Net-Zero Ready ADU SIP Los Altos Hills CA

Location: Los Altos Hills, CA

Project Information

Project Type:	Residential, Tiny House < 900 sq. ft.
Manufacturer:	Premier Building Systems
Builder:	SCS Construction
Design Professional:	Chung Pong Ng P.E.
Year Built:	2023

Performance

High Performance:	No
HERS/EUI Index Score:
ACH50 - Blower Test Results:
kBtu/sq.ft./year:
CO2 lbs./sq.ft./year:

BEA: 2024 Building Excellence Award - Classic Winner

Building use:
850 square foot additional dwelling unit.

How did SIP construction help you get this job?
It’s on a steep hill in a high seismic area so much stronger than sticks, speed of construction was also a factor.

SIP wall thickness and core material: 6” EPS
SIP roof thickness and core material: 10” EPS

Describe the benefits of using SIPs on this project. Did SIPs help save time, labor, construction costs, or energy?
Title 24 and high seismic requirements were easily met with SIPS thermal values and strength. Tight jobsite great for panelized construction. The entire envelope including 850 sf of floor panels were SIPS the tight hilltop jobsite using SIPS for the floors was much faster, economical and easier to install than to try to pour a slab in a tight site. On the construction side there were savings on labor as the SIPS very easy and fast to install and the entire building was installed in two days. Using the SIP design has helped with the energy efficiency of the building for the long term while the owner is renovating their primary home (also on the property).

Describe any innovative design elements or structural engineering involved:
The loads that the wall and ceiling panels are able to carry are great and make the building process much more efficient since you are able to eliminate members used in conventional framing.

HERS: CF2R & CF3R CalCerts HERS Title 24 energy modeling for net zero ready met

ACH50: Title 24 energy modeling for net zero ready met

HVAC:2 mini split systems are used to heat and cool the conditioned space.

Any additional comments on the project:
SIP panels are a great product for energy efficiency and if the project is planned and managed correctly they can help save a large amount of labor and overall time spent on the project construction.

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