NEWS FLASH (10/31/08) Gary Beck (2nd from right) participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the a green low income 99Khouse with Mayor White and nine other team members. ECO was the engineer-of-record for the contest's winning 1250 sf ORA-Hybrid design. The 250 entrant international contest was sponsored by the City of Houston, the AIA, and the Rice Design Alliance. Visit the website at www.the99Khouse.com or check the progess at 4015 Jewel Street.
NEWS FLASH (4/28/08) ORA-Hybrid Architects of Seattle (with ECO's engineering) was announced as The99kHouse Contest Winner! The ORA-Hybrid design team submitted their final design which included ECO's engineering detailed designs and specifications for the home's foundation and frame. ECO's five blueprint pages enhanced ORA-Hybrid's design and construction documentation package to help them win the 250+ entry low income green home design competition. The contest was sponsored by Rice University, The City of Houston, and the American Institute of Architects. For more information on the contest visit www.the99khouse.com (see the winning design above with our in-house rendering of it below).
$99K green homes are the 'Holy Grail' of the design industry. Low income homes are designed by students and designers everywhere. Many local builders offer wonderful starter homes for ~$100k. Recently Rice University, the City of Houston, and other notable sponsors developed a $99K House design/build contest. ECO entered the contest (read our sad story below) but did not make the cut. But soon afterwards ECO was asked to provide engineering by Hybrid/ORA Architects of Seattle Washington for their 99KHouse.com contest design. We were thrilled to help their effort and will keep you posted on the results!
ECO's E! is our own '$99K' contest green featured home with a more traditional look. E! was designed with a 36'x36' footprint using Autodesk Revit's 'Building Informational Modeling (BIM) software. We used Revit to create this 2-story 4 bedroom 1400sf craftsman style home that can be adjusted to fit even a 40' lot. We chose to include green on-site power so E! includes a $5000 solar PV system. In Texas, each E! homeowner will produce approximately 100% of their non-HVAC annual kW-hrs. E! uses High Velocity HVAC with small ducts placed in walls and floors to deliver conditioned air using less energy. E! also has an integral passive solar water heater. E! pays for these alternative energy systems through carefully designed-in cost advantages provided by newer building systems that save construction steps. (a) Earthwork, foundation labor, and drywall use are significantly reduced. (b) Fly ash concrete forms an elevated slab with Under Floor Air Delivery using thermal mass while thermally coupling with 70°F soil, (c) time and money is saved by replacing common flooring with stained concrete. (d) The cast-in-place raised perimeter stem wall forms a stone-like foundation skirt that inexpensively eliminates the chance of flood damage. (e) E! pulls out rough carpentry and insulation costs by applying local Aerated Concrete Block and SIP components (but E! can also be built using 2x6@24" centers wood framing). (f) E! savings continue by removing more traditional finishing costs through design choices like of rustic Cedar trim and natural Juniper column materials.
Those are the basics of E! The above are design and construction solutions that any builder familiar with green construction could adopt into their own plans. Once the components were sourced, the builder could include these unique features (after the blue prints were reviewed and certified by an engineer or permit department). But the best builder can only be as good as the construction plans he works from. Rough or undetailed plans unfortunately mean that all the construction details must come from the builder's head (his experience). This is a tough way to build even for the most experienced builder. A project built without clear plans also would be more likely be over budget, late in completion, and suffer in quality and durability.
A better approach might be to build from clear plans that show every view, every item, every detail, every source, and every aspect of the green home to be built. The E! plan set is just such a detailed construction plan set (blue print) that has also been reviewed and then certified for your Texas site by a Texas Professional Engineer working for a registered and insured engineering firm. (E! is based on Texas structural material choices and sources, but can also be reviewed for changes in material sourcing and then certified by others for construction at any other location.)
What do the E! plans include?
E! construction plan sets covers every aspect of construction. This includes an engineered foundation and frame, and all plans for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Detail pages cover all windstorm resistance, masonry, roofing, windows, doors, and finish details. E! includes a RES-Check energy report to confirm that E! is designed to consume 25% less energy than an equal 'Energy Star' home. When built E! is a complete ready to occupy home that should cost less than $100,000 (plus land costs). This $70/sf price is possible due to innovative structural design, smart space design, and a creative choice to use the advantages offered by alternate building materials and their natural finishes.
Most people do not think about a home's attic volume (typically 30% of the total volume) as a useful area. For a typical 1400 sf design, that attic volume sits on about 500 sf. E! uses Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) which provide a sealed, moisture and dust free, semi-conditioned attic area. A small portion of that area (50 sf) holds HVAC equipment that is kept within 15°F (compared to 50°F!) of air conditioned or heated rooms. With cost minor improvement, an owner can reclaim another 250 sf as conditioned attic space useful for extending a sleeping, reading or study area.
