Page 30 - Green Builder's Resilient Housing Design Guide 2019

Storm Front

This high-performance home in the Florida Keys, built with structural
insulated panels, weathered Hurricane Irma virtually unscathed.

W E HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE GETTING
BY GREEN BUILDER STAFF

up-to-date photos for this 1,350-sq.-ft
home, completed in June 2017. That’s
because shortly after completion,
Ramrod Key, where it stands on
Mariposa Road, was smashed by
Category 4 winds from Hurricane
Irma—almost at the storm’s center.
Local homes took a beating. In fact, three months later, the Miami
Herald reported that many residents of nearby Big Pine were still
living in tents, their homes wiped out.
Not so this SIP house. In fact, according to Innova Eco Building
System, it took no damage from the monster storm. The only challenge
has been reaching it by vehicle. The roads and infrastructure, even at
this writing in early 2018, have been blocked with debris.
The home’s extreme resilience is one reason it just won a Building
Excellence award from SIPA.
Jerry Gilman of Innova, the panel maker, notes that the SIPs were
chosen because of the region’s high risk for hurricanes, along with
energy efficiency and good moisture resistance. Panels on the walls
were 2 3/4” thick High Impact magnesium cement SIPS. On the roof
were similar 8 1/2” MgO and plywood SIPs. The home cost about
$300,000 to build, not including land, but saved considerably on labor
costs over comparable construction with concrete blocks.
“Although the surrounding homes and neighborhood were severely
damaged,” Gilman says, “this home received no damage from the
storm. Hurricane Irma damages incurred at Ground Zero for this
home was $0.” GB

PROJECT TEAM
Builder: Designer:
Pedro Falcon Contractors Innova Eco Building System
and Christian Brisson (Owner) Miami, Florida
Big Pine Key, Florida Keys

30 GREEN BUILDER MEDIA Resilient Housing Design Guide www.greenbuildermedia.com