Nominee
PHNX1/Palos Residence - First Type II Non-Combustible, Net-Zero Home in the US
Category
Innovative Project
Description
Tony Penna - Penna Construction, Inc., Laurie C Fisher - LCFA Studio and PHNX Development, Ryan & Ann Palos (Owner/Developer), Fox Blocks ICFs (Member NRMCA)
PHNX1 was built for the Palos family, who lost their home in the devastating 2019Tick Fire. The greatest priority and challenge was developing a fire-resistant home that is *Net-Zero’. Every aspect of the home needed particular research and sourcing to ensure it met California Type II requirements. ICF construction alleviated much of this difficulty, because Fox Blocks ICFs are highly sustainable and energy-efficient, meeting Net-Zero and Type II construction needs. The design of the home was fairly simple; however, the construction included revolutionary techniques that have not been done before in residential builds. With no residential fire-resistant roofing options on the market, the engineer, general contractor, and sheet metal contractor worked together to develop a new roofing system to achieve the Type II fire-resistant building rating. This system includes 44-foot-long panels craned onto the roof to produce an all-weather, insulated, panel roof system. As an added benefit, the absence of wood created a home with close to zero maintenance required; eliminating threats of rot, insects, termite damage, and the need for painting that occurs with wood builds.
*This Net-Zero Home uses a full-capacity solar array and battery backup storage system to be grid independent.
Project Stats Location: Santa Clarita, California Industry:
Large Residential Size: 2,521 sq. ft. + 606 garage sq. ft.
ICF Use: 4,795 sq. ft.
Cost: $1 Million
Total Construction: 44 Weeks
ICF Installation Time: 50 Days
GC & ICF Installer: Tony Penna,Penna Construction, Inc.
Architect: Laurie C Fisher, LCFA Studio
Forms Used: Fox Blocks 6-inch core forms and Fox Bucks
Evidence
The first Type-II Non-Combustible home in the United States was designed, built and completed in less than 21 months with the same cost as a traditional build. As a Net-Zero home, the PHNX1 is highly sustainable, and wastes no energy while running air conditioning, heat, or electricity. ICF is the critical ingredient in the PHNX1 home. To ensure a Net-Zero home, all products had to be thoroughly researched, and any slight deviation would eliminate the Net-Zero and Type II certifications. The home would not achieve either classification without ICF construction. The home is fully electric, with state-of-the-art appliances to eliminate fossil fuels and uses a full-capacity solar array and battery backup storage system to be grid independent. Penna construction and PHNX Development have implemented a design strategy to efficiently build fire-resistant and resilient homes in the most rigid and demanding State for building and energy codes. This presents a viable example of how to design and build great residential homes to meet future climate events.
Featured In:
• ABC7 Los Angeles
• Inside Edition
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