Courtesy Babcock Ranch/BamCore

Right before the close of 2024, eco-friendly master plan Babcock Ranch, home builder D.R. Horton, and BamCore piloted new innovative green construction technologies in the community’s Palmetto Landing neighborhood.

The pilot project showcases BamCore's DuoShear and newly released MonoShear framing systems, both of which offer strength, thermal performance, and acoustic insulation. Additionally, these systems are proven to reduce construction time and material waste, while decarbonizing the built environment.

“The collaboration with D.R. Horton and BamCore further underscores Babcock Ranch’s commitment to serving as a living laboratory and testing ground for new home building solutions,” says Tom Hoban, president and chief investment officer at Kitson & Partners. “As we continue to create the ‘hometown of tomorrow’ and usher in the next era of building design, we will seek out and support sustainable, innovative, climate-resilient, energy-efficient, and community-focused partners.”

Designed for one- to three-story applications, the MonoShear framing system offers builders a way to streamline operations, improve product quality, and meet the growing demand for affordable, sustainable, carbon-negative, high-performance housing.

Courtesy Babcock Ranch/BamCore

To demonstrate the speed and ease of BamCore's advanced prefabricated framing systems, D.R. Horton and Builders FirstSource put the product to use on Dec. 16. Within three hours, the teams had constructed all structural walls and installed the trusses.

"This collaboration aligns well with our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” says Justin Robbins, D.R. Horton's Southwest Florida division president. “BamCore's products have been tested to Miami-Dade standards and have proven to be a hurricane-approved product that offers us a way to build stronger, more energy-efficient homes while reducing our carbon footprint. Initial assessments suggest we could see thermal performance improvements of up to 55% compared to traditional framing methods."

According to the partnership, the results from this pilot project have the potential to pave the way for broader adoption of sustainable, green building practices and technologies, which would develop more climate-resilient, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly housing worldwide.