Funding and Partnerships
The work by the Building Technologies program is made possible through generous funding from and partnerships with like-minded organizations. The following are some of the organizations that make this work possible:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the primary funder of the FAS Building Technologies Program. The DOE’s overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. The initial focus of this funding has been on composite materials that can substitute for conventional methods. Achieving the goal meant both reviewing data on alternative composite designs and connections, as well as constructing demonstration projects.
The Charles Pankow Foundation, founded by construction industry pioneer Charles Pankow in 2004, exists to provide the public with improved quality, efficiency, and value of buildings by advancing innovation in design and construction. FAS is working with the Pankow foundation to investigate the use of cementitious structural insulated panels in multi-story buildings. The principle goal of the project is to select a preferred design and deliver a complete design, ready to be employed on actual CSIP construction projects and for the rapid adoption by the building construction industry and its customers.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974, the Commission’s is responsible for promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building standards and developing energy technologies. The Commission's also oversees funding programs that support public interest energy research, and advance energy science and technology through research, development and demonstration. FAS works closely with the CEC and commissioner Art Rosenfeld to to improve energy systems that promote a strong economy and a healthy environment.
The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) works with FAS to advance and improve SIP technology, as well as to expand the impact of SIPs within the building industry.
Habitat for Humanity Mobile County is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHMC is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing as a matter of conscience and action. Habitat builds simple decent houses in partnership with people in need in the community. Through donations of time, materials and investment, Habitat houses are sold to families at no profit, financed with affordable no-interest loans. Habitat for Humanity is working with FAS to investigate alternative building solutions focusing on affordability, energy efficiency, and constructability.
The Citizen League for Environmental Action NOW (CLEAN), a community organization based in Houston, Texas, works to inform and educate citizens about environmental abuses, placing an emphasis on education and data collection. The organization is compirsed of prominent scientists, medical doctors, environmental specialists, concerned citizens and representatives from several environmental groups. CLEAN has teamed with FAS to demonstrate the use of structural insulated panel construction as part of a safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost efficient home.
The University of California Berkeley, led by Engineering Professor Khalid Mosalem have worked with FAS to conduct structural and seismic testing of composite materials and new technologies. Mosalem is heavily involved in optimizing SIP technology for seismic safety, and has provided his professional insights on research and demonstration projects.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) conducts research with the Building Technologies Program, performing material and engineering testing.
