April 12, 2012 – The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) recognized nine homes and commercial buildings that demonstrate the high levels of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability achievable with SIP construction during the 2012 Building Excellence Awards ceremony, held at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup in San Antonio, Texas. Now in its tenth year, [...]
April 12, 2012 – The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) recognized nine homes and commercial buildings that demonstrate the high levels of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability achievable with SIP construction during the 2012 Building Excellence Awards ceremony, held at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup in San Antonio, Texas. Now in its tenth year, the SIPA Building Excellence Awards highlight innovative projects using SIPs as the basis for energy-efficient, green buildings.
All submissions used SIPs for at least 50 percent of the building envelope. Entries were evaluated on energy efficiency, design and structural engineering innovation, environmental sustainability, and creative use of SIP construction.
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex by Premier SIPs
Premier SIPs took top honors for their work on the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, located outside of Los Banos, California. The judges selected the LEED Platinum visitor’s center as the Overall Competition Winner and winner of the Commercial/Industrial/Institutional category. Designed by Catalyst Architecture, the 17,000 sq. ft. building uses less than zero energy, generating more power than it consumes with a 55 kW PV system. To meet the rigorous LEED Platinum standard, designers specified SIPs for the walls and roof, along with a passive solar design that emphasizes daylighting and locally-sourced building materials.
Deep energy-efficient retrofit using retrofit insulated panels by Panelworks Plus
SIP dealer/distributor Panelworks Plus was named the Overall Competition Runner Up for their deep energy-efficient retrofit of a single family home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Crews attached 4-inch retrofit insulated panels to the exterior walls, adding continuous insulation and reducing air leakage. New high performance windows and doors were installed, as well as additional attic insulation and spray foam insulation around the rim joist. An energy audit revealed that the remodel reduced air leakage from 8.26 ACH50 to 3.97 ACH50, and cut the homeowner’s total utility costs in half.
Hudson Passive Project by Timberline Panel Company
In the Single Family Homes Under 3,000 sq. ft. category, the judges selected the Hudson Passive Project by Timberline Panel Company as the category winner. Architect Dennis Wedlick designed the home to meet the stringent Passive House standard using 12-inch SIP walls and a 12-inch SIP roof with a Neopor EPS core. Airtight SIP construction helped achieve a stunningly low blower door test result of 0.15 ACH50 and a HERS Index of 52.
Lemke Residence by Energy Panel Structures
SIP manufacturer Energy Panel Structures claimed the Single Family Homes Over 3,000 sq. ft. category with the Lemke Residence in Hampton, Iowa. By focusing on a carefully sealed building envelope that included SIPs, spray foam insulation, and foam sheathing on the basement walls, builder Craighton Construction succeeded in limiting air leakage to 0.75 ACH50. The addition of a geothermal heating and cooling system helped the home reach a HERS Index of 32.
Coventry Senior Living complex by Energy Panel Structures
Energy Panel Structures also won the Multifamily category with the Coventry Senior Living facility in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Built with 6-inch SIP walls and a 10-inch SIP roof, the three story complex is ENERGY STAR Qualified with a HERS Index of 52. Heating in the cold Minnesota climate is provided by a combination of in-floor radiant heating and an air-source heat pump.
Freehill farm shop by Energy Panel Structures
In the Agricultural category, Energy Panel Structures was selected as the category winner with the Freehill farm shop in Melvin, Illinois. The 12,800 sq. ft. building uses 8-inch-thick, 22-foot-tall SIP walls placed vertically and finished with zinc-coated galvanized steel. In addition to SIPs, builder Consolidated Builder Center installed high performance windows and insulated doors help the building owners save on energy costs while maintaining farm equipment during the winter.
Honorable mentions were awarded to the following entries:
- Single Family Homes Under 3,000 sq. ft.: Barrel Vault, Wickiup Builders
- Single Family Homes Over 3,000 sq. ft.: Newman Residence, The Chuba Company
- Commercial/Industrial/Institutional: Finn Hill Junior High School, Premier SIPs
You can see photos of all the entries on SIPA’s Building Excellence Awards page.
SIPA is now accepting entries for the 2012 Building Excellence Awards. This is a great opportunity for SIPA members to gain exposure and showcase their best work.
All contest entries will be displayed online and recognized during the Building Excellence Awards ceremony, to be held April 12, 2012 during the SIPA Annual [...]
SIPA is now accepting entries for the 2012 Building Excellence Awards. This is a great opportunity for SIPA members to gain exposure and showcase their best work.
All contest entries will be displayed online and recognized during the Building Excellence Awards ceremony, to be held April 12, 2012 during the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup in San Antonio, Texas.
To be eligible, projects must be completed during 2011 and use SIPs for a minimum of 50 percent of the building envelope. The deadline for entry is March 15, 2012, so get started!
