PATH's Demonstration Sites promote the use of new technologies that will increase the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America's housing. These technologies are promoted because they are not generally accepted or understood. PATH works with innovative builders to integrate selected technologies into a demonstration home's design; measure the cost of incorporating the technologies; evaluate how well technologies are accepted by builders, construction trade groups, and homeowners; and assess the technologies' performance.

Most of the technologies on Demonstration Sites have already gone through Field Evaluations, or information on their performance is available from other sources. PATH supports the technologies and their manufacturers, as well as the housing projects and their contractors, through large-scale press events, media coverage, and technical documentation.

Click on any of the locations below for a brief description of current projects, or click here to access the information using a map.

Site Demonstrations:

Arizona - Tucson
J.W. Miller Companies: Evaluation focuses on solar technologies, including solar water heaters with tankless water heater backup, photovoltaic roof panels, and thermal mass wall construction to modify peak electric demand.

Arizona - Tucson
National Pilot - Civano: Homes use 50% less energy for heating and cooling than a typical new home of the same size. Civano builders offer alternative materials and construction methods, including steel framing, RASTRA, and thermal mass (masonry and adobe) construction. Other features include solar hot water and reclaimed water for landscaping.

California - San Francisco
Citizens Housing Corporation's Folsom/Dore Apartments: PATH provided resources for deconstruction outfits, references for model spec language on reduction/recycling of construction waste, recommendations on the mechanical system and domestic water heating, information on low or no-VOC paints, alternatives to conventional particle board and VCT flooring, and information on slag concrete. The project is seeking a LEED rating.

Colorado - Denver
Oakwood Homes, Green Valley Ranch: Information gathered by the NAHB Research Center and the builder during a field evaluation included construction techniques; costs of labor; materials; and regulatory compliance; thermal performance; energy efficiency; durability; maintenance requirements; and home-buyer reaction.

Connecticut - Danbury
New Era Building Systems: PATH is providing design and technical assistance to manufacturer, New Era Building Systems of Strattanville, Pennsylvania, to develop a completely new concept in energy- and resource-efficient manufactured housing.

Connecticut - New Haven
Eaton Row: PATH is partnering with the Housing Authority of the City of New Haven and a subsidiary of Jonathan Rose LLC, The Affordable Housing Development Corporation, to build the final phase of the Eaton Row HOPE VI Revitalization, which will feature 30 affordable hybrid-modular homes at market-rate that will be sold to first-time homebuyers.

Washington, D.C.
Takoma Village Cohousing Project: PATH provided technical assistance throughout design, development, and construction; researched and selected green building materials and systems; performed energy analyses; and provided logistical support to the design team and owners' group representatives. PATH evaluated multiple technologies, including geothermal heating and cooling, blown-in cellulose insulation, solar hot water systems, fiber cement siding, ductwork in conditioned space, and optimum value engineering.

Washington, D.C.
University Place Cooperative: This remodeling/rehab project includes 15 units that will optimize HVAC performance and energy conservation, and educate local subcontractors about new materials and construction methods.

Florida - Melbourne
Mercedes Homes/FEMA: This project focuses on making poured concrete homes more resistant to hurricane-force winds. A "package" of strategies will be developed that provide the best investment for hazard mitigation, offered as a way to reduce insurance premiums through leading Florida underwriters.

Florida - Miami
HOPE VI: For this project, PATH has considered recycled demolition waste; limited use of materials and products with high embodied energy; recycled content; locally produced materials and products; low- or no-VOC content materials; water-conserving products; 50% reduction of the energy use allowed under the current code; storm water management; and alternative energy sources.

Maryland - Baltimore
Habitat for Humanity: This rehab project optimized HVAC performance and energy conservation through sustainable design, Optimum Value Engineered framing, engineered wood, high-efficiency furnaces, and ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.

Massachusetts - Holyoke
Churchill Homes: For this project, PATH assisted with the design and construction of energy- and resource- efficient townhouses and flats. PATH evaluated technologies, systems, and construction practices, including optimum value engineered framing, insulated headers at tops of windows and doors, insulated concrete forms, drywall clips and stops, pre-finished drywall corners, and humidity-sensing ventilation control systems.

New Hampshire - Barrington Hills
New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (NHCLD): PATH is assisting the NHCLD in designing a 44-lot, HUD-Code land-lease community that balances high standards of environmental responsibility and construction with a very tight budget.

New Jersey
Sustainable Development/Affordable Housing Pilot, New Jersey: PATH provided technical support for advancing technology innovation as part of a state program that promotes sustainable development for affordable, energy-efficient housing. Services included materials research and selection, energy analysis, logistical support during design and construction, and management of a volume-purchase bidding process.

New Jersey - Paterson
Better Home, Better Planet Showhouse: This infill project will demonstrate many PATH technologies, including structural insulated panels, insulated concrete forms, radiant floor heating, and solar panels. Located on an empty lot in an existing neighborhood in Paterson, the project consists of a single-family home that will be fully accessible to the home's quadriplegic resident.

New York - New York City
Habitat for Humanity New York City (HfHNYC): Three current projects in process, co-funded by PATH, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, and HfHNYC. Goal is to achieve an ENERGY STAR ^® rating. PATH is providing engineering feasibility and technical assistance for building and occupant energy use, indoor/outdoor lighting, the building envelope, mechanical ventilation systems, Energy Management Systems, and heating/cooling/domestic hot water distribution systems.

New York - Warwick
Warwick Grove: The New urbanist design of this 220-unit, active adult community emphasizes walkable neighborhoods. PATH recommendations include leaving crawl spaces unvented and insulating the crawl space walls rather than the floor. This will place the HVAC equipment within a semi-conditioned space.

New York - Yonkers
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester: A wide range of PATH-evaluated technologies and delivery methodologies will be explored for use in six homes. These technologies and methodologies include insulated form systems, structural insulated panels, high-performance windows, drywall clips and stops, and pre-finished drywall corners. All technologies will be optimum value engineered through a systems approach.

New York - Yonkers II
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester (HfHW): The HfHW has teamed with PATH and the Altus Group, a partnership of major national concrete precasters, to develop six duplex homes. A wide range of PATH-evaluated technologies and delivery methodologies were explored for use, including insulated form systems; structural insulated panels; high-performance windows; drywall clips and stops; and pre-finished drywall corners. All technologies were optimum value engineered through a systems approach.

Oklahoma - Mannford
The Lake Country project consists of 120 single-family, detached modular residences with site-built garages and porches. PATH performed plans/specifications review; conducted an energy analysis; made equipment, product, and material recommendations; and assisted with cost estimation, value engineering and bid review. During construction, PATH will assist with construction supervision, testing and monitoring.

Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
Habitat for Humanity: PATH worked with Habitat for Humanity to optimize the HVAC performance of this home, conserve energy through sustainable design, incorporate PATH technologies and other environmentally friendly building materials, and ensure energy- and resource-efficient construction practices.

Texas - Brownsville
Cameron Park Colonia: PATH redesigned framing for standard home design of the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, Texas, reducing the need for a substantial amount of lumber while still meeting the International Residential Code in force throughout Texas.

Texas - San Antonio
Highland Hills Cottage Development: This project will encompass 26 unique affordable houses and cottages on a vacant five-acre lot. The homes will feature architecturally and technically innovative inner city cottages built with many PATH-evaluated technologies. Solar water heating and the possible use of photovoltaics for common and area lighting are combined with structural insulated panels for energy efficiency.

Content updated on 4/6/2005