Building for the Future
As sustainable design practices and environmental stewardship become increasingly important in today’s market, REHAU is already engineering smart, integrated solutions for residential and commercial building to meet these needs.The following projects demonstrate clearly that REHAU’s construction products add value and reduce cost when used as a total system. It’s not just about picking one or two energy efficient products, careful integration is fundamental to producing the best possible results.
The Peterson Project is a key example of this principle.
Keith Peterson is a senior research scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Library. When it came time to build his family home, Peterson decided to become his own general contractor and incorporate the principles of his scientific specialty—sustainable design—into the construction of his own house. He wanted to demonstrate that a sustainable home could be built with local tradesmen, using industry standard construction methods and budgets.
For the shell of the house, Peterson chose insulating concrete form (ICF) technology from AMVIC over standard frame construction. For most of the other critical elements, he chose REHAU. He recognized that the proven effectiveness of REHAU radiant floor heating would be even greater in the well-insulated environment of an ICF home that’s convection- and draft-free. And very little of the energy would be lost when REHAU’s high performance vinyl window and door designs were used. The harmonious relationship among these three products creates a highly sustainable system, and Peterson estimates a savings of 30 to 50 percent in heating costs.
Water purity is another important consideration when it comes to sustainability. Peterson chose REHAU’s RAUPEX pipe. To enhance the security and protection of his home, Peterson selected REHAU’s PEX residential fire protection system. This innovative solution combines sprinklers with the cold water plumbing to improve protection against injury, loss of life and property damage.
“All the components work together so well that the sum is much better than the individual parts,” said Peterson. “In combining all of these features—that is really where you start seeing the paybacks.”
2003 Pacific National Exposition Prize Home
Another example of a home that successfully integrates REHAU’s sustainable building products and practices is the 2003 Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Prize Home, which was given away lottery style at the PNE in Vancouver, British Columbia—a long-standing West Coast tradition.
The charming Colonial-style home built by Britco Structures is sized at more than 3,000 square feet. In cooperation with the Wolseley Mechanical Group and Euroline Windows, the 2003 PNE Prize Home’s architectural features exemplify the environmentally friendly design elements that are growing in importance.
This modular home includes a variety of REHAU construction products, addressing solutions such as energy efficiency, water conservation, comfort and security.
- Windows and doors
- PVC Gutters
- Radiant heating
- PEX Plumbing
- Fire protection
- Water service line
- Water reclamation
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www.rehau.com.sg: Construction > Overview > Building for the Future
© REHAU Pte Ltd. 2008
© REHAU Pte Ltd. 2008