Shaping the Future of Sustainable Homebuilding Through Housing Innovation
U.S. Department of Energy recognizes last year’s top builders for innovation in Zero Energy Ready Homes
By Jaime Van Mourik
Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners of the prestigious 2024 Housing Innovation Awards (HIA), recognizing the nation’s most innovative builders who are leading the charge in sustainable, energy-efficient residential construction. As part of the DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program, the awards highlight builders who are advancing the achievement of high performance in new home construction.
This year, 24 builders from across the United States were selected as HIA winners for their exceptional achievements. From this pool of winners, five Grand Awards were presented for outstanding contributions in specific categories, demonstrating the diversity of innovation in today’s sustainable homebuilding industry.
These builders are at the forefront of a movement to future-proof new home construction, contributing to the DOE’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in all new homes by 2035.”
Grand Award: Blazing the Trail
Winner: Spring Valley Passive House, Daniel Colombini (Ossining, N.Y.)
This Grand Award recognizes the most innovative use of technologies, materials, sensors, automation and advanced controls. The house exemplifies the future of sustainable homebuilding and a deep understanding of building science to optimize home performance. Colombini’s work integrates automation systems and advanced materials to create homes that are not only energy-efficient but also adaptable to the needs of future homeowners.
Grand Award: Change Maker
Winner: Westbrooke Infill, Addison Homes (Powdersville, S.C.)
The Change Maker Grand Award celebrates the builder who demonstrates a successful strategy to transform the housing market. Addison Homes, with their Westbrooke Infill project, has promoted the adoption of ZERH at the local and regional levels, creating a ripple effect that is inspiring other builders to follow suit. Westbrook Infill’s design showcases the sustainable practices and energy efficiency that has helped redefine the market for high-performance homes, as well as making ZERH-certified homes more accessible to the public.
Grand Award: Decarbon Copy
Winner: Lynden Powerhouse, TC Legend Homes (Lynden, Wash.)
The Decarbon Copy Grand Award honors the builder whose approach to decarbonization is not only innovative but also highly replicable and predictable in results. This year, the Lynden Powerhouse project achieved significant carbon reductions by using renewable energy systems, electrification and advanced building science.
Grand Award: Off-the-Shelf
Winner: Duke Street Cottage, Howard Building Science (Granite Falls, N.C.)
This Grand Award recognizes the builder who best leveraged readily available, off-the-shelf materials and systems to achieve advanced building science results. Using widely available products and implementing proven best practices, Howard Building Science created a highly efficient home that performs at a superior level, making it clear that sustainability can be achieved with standard resources.
Grand Award: Total Package
Winner: The E-PWR Volt Townhome, Thrive Home Builders (Denver, Colo.)
Thrive Home Builders’ E-PWR Volt Townhome took home the coveted Total Package Grand Award, which recognizes the builder with the highest average score across all award categories. Thrive Home Builders has set an exceptional, ZERH standard by consistently excelling in energy efficiency, sustainability and innovative home design. The E-PWR Volt Townhome seamlessly integrates advanced technologies, smart controls and renewable energy systems.
Most Certified Homes
Winner: Beazer Homes (Atlanta, Ga.)
The Most Certified Homes award, which honors the builder with the most ZERH certifications in the year, was awarded to Beazer Homes of Atlanta, Georgia. Beazer has committed to 100% ZERH, and has been a consistent leader in building high-performance homes, with a large volume of homes earning ZERH certification. Their dedication to high-quality construction and energy-efficient solutions has made them a key player in the nationwide movement toward more sustainable housing.
A Growing Movement Towards Sustainable Homebuilding
The Housing Innovation Awards provide a spotlight on builders who are going above and beyond in creating homes that not only address current energy efficiency and sustainability needs but also anticipate the future demands of resiliency, energy security, and human health. These builders are at the forefront of a movement to future-proof new home construction, contributing to the DOE’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in all new homes by 2035, along with advancing these technologies with a stronger, skilled workforce that aligns with current administration goals.
Learn more about the Housing Innovation Awards and the DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program.
Jaime Van Mourik, Associate AIA, LEED AP, is the director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, also serving as the Zero Energy Design Designation lead for the DOE Building Technologies Office.
