Salt River Zeros In On Concrete Habitat Home

Attendees of the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Phoenix had the opportunity to visit Arizona’s first concrete Habitat for Humanity

Steven Prokopy

Attendees of the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Phoenix had the opportunity to visit Arizona’s first concrete Habitat for Humanity home, an affordable Net Zero dwelling the U.S. Green Building Council selected for its Contemporary Desert Living Tour following the Nov. 11-13 event.

Since the project’s key construction materials sponsor, Salt River Materials Group of Scottsdale, Ariz., does not operate a ready mixed plant, the company reached out to its customer base and provided a handful of producers Û including Arizona Materials, Ft. McDowell Yavapai Materials, Hanson, Maricopa Ready Mix, ReadyMix Inc., and Vulcan Materials Û with cement, fly ash, and, in some cases, recycled aggregate from its Clarksdale, Ariz., plant to supply mixes following Salt River’s specifications. All totaled, approximately 72 yd. of material were donated for the home.

Among the project’s green features are post-tensioned slabs and above-grade walls constructed with a HercuWall system of EPS foam and reinforced concrete, placed by The Wall Company of Phoenix; a pervious concrete driveway supplied by Hanson Aggregates and installed by Progressive Concrete Works, also of Phoenix; decorative patio work by Excalibur Designs in Concrete, Glendale, Ariz.; roof tiles from Phoenix-based Eagle Roofing Products Southwest, providing a solar reflectance index of 99; block wall produced by Top Quality Masonry Co., Phoenix; and, Southwest Architectural Casting concrete countertops.

In conjunction with attic insulation and energy-efficient windows and doors, the thermal building envelope stands to reduce utility costs by 40 to 60 percent, thus allowing the home to reach the coveted Net Zero energy designation.

Topping off tours of the Habitat home Û located about three miles from the Phoenix Convention Center, base of the Greenbuild Expo Û was recognition of the job’s LEED for Homes Platinum status. USGBC Founding Chairman, President & CEO Richard Fedrizzi presented Habitat staff a plaque for the project, whose score of 114 well exceeded the required 80 points for the designation. Keys to the 1,300-sq.-ft. home were turned over at a homeowner dedication ceremony one week after Greenbuild. More information on the Habitat home is available at the Habitat for Humanity-Central Arizona website.