STEP 1 - We often work for customers who purchase home plans online. These plans are typically high in quality, ...but that are often from design firms located in Florida, North Carolina, or other states. To be built in Texas, these plans need to be completed by the addition of Engineered Structural Pages for the foundation, but also for the framing system. This is the only way to get the plans permitted by the city, town, or community that requires alignment with state and local building codes. The local engineering process also adjusts the beam types, connections types, and in general to the materials that are available locally.
STEP 2 - ECO normally designs the foundation and frame and creates structural or 'S' pages in AutoCAD - which we then print, stamp, and sign. Alternatively we can use AutoCAD + Revit to create a 'smart' 3D design to allow more major changes. For example, an owner wants to build on Galveston, but their plans have a slab-on-grade foundation. ECO creates a 3D plan with an elevated piling foundation as required to survive a hurricane storm surge. This digital model can than be easily changed from wood framing to alternatives such as Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) framing. Once in 3D, other changes can also be easily completed.
STEP 3 - Build it! The construction systems were adjusted to meet Texas coastal requirements plus your desire for a storm resistant energy efficient home. The look and feel of the plans that you have chosen has not changed unless you want them to be changed. This ECO engineered energy efficient SIP home on pilings went through Hurricane Ike on Galveston without structural damage.
END RESULT --> STANDARD HOME PLANS BECOME TEXAS GREEN HOME PERMIT PLANS ! If you are planning to buy plans online, we recommend that you call us for free engineering guidance that can save you money on the above process. Now this is where it gets interesting! By combining the above plan conversion and basic engineering capability, with our experience in green building systems, we can convert any ‘standard’ blue print to a 'structural green envelope' home design - without losing the original home design plan in the process. This process involves early discussion of building structure and system options, and then the conversion or addition of selected green features.
FLEXIBLE GREEN DESIGN - Green building structure choices can included green wood framing and insulation techniques, or conversion to SIP, AAC, or ICF structural systems. Green system choices are too many to list here, but include green MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing) for detailing energy, water, wind, solar, hobby, garden, shelter, transportation, and maintenance choices. The above image is ECO's Structural Insulated Panel based update of a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired concept home. We are completed our version in Autodesk's Revit 3D structural design software for 'Building Information Modeling' (BIM).
STEP 1 - We often work for customers who purchase home plans online. These plans are typically high in quality, ...but that are often from design firms located in Florida, North Carolina, or other states. To be built in Texas, these plans need to be completed by the addition of Engineered Structural Pages for the foundation, but also for the framing system. This is the only way to get the plans permitted by the city, town, or community that requires alignment with state and local building codes. The local engineering process also adjusts the beam types, connections types, and in general to the materials that are available locally. 
STEP 2 - ECO normally designs the foundation and frame and creates structural or 'S' pages in AutoCAD - which we then print, stamp, and sign. Alternatively we can use AutoCAD + Revit to create a 'smart' 3D design to allow more major changes. For example, an owner wants to build on Galveston, but their plans have a slab-on-grade foundation. ECO creates a 3D plan with an elevated piling foundation as required to survive a hurricane storm surge. This digital model can than be easily changed from wood framing to alternatives such as Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) framing. Once in 3D, other changes can also be easily completed.
STEP 3 - Build it! The construction systems were adjusted to meet Texas coastal requirements plus your desire for a storm resistant energy efficient home. The look and feel of the plans that you have chosen has not changed unless you want them to be changed. This ECO engineered energy efficient SIP home on pilings went through Hurricane Ike on Galveston without structural damage. 
FLEXIBLE GREEN DESIGN - Green building structure choices can included green wood framing and insulation techniques, or conversion to SIP, AAC, or ICF structural systems. Green system choices are too many to list here, but include green MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing) for detailing energy, water, wind, solar, hobby, garden, shelter, transportation, and maintenance choices. The above image is ECO's Structural Insulated Panel based update of a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired concept home. We are completed our version in Autodesk's Revit 3D structural design software for 'Building Information Modeling' (BIM). 
