Guest Blog - Western Constructors
Western Constructors Guest Blog – Phoenix Haus
Phoenix Haus: What We Do
Imagine a solution that addresses issues of toxic environmental standards such as poor air, while also confronting inefficient energy usage. A solution that can also save folks money in energy costs. A solution that, at its premium level, has net positive energy usage.
While you may guess the solution is a series of actions or regulations, the solution is more concrete than that: a house. At Phoenix Haus, we are a company whose mission is building prefabricated homes: high performing structures that consist of panels featuring the latest and greatest in construction innovations. Also referred to as Passive Houses in that these structures are highly energy efficient, Phoenix Haus is leading the way in building healthy and sustainable homes.
Spearheading the Healthy Home Movement
There’s a lot of talk in today’s world about exposure to toxins and pollutants and how to combat such issues with sustainable and eco-friendly actions such as recycling and reducing carbon emissions (by biking to work, for example). These are great choices, but what about looking even further for a solution? One that comprehensively addresses your immediate environment: your own home. Phoenix Haus CEO Bill McDonald came to realize this in this youth, as he suffered from breathing problems due to severe allergies. At the time, in the 1990s, there was no filtered fresh air ventilation within homes. During his collegiate studies, Bill became interested in innovative building technologies such as LEED green construction and design, structures that are highly energy efficient. An idea emerged: building structures that not only practice energy efficiency, but that can also promote one’s health. Thus, the healthy homes movement.
Homesteads: Featuring the Latest Innovations
Built with high quality, non-chemical, recycled wood-based materials, Phoenix Haus’s Homesteads – as they are referred – leave occupants breathing easy. Literally.
Homesteads are built with fresh filtered air systems, providing folks with the cleanest air, thus relieving allergies and other respiratory issues. You won’t find such systems within standard, built on site homes, which often entail the use of toxin containing materials. All Phoenix Haus Homesteads also include pre-installed triple paned windows and doors for the best insulation, and use air source heating and cooling. The result: a highly functional structure that can reduce homeowner’s energy usage by as much as 93%. But you may be wondering, what is the actual process of designing, manufacturing, and assembling a panelized Homestead?
European Inspired Design, and Panelized Process
Unlike the construction industry in the US, the majority of European construction is prefabricated. Inspired by and following European aesthetics, Phoenix Haus Homesteads are not only optimally functional, but have a unique aesthetic, throughout. To bring such expertise to life, Phoenix Haus utilizes BIM, or Building Information Modeling, the latest and greatest in construction technology software. BIM creates a digital, 3D model of a Homestead, which streamlines the construction process between the design and build aspects. Using BIM, the panels themselves are manufactured off site, at Phoenix Haus’s warehouse in Grand Junction, CO. Once completed, the panels are then transported and delivered to a job site, where they are then assembled by a traditional general contractor.
Advantages of Building Off Site
Aside from serving as healthy and optimal environments, Passive Houses have several advantages when it comes to reforming construction timelines. Whereas traditional, on site builds are affected by outdoor elements, resulting in delays, shifting building to an indoor manufacturing environment speeds up construction time. Time and pace can be properly controlled and monitored, meaning exponential savings. Compare that to traditional construction, which can reach up to 80% over budget, and take up to 20% longer to complete.
Providing Happy Homesteads
Phoenix Haus aims to not only provide healthy Homesteads, but happy ones as well. Several Homestead designs are available, ranging from 900 sq. feet to 3,000 sq. feet, so homeowners can choose according to their needs and budget. All Homesteads feature a minimalist design inside and out, with spacious and open living areas. As the costs of living continue to increase, Phoenix Haus strongly believes that homeowners should inhabit a place that makes them happy, aesthetically and financially, while promoting rather than aggravating health. With additional options available such as movable walls, Murphy Beds, radiant heat flooring, you can truly customize your Homestead.
Looking to the Future with Off Site Construction
It’s more than time that homes be constructed with health and sustainability in mind. With Phoenix Haus, general contractors can avoid construction delays and overbudgeting, while homeowners save exponentially on energy costs. Phoenix Haus is constructing the future of pre-fabricated homes in the US, bringing a once niche construction industry into the mainstream.
