A home builder in Mexico, Mo., is constructing what may be the "home of the future," not the kind with all sorts of sophisticated wiring and gadgetry - though some of that may come later, but the kind that tries to use all the available technologies in a dwelling that will raise energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs without substantially increasing the price of the home.

David Hopke, a 20-year builder and head of Hopke Buildings and Grounds, is working with the NAHB Research Center to assemble the best-of-breed technologies into a single home.

"In the past, pieces of technology have been used here and there in new homes, but to the best of my knowledge this is the first time we (the Research Center) have tried to put all the pieces together," said Hopke.

The project is called "MADE to Last:" M for marketable; A for affordable; D for durable, and, E for entry-level home.

The 1,800 square foot house, when finished out with a two-car garage, will be priced at a market-competitive $150,000, although it already has been appraised for more than $35,000 above that. Hopke estimates that cost of construction was about 8 to 10 percent higher than the typical, stick-built home. It also takes a little longer to build, he said.

The house includes light gauge steel floor and roof framing connected to insulating concrete form (ICF) walls. It has vinyl siding and includes a fresh air pump because the house is so tight that air flow is minimal.

When completed, one and half stories will be finished. It also has another 1,000 square feet of finishable space in the basement and the attic also is accessible and finishable.

Inside the home, perhaps the most noticeable difference the lack of partitions and there is very little hallway space in the design. Also, because the steel and concrete, there is there very little noise.

"Even when we were building it that was one of the most surprising things," Hopke said. "I think it's one of the quietest homes I've ever been in."

It's also one of the most energy efficient.

Hopke said typical heating and cooling costs for such a home are just above $100 per month in that part of the country, but the monthly cost for the MADE home is $35 per month - barring utility price increases.

"The manufacturer (of the ICF blocks) looked the design and signed a contract that it would reduce energy costs by about 70 percent," Hopke said.

The house uses electric heat until the temperature drops to 32 degrees, then automatically switches to LP gas. When the temperature goes back above freezing, it automatically switches back to electricity.

The exterior design of the home is original, but the house would blend in in most neighborhoods.

Hopke said he currently is under contract to finish four more of the energy efficient homes.

Published: August 9, 2000

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