The eighth annual Structural Insulated Panel Association Building Excellence Awards selected winners in six categories, showcasing the versatility of SIPs as well as the creativity of those who build with them.
Structural insulated panels are gaining in acceptance, mainly because builders and consumers are learning. SIPA bills the products of its members as “the 21st century building material.” SIPs, of course, boasts a time-saving building method for contractors and impressive energy-efficient capabilities for the consumer.
Judging criteria
The criteria employed by the judges for the eighth annual SIPA Building Excellence Awards were as follows:
- Energy efficiency to be proven with HERS Index or other substantiating method
- Design and structural engineering innovation
- Other SIPs-related factors that contributed to the success of the project
Categories: Single Family Homes, Under 3,000 square feet; Single Family Homes Over 3,000 square feet; Institutional/Industrial/Commercial; Multi-Family Commercial Buildings; Agricultural; and Renovations.
The judges were Kristine Anderson, Petersen/Keller Architects; Bill Chaleff, Chaleff & Rogers; Jeff Christian, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Alex Lukachko, Building Science Corporation.
Sampson Family Home, Ferrier Custom Homes
Features:
• HERS Index 47
• 4.5-inch SIPs walls and 8.25-inch SIPs roof
• LEED-H Platinum
• Passive solar design
Why the judges like it:
• Extensive cost-benefit analysis conducted to select energy efficient technologies
• Well-integrated, whole-building design approach
• Careful site orientation and climate-specific passive solar design
Overall Competition runner-up:
Kenilworth Bungalow, Domain Architecture & Design
and Panelworks Plus, Inc.
 |  |
Features:
• HERS Index 49
• 6.5-inch SIPs walls and 10.5-inch SIPs roof
• LEED-H Platinum
• Diverted 67 percent construction waste
• 3 rain gardens
Why the judges like it:
• Well-executed design strategy
• Repeatability, potential for use in urban infill sites
• Extremely resourceful and energy-efficient materials
Sarann Knight Apartments, Premier Building Systems
Features:
• 4 stories, 82 units
• Installed in just 80 days
• Heating and cooling costs reduced by 60 percent
Why the judges like it:
• Speed of construction
• Innovative use of SIPs and engineering
Agricultural
VanGelder Farm Shop, Energy Panel Structures
Features:
• 4 stories, 82 units
• 18 feet tall, 8 inches thick plywood-faced SIPs walls
• Radiant heating with modulating boiler
Why the judges like it:
• Simple, repeatable design
• Significant energy savings over typical agricultural shop construction
and Overall Competition winner
Jacob E. Manch Elementary,
Premier Building Systems, Shell Building Systems, SSA Architecture
Features:
• High performance school with 50 percent reduction in energy use over typical district schools
• 100 percent daylighting
• Sound reduction measures to mitigate noise from nearby air base
Why the judges like it:
• Innovative use of SIPs, design & engineering
• Used SIPs construction to meet tight budget constraints
• Opening new markets for SIPs construction
Kelly’s 1862 Timber Frame, GreenTech Construction
 |  |
Features:
• HERS 40
• 6-inch SIPs walls, 8-inch SIPs roof
• 1862 timber frame house that was dismantled, moved 15 miles & re-erected on a new foundation
Why the judges like it:
• Unique use of SIPs to supplement antique timber frame
• Energy efficient
Brandt/Schaller Eco Home, Timberline Panel Company, LLC
Features:
• HERS Index 4
• 6.5-inch SIPs walls and 10.25-inch SIPs roof
• Salvaged wood, door, cabinetry
• Passive and active solar design
Why the judges like it:
• Cost-effective net zero energy design
Julkowski Family Home
Julkowski, Inc., and Extreme Panel Technologies
Silverwood Visitor’s Center
Panel Setters Plus and Extreme Panel Technologies
