A unique new home in Oakland Hills, Calif., gets it lightweight frame from technology used in the aerospace industry.
Designed and assembled using a patented light-steel framing method from Canadian manufacturer Bone Structure, the home is expected to consume up to 90% less energy than a traditional home. It was assembled from columns and beams that were laser cut in a manufacturing plant and delivered to the site for assembly.
Electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems were easily connected thanks to precut openings acting as “highways” within the structure. Precut insulation panels clipped into place between the steel columns and polyurethane foam insulation was sprayed on the exterior to tightly seal the building and act as a vapor barrier. Together, the steel structure, insulation panels, spray insulation, and roof create a tight, energy efficient envelope, says Charles Bovet, Bone Structure, U.S. vice president.
“Our shells are net zero ready, meaning they are extremely energy efficient and with the addition of a small solar system they can produce more energy than they consume,” says Bovet.
Homes built with the new technique can have a very large open plan interior space and double height ceilings, he adds. The home’s shell produces near zero waste, is made of 89 percent recycled steel, and is 100% recyclable, seismically resilient, and safe from damage by termites and mold, according to the firm.
Currently on the market for $3 million, the home features bay and canyon views, floor-to-ceiling windows, five bedrooms, and a gourmet kitchen with Thermador appliances. Machined in the same factories used by the automotive and aerospace industries, the home also features a glass-enclosed stairway, see-through fireplace, and 40 foot wide deck.