Additional description (always subject to change and improvement) is as follows:
E! includes all design costs and engineering costs if built in Texas
E! includes the expected cost of materials, labor, and professional trades.
Stained Concrete, Rustic Pine Flooring, Tiled Baths
Patio, Veranda, and outside cooking station
Solar PV Electricity, Solar Hot Water, and Rain Water Harvesting systems
Bathrooms, showers, bath fixtures, vanity package
Interior lighting, power, and natural ventilation
Heating and air conditioning + Shelter-In-Place Off-Grid
Base line major appliances - like new used or refurbished.
What does the price NOT include?
Is everything included? No! You need time, money, land, furniture, and food.
E! includes the estimated cost of materials, and the expected cost of labor and trades. You add the land with all site improvements. Here is a list of what is not included in our $99K cost estimate:
Land, site development, dirt work, site drainage
Site Survey, Soils Testing, Building Permits
Sanitary, sewer, or septic lines, connections, or equipment
Water, sewer, gas, electric supply or connections to house
Special site work (special excavation, access, drainage, landscaping)
Special foundations beyond the robust E! slab foundation system
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day… …Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.
The E! design is a high tech engineered home inside a proven traditional craftsman design. E! will fit into any neighborhood. E! is a 'low- bills' solution to the fixed income of our senior years. For neighborhood revitalization, E! becomes a ‘Smart-Start’ dwelling rather than a ‘low income starter home’. E! materials and systems are selected to create 'green tradecraft' training opportunities for areas known to be in short supply (installation of SIP, Aerated Concrete Block, and Solar Components). In this way E! redefines the ‘worth’ of home ownership through owner paced home improvements that grow both home investment and self worth.
Additional E! features are:
1. 100% of E!’s structural systems are manufactured within 45 miles of downtown Houston. 2. Design creates 50% fewer worker-commute-days reduces E!’s carbon footprint. 3. Systems allow 30% of E!’s labor man-hours can be drawn from neighborhood hires. 4. Unskilled workers will learn ‘green tradecrafts’ of aerated concrete masonry walls, SIP roofs, and solar PV and HW component installation 5. Advanced raised foundation remains thermally coupled to 78 degree soil. 6. Shaded southern & eastern walls from aerate-concrete mortar-less block. 7. Western & northern walls from SIPs nullify directional energy loads. 8. SIP roofs create conditioned living space instead of a hot attic 9. Separate Solar system provides 100% of all lighting needs 10. PEX rainwater provides dishwasher; washing machine; flush water. 11. Shelter-In-Place hurricane protection and habitation without electricity. 12. Designed-in flexible use areas for homework, home business, outdoor cooking, gardening, hobbies, auto maintenance, and electric-only yard care. 13. Targeting 3500 kWh annual (~2.5 kWh/sf @1400 sf. EnergyStar is about 3.5 kWh/sf) 14. Onsite solar power can provide approximately 100% of annual lighting, refrigeration, computer, and entertainment electricity needs and 100% of the energy needed to provide hot water.
Why are similar designs and green building approaches not more available? The answer is - they ARE available, but you need to look harder at smaller companies for green building innovations.
So why E! and why now? E! began as an idea for ECO in 2006. E! was finally focused by a local design contest (the99khouse) that we entered. At the start of the contest submission date (1/14/08) E! was 95% complete. But then a computer crisis (really) caused us to miss completing our last 5% in time. Now, unless the contest owners decide to offer a special 'You Missed the Deadline But We like Your Stuff Anyway" consolation prize, our missed submission is your gain. ECO can provide engineer stamped construction ready E! 'greenprints' quickly for nearly any Texas site.
We hope you build our E! design someday, but it is just one small approach to building green. Of course there are many unique ideas that make this 1400 sf plan floor plan work. But the real value the E! design offers are all the construction details and components suppliers that make it locally possible.
ECO can bring this knowledge and detail into any residential design. All of the E! design concepts, details, alternative materials, and green components can be applied with our engineering to your own architectural design.
We welcome discussion with owners or builders or community groups who want to build smart low cost green homes. To learn how we can help you build our E!, your own green home design, or just to learn about the "Nuts and Bolts of Green Homes" call us at 713-377-4209.
NEWS FLASH (10/31/08) Gary Beck (2nd from right) participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the a green low income 99Khouse with Mayor White and nine other team members. ECO was the engineer-of-record for the contest's winning 1250 sf ORA-Hybrid design. The 250 entrant international contest was sponsored by the City of Houston, the AIA, and the Rice Design Alliance. Visit the website at 
NEWS FLASH (4/28/08) ORA-Hybrid Architects of Seattle (with ECO's engineering) was announced as The99kHouse Contest Winner! The ORA-Hybrid design team submitted their final design which included ECO's engineering detailed designs and specifications for the home's foundation and frame. ECO's five blueprint pages enhanced ORA-Hybrid's design and construction documentation package to help them win the 250+ entry low income green home design competition. The contest was sponsored by Rice University, The City of Houston, and the American Institute of Architects. For more information on the contest visit 
$99K green homes are the 'Holy Grail' of the design industry. Low income homes are designed by students and designers everywhere. Many local builders offer wonderful starter homes for ~$100k. Recently Rice University, the City of Houston, and other notable sponsors developed a $99K House design/build contest. ECO entered the contest (read our sad story below) but did not make the cut. But soon afterwards ECO was asked to provide engineering by Hybrid/ORA Architects of Seattle Washington for their 99KHouse.com contest design. We were thrilled to help their effort and will keep you posted on the results! 
ECO's E! is our own '$99K' contest green featured home with a more traditional look. E! was designed with a 36'x36' footprint using Autodesk Revit's 'Building Informational Modeling (BIM) software. We used Revit to create this 2-story 4 bedroom 1400sf craftsman style home that can be adjusted to fit even a 40' lot. We chose to include green on-site power so E! includes a $5000 solar PV system. In Texas, each E! homeowner will produce approximately 100% of their non-HVAC annual kW-hrs. E! uses High Velocity HVAC with small ducts placed in walls and floors to deliver conditioned air using less energy. E! also has an integral passive solar water heater. E! pays for these alternative energy systems through carefully designed-in cost advantages provided by newer building systems that save construction steps. (a) Earthwork, foundation labor, and drywall use are significantly reduced. (b) Fly ash concrete forms an elevated slab with Under Floor Air Delivery using thermal mass while thermally coupling with 70°F soil, (c) time and money is saved by replacing common flooring with stained concrete. (d) The cast-in-place raised perimeter stem wall forms a stone-like foundation skirt that inexpensively eliminates the chance of flood damage. (e) E! pulls out rough carpentry and insulation costs by applying local Aerated Concrete Block and SIP components (but E! can also be built using 2x6@24" centers wood framing). (f) E! savings continue by removing more traditional finishing costs through design choices like of rustic Cedar trim and natural Juniper column materials.
Those are the basics of E! The above are design and construction solutions that any builder familiar with green construction could adopt into their own plans. Once the components were sourced, the builder could include these unique features (after the blue prints were reviewed and certified by an engineer or permit department). But the best builder can only be as good as the construction plans he works from. Rough or undetailed plans unfortunately mean that all the construction details must come from the builder's head (his experience). This is a tough way to build even for the most experienced builder. A project built without clear plans also would be more likely be over budget, late in completion, and suffer in quality and durability. 
E! construction plan sets covers every aspect of construction. This includes an engineered foundation and frame, and all plans for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Detail pages cover all windstorm resistance, masonry, roofing, windows, doors, and finish details. E! includes a RES-Check energy report to confirm that E! is designed to consume 25% less energy than an equal 'Energy Star' home. When built E! is a complete ready to occupy home that should cost less than $100,000 (plus land costs). This $70/sf price is possible due to innovative structural design, smart space design, and a creative choice to use the advantages offered by alternate building materials and their natural finishes. 
Most people do not think about a home's attic volume (typically 30% of the total volume) as a useful area. For a typical 1400 sf design, that attic volume sits on about 500 sf. E! uses Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) which provide a sealed, moisture and dust free, semi-conditioned attic area. A small portion of that area (50 sf) holds HVAC equipment that is kept within 15°F (compared to 50°F!) of air conditioned or heated rooms. With cost minor improvement, an owner can reclaim another 250 sf as conditioned attic space useful for extending a sleeping, reading or study area. 
The E! design is a high tech engineered home inside a proven traditional craftsman design. E! will fit into any neighborhood. E! is a 'low- bills' solution to the fixed income of our senior years. For neighborhood revitalization, E! becomes a ‘Smart-Start’ dwelling rather than a ‘low income starter home’. E! materials and systems are selected to create 'green tradecraft' training opportunities for areas known to be in short supply (installation of SIP, Aerated Concrete Block, and Solar Components). In this way E! redefines the ‘worth’ of home ownership through owner paced home improvements that grow both home investment and self worth. 
So why E! and why now? E! began as an idea for ECO in 2006. E! was finally focused by a local design contest (the99khouse) that we entered. At the start of the contest submission date (1/14/08) E! was 95% complete. But then a computer crisis (really) caused us to miss completing our last 5% in time. Now, unless the contest owners decide to offer a special 'You Missed the Deadline But We like Your Stuff Anyway" consolation prize, our missed submission is your gain. ECO can provide engineer stamped construction ready E! 'greenprints' quickly for nearly any Texas site. 
We welcome discussion with owners or builders or community groups who want to build smart low cost green homes. To learn how we can help you build our E!, your own green home design, or just to learn about the "Nuts and Bolts of Green Homes" call us at 713-377-4209.
