Center for Housing Innovation, University of Oregon
Abstract
57 pagesThe research program, under the guidance of a steering committee composed of industry
and government representatives, focuses on three interdependent concerns -- energy
conservation, industrial process, and housing design. Building homes in a factory offers the
opportunity to increase energy efficiency through new materials and processes, and increase
the value of these homes by improving the quality of their construction. Housing design
strives to ensure that these technically advanced homes are marketable and will meet the needs
of the people who will live in them. Energy efficiency is the focus for the plan. Because
energy is viewed in the context of production and design, researchers will be able to solve
energy problems in a way that helps industry improve its product and compete with foreign
companies, alleviate the trade imbalance in construction products, increase the productivity of
the U.S. housing industry, and decrease both the cost of housing and the use of fossil fuels
that are expensive and damaging to the environment
