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Rhode Island 2016

The 2016 FHB House is energy-smart, connected, healthy, and durable. It’s small and sensible. Most of all, it’s a valuable model home, meant to educate designers and builders who aspire to create high-performance houses that are exceptional in their quality, comfort, and style.

NESEA FHB House ProTour

Over 80 people attended the NESEA FHB House Pro Tour

By Mike Guertin

NESEA (the NorthEast Sustainable Energy Association) hosted a Pro Tour of the FHB House on March 31. The FHB House was the first of over a dozen half-day Pro Tours NESEA has on their 2017 schedule.   IMG_0558The event started at an off-site meeting room where the 80 to 90 attendees networked, visited vendor exhibits and listened to FHB House designer Mike Maines and me discuss the design and construction details that went into the house from excavation, foundation and framing through insulation, air sealing and mechanicals.

 

 

 

At the house the attendees were broken into 3 groups and assigned to small discussions and Q&A on each floor level — Basement, First, and Second.IMG_0566

Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink led the basement tours addressing the Amvic ICF foundation, wall framing, and insulation and floor framing with TJI Flak Jacket coated joists as well as the Zehnder ERV and Mitsubishi H/AC system.

 

Podcast46NESEA3

Mike Maines and I led the first floor tours. Mike got deeper into the design considerations like site planning and interior space layout. And we answered lots of questions.

Fine Homebuilding contributing editor and FHB House sponsorship coordinator Sean Groom staffed the second floor, where he discussed sound control, the garage attic / bonus room, bathroom fixtures and the Mitsubishi ducted system.

The three groups switched floors every 30 minutes. When the site tour was done, we jumped back on buses and headed back to the meeting space, where we concluded with about 45 minutes of questions.

Click here for more photos of this event and a podcast conversation with FHB House designer Mike Maines.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Not So Big House

This book earned author Sarah Susanka a reputation as a small house guru, yet, that wasn’t exactly her goal. This book isn’t about building a small house, it’s about building a smart house, one that matches how we live, and prioritizing beauty and comfort over size.
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Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave

Joanna Gaines may have started as a celebrity designer on HGTV, but she’s proven to be the real deal. This book help you understand how and why good design works so that you can recreate it on your own.
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Musings of an Energy Nerd: Toward an Energy-Efficient Home

Fine Homebuilding readers know Martin Holladay well and love his practical, cost-effective approach to energy-efficiency and green building. In this book, he walks you through every step of planning an energy-smart home that is healthy, durable, and comfortable.
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Rhode Island 2016 Videos

Navigate the Build

  • Introduction
  • Foundation
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  • Insulation
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