"House to be Built in Five Days"

One of the hottest new shows on television this fall is a live mini-series about a needy family of five who, through hard work and the determination of family members, friends and volunteers, finally realize the American Dream.

Yonkers N.Y. single-mom Michelle Hayes and her four daughters star in a week-long saga of sweat equity, emerging technologies and hope for affordable housing.

With a supporting cast of professional builders, craftsman and construction experts from around the nation, the mini-series includes the insightful narration of craftsman Bob Vila, a new home's best friend.

Beginning Nov. 16, CBS's This Morning will air a unique Habitat for Humanity house-raising event that will continue live each day for five days until Nov. 20 when the final nail is driven home.

From pouring the foundation to fastening down the roof on this special home, millions of television viewers can expect a happy ending as they watch the Hayes' family dream become virtual realty.

"What better thing to talk about just before Thanksgiving than getting a home?" says Jim Killoran, president of the Westchester County, N.Y. Habitat for Humanity.

CBS plans to open a special Web page for the event a week before the show airs and continue its Web-based multimedia coverage of the event weeks after the show airs.

The network's coverage will likewise showcase emerging home construction technologies and document how they provide faster, more affordable and energy efficient housing alternatives. It will also focus on quality home building techniques while correspondent Vila provides helpful tips for consumers buying or building a house.

"By using these proven technologies in this demonstration, our Habitat family is receiving a high-quality, energy-efficient home and viewers will be introduced to the future of new home construction," said Killoran.

The home is constructed with the Habitat award-winning design of

To view a large sketch of the home, Click Here.

Orlando, FL architect, Ed Binkley, vice president of architecture at the Evans Group. Submitted as part of a national design competition developed by residential architect magazine, Binkley's assignment was to take only 1,200 square feet and design in components a needy family with little furniture could use. Features include a dining room booth, TV and entertainment system alcove, built in bunk beds and other built-in features.

Binkley's wife, Sherri, is pitching in on the color schemes for walls, flooring, counter tops, exterior and trim.

"My primary motivation to enter the competition was based on a desire to design an affordable home which was simple to construct and offered unexpected amenities," said Binkley.

With the Tacoma, WA-based Engineered Wood Association as project manager, the home is Energy Star-rated for energy efficiency techniques used throughout.

The Hayes' new home will also be one of the first PATH (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing), demonstration projects built since President Clinton last spring announced the public-private partnership. PATH was created to promulgate the use of technologies that make homes stronger, safer and more durable, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, easier to maintain and less costly to operate, all while being more comfortable and fun to live in.

For example, Premier Building Systems already has been busy preconstructing the Hayes home with their SIP (structural insulated panel) system inside their Fife, WA manufacturing facility. The home will be disassembled and trucked to Yonkers, NY where it will be reassembled in five days, on air.

"We have never built a structure this large inside our plant," said Steve Thompson, a Premier location manager. "The ceilings are about 30 feet, so this is a real challenge for us."

Additional built-in technologies from PATH participants include photovoltaic roofing, information-age wiring (a single cable for telephone, cable TV, and high speed modem Net access), a high-efficiency condensing boiler for hot water and heat, recycled carpeting, a ventilating/exhaust system, low-flow plumbing and a host of others.

"We are extremely grateful to the various partners, for shining a national spotlight on Habitat for Humanity and our mission to lend a helping hand to those in need," Killoran said.

"Amen," say the Hayes.

Published: October 30, 1998

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