New Orleans Model Home Introduces New Era in Sustainable and Hurricane Resistant Construction

The “Sunshower SSIP House” New Orleans’ model home designed by REOSE Sustainable Design Competition winners architects Judith Kinnard and Tiffany Lin opens demonstrating the latest in green design.

A new era in green and durable construction will be unveiled in New Orleans on Wednesday, March 21^st. The completion of this award-winning REOSE Sunshower SSIP model is a milestone in sustainable technology and construction. The completed home, designed by Tulane University professors of architecture, Judith