Structural insulated panels are being considered by many in the Inland Empire of Southern California as an energy-efficient, affordable housing design solution.
In the Inland Empire, where housing prices have escalated along with new construction, many are considering structural insulated panel construction in residential development. "Because of the foam core insulation and Lego-like, snap-together construction, the structural panel homes are 15 times more airtight than traditional homes and are highly energy efficient." The panels are beneficial to California, in particular, as structural panel homes can withstand earthquakes and meet fire safety codes. "Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s built one of the first homes made from structural insulated panels. But the method has captured the interest of consumers on a large scale only within the past five to 10 years as technology improved and more panel manufacturers set up shop...."
Thanks to Connie Chung
Read the full story: California a niche for new home materials
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority