Case Study 5- Wenatchee Blitz Build

3 Bed, 2 Bath home

Construction:

2x6 wood frame construction

Gypsum board interior walls

Vinyl siding

Asphalt shingle roof

Sod landscaping

R-21 High Density Batt insulation

Primary entrance must be covered

Slab on grad foundation

Wall electric heaters in each room and one wall mounted AC unit located in the living room

Sustainable/Green Building Habitat Style:

Habitat for Humanity is committed to energy-efficient building practices to conserve natural resources and reduce long-term costs for Habitat homeowners. Habitat builds homes using construction standards that pay attention to water and energy efficiency, safety and health, and materials conservation. Habitat is continually seeking new ideas to build sustainable and to educate the volunteers that work on each build site.

- Energy Star homes

Design Critique:

The Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build took one week from start to finish with numerous volunteers helping day in and day out to complete the house. The home uses the standard 3 bedroom 2 bath house plan that Habitat for Wenatchee has been using for the last four years. There is a main covered entrance that opens into the living and dining areas with a hallway leading back to the three bedrooms. This particular plan allows for a side entrance as well leading to the yard through the utility room.

 Habitat for Wenatchee has only been using the basics to this point with the standard floor plan and little planning for any sustainability. There are Energy Star appliances in the home but that is the extent. The plan has very nice flow to it for a basic floor plan that could be easily modified to allow for a more passive heating and cooling system to be implemented. Making other environmentally conscience changes to the house plan, the materials used and the design aesthetics of the home can be made to any Habitat home especially with keeping in mind Habitat's budget constraints. Making more sustainable living choices for Habitat will only allow Habitat for Humanity as an organization to grow and move forward with the design community.