Appleton, New York-based produce supplier Singer Farm Naturals was named the Agricultural category winner in the 2011 SIPA Building Excellence Awards for their transformation of a nineteenth century barn into an ultra-sustainable retail location for their locally grown produce.
For nearly a century the Western New York family farm, Singer Farms, has grown high quality orchard fruits sold wholesale both statewide and nationally. In 2009, one of the Singer family daughters Vivianne Szulist, along with her husband Tom, started the retail farm business Singer Farm Naturals.
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Structural insulated panels (SIPs) from Premier SIPs were used to construct the new headquarters and visitors center for the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in Coleharbor, North Dakota. The 11,000 sq. ft. visitors center is one of 11 National Wildlife Refuge buildings to be renovated or rebuilt through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the Stimulus bill.
Funds were allocated to replace the building’s 52-year-old predecessor that contained asbestos and suffered from water leakage, mold, and extensive rodent issues.
Architecture firm Widseth Smith Nolting specified 6-inch SIP walls and a 12-inch SIP roof to reduce energy costs and help the project meet the Department of the Interior’s requirement for LEED certification. In addition to the energy-saving SIP building envelope, the building has a geothermal heat pump and two vertical axis wind turbines that provide renewable energy.
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) from Premier SIPs were used to construct the new headquarters and visitors center for the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in Coleharbor, North Dakota. The 11,000 sq. ft. visitors center is one of 11 National Wildlife Refuge buildings to be renovated or rebuilt through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the Stimulus bill.
Funds were allocated to replace the building’s 52-year-old predecessor that contained asbestos and suffered from water leakage, mold, and extensive rodent issues.
Secretary Salazar takes part in the construction of the refuge's new visitor center
Architecture firm Widseth Smith Nolting specified 6-inch SIP walls and a 12-inch SIP roof to reduce energy costs and help the project meet the Department of the Interior’s requirement for LEED certification. In addition to the energy-saving SIP building envelope, the building has a geothermal heat pump and two vertical axis wind turbines that provide renewable energy.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the project while it was under construction to witness first-hand the benefits of the stimulus plan.
The project also claimed the Commercial/Industrial/Institutional category in the 2011 SIPA Building Excellence Awards.
See more project photos
March 23, 2011—The Structural Insulated Panel Association recognized five of the most energy-efficient and unique buildings constructed with structural insulated panels (SIPs) during its Building Excellence Awards ceremony at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. Now in its ninth year, the SIPA Building Excellence Awards highlight innovative projects using SIPs as the basis for energy-efficient, green buildings.
All submissions used SIPs for at least 50 percent of the building envelope. Entries were evaluated on energy efficiency, design and structural engineering innovation, and other SIPs-related factors that contributed to the overall success of the project.
The stunning O’Meara Residence took top honors as the Overall Competition Winner and winner of the Single Family Homes Over 3,000 sq. ft. category. Designed by Jean Yves-Lacroix of Lacroix Design, the 3,700 sq. ft. custom home uses a passive solar design and super-insulated SIP building envelope to meet the rigorous Passive House standard. Twelve-inch-thick SIP walls and roof from Premier SIPs keep heating loads low, even in cold Park City, Utah. Heating is provided by passive solar gain and an innovative solar thermal system with two 5,000-gallon storage tanks, in-floor radiant heating, and solar collectors on the roof and behind the metal siding. The addition of photovoltaics allows the home to have net zero energy use over the course of a year.
March 23, 2011—The Structural Insulated Panel Association recognized five of the most energy-efficient and unique buildings constructed with structural insulated panels (SIPs) during its Building Excellence Awards ceremony at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. Now in its ninth year, the SIPA Building Excellence Awards highlight innovative projects using SIPs as the basis for energy-efficient, green buildings.
All submissions used SIPs for at least 50 percent of the building envelope. Entries were evaluated on energy efficiency, design and structural engineering innovation, and other SIPs-related factors that contributed to the overall success of the project.
O'Meara Residence
The stunning O’Meara Residence took top honors as the Overall Competition Winner and winner of the Single Family Homes over 3,000 sq. ft. category. Designed by Jean Yves-Lacroix of Lacroix Design, the 3,700 sq. ft. custom home uses a passive solar design and super-insulated SIP building envelope to meet the rigorous Passive House standard. Twelve-inch-thick SIP walls and roof from Premier SIPs keep heating loads low, even in cold Park City, Utah. Heating is provided by passive solar gain and an innovative solar thermal system with two 5,000-gallon storage tanks, in-floor radiant heating, and solar collectors on the roof and behind the metal siding. The addition of photovoltaics allows the home to have net zero energy use over the course of a year.
Through the use of other sustainable materials and practices, the home also qualified as LEED Platinum and met the Emerald Level of the National Green Building Standard.
Premier SIPs also received the Runner Up award in the category for the Northwest Net Zero Residence. Judges awarded builder Scott Homes an Honorable Mention for the Far Reach House.
Spear House
Architect Sarah Nettleton’s Spear House was selected as the Overall Competition Runner Up and winner of the Single Family Homes under 3,000 sq. ft. category. Nettleton described this LEED Gold custom home as “a modern take on the self-sufficient farmhouse,” with a host of sustainable features, including rainwater collection, solar thermal heating, and locally sourced materials. The home uses 8-inch SIP walls and a 12-inch SIP roof provided by Extreme Panel Technologies. A passive solar design and remarkably air tight building envelope (0.74 ACH50) helped the home reach a HERS Index of 40, making it 60 percent more energy efficient than a code-built home.
The Category Runner Up award was given to Ferrier Custom Homes for the Zero Energy Casita. Honorable mentions were awarded to Premier SIPs for the Cypress Grove Home and Timberline Panel Company.
Aeon Alliance Expansion
In the Multifamily category, SIP manufacturer Extreme Panel Technologies was selected as the category winner for the Aeon Alliance Expansion, a four-story, 63,000 sq. ft. sober living community for the formerly homeless in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Designers Cermak Rhoades Architects specified 6-inch SIP walls to help meet the goal of LEED certification. In addition to the energy-efficient and durable SIP walls, the building uses an advanced ductless heat pump system for further heating and cooling savings.
Singer Farms
New York-based R-Control SIP manufacturer Thermal Foams received the Agricultural category award for the Singer Farms Naturals barn in Appleton, New York. Originally an 1840’s barn, the reconstruction involved placing 10-inch SIPs on the roof and building a hybrid wall system using SIPs and straw bale construction. Heating is provided by a radiant heating system powered by solar collectors and an efficient wood burning furnace. The barn also relies on a 10kW photovoltaic array for renewable energy.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center
In the Commercial/Industrial/Institutional category, Premier SIPs took home the award for the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center in Coleharbor, North Dakota. The 11,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold building was constructed by the U.S. Department of the Interior to serve visitors to the 14,000 acre federally-administered wildlife refuge. Architecture firm Widseth Smith Nolting specified 6-inch SIP walls and a 12-inch SIP roof to help meet the Department of the Interior’s requirement for LEED certification. Renewable energy is provided by onsite photovoltaics and wind generation.
Premier SIPs also received Honorable Mention awards for the Los Banos Community Center and the Amavi Winery.
Johnson Residence
Builder Ted Clifton of CVH, Inc. won the Renovation category award for his deep energy-efficient retrofit of the Johnson Residence in Oak Harbor, Washington. Clifton applied Retrofit Insulated Panels over the existing walls to add insulation and improve airtightness. The remodel also included a 600 sq. ft. addition built with SIPs. By adding new windows, floor and attic insulation, as well as adding a ductless mini-split heat pump, Clifton was able to reduce the energy used for heating and cooling by 83 percent. What was once a typical 1970’s rambler is now 26 percent more efficient than a home built to today’s building codes.
April 21, 2010 – SIPA recognized five of the most energy-efficient and unique buildings constructed with structural insulated panels during 2009 at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Now in its eighth year, the SIPA Building Excellence Awards highlight innovative projects using high performance structural insulated panels (SIPs) as the basis for energy-efficient, green buildings.
To be eligible, all entries must use SIPs for at least 50% of the building envelope. Entries were evaluated on energy efficiency, design and structural engineering innovation, and other SIPs-related factors that contributed to the overall success of the project.
Las Vegas architecture firm SSA Architecture took top honors as the Overall Competition Winner and winner in the Commercial/Industrial/Institutional category with the Jacob E. Manch Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada. SSA succeeded in reducing energy use of the 68,000 sq. ft. school by 50 percent over the Clark County School District’s typical construction methods without increasing the construction budget. Working with SIP manufacturer Premier Building Systems and dealer/distributor Shell Building Systems, crews were able to dry in the building in just 90 days, knocking 50 to 60 percent off of the construction schedule. The school is 100 percent daylighted and uses off-perpendicular walls to mitigate noise reverberation from a nearby Air Force base. Students are encouraged to learn about the energy and water saving aspects of the school’s construction through several Building as a Learning Tool stations positioned throughout the building.
SIPA member manufacturer Insulspan received a 2010 Excellence in Design Award from the Building Systems Councils (BSC). Insulspan grabbed top honors in the Green Panelized Home category for the Blunk residence in Batavia, Ill., the same home that claimed the 2009 SIPA Building Excellence Award for single family home under 3,000 sq. ft.
Inspired by the German Passive House standard, the Blunk residence achieved the remarkable goal of using only one watt of energy per each square foot of conditioned space on even the coldest days of the year. With a 12-inch SIP roof, 10-inch SIP walls and insulated concrete forms (ICFs) used below grade, the home has a HERS Index of 40 and averages less than $50 per month in heating and cooling costs.
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