of Panelized Homes: Custom Designs, Your Building Solution at www.nahb.org/panel.
EPOXY PIPE LINING ADDED TO PATH TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY:
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) recently added epoxy pipe lining to its Technology Inventory. The Inventory highlights new and emerging technologies that demonstrate great potential for improving housing performance. Epoxy pipe lining, which can smooth the interior surface of deteriorating pipes, was added to the Inventory for its practical, time-saving features – it is a cure-in-place technique that delivers a quality alternative to time-consuming pipe excavation and replacement. The lining can be enhanced by using visual inspection systems and fiber optic lighting to gauge the degree of deterioration, pipe diameter, and effectiveness of the installation. To learn more about epoxy pipe lining and other innovative home building technologies, including installation information, costs, benefits, and code acceptance, visit the Technology Inventory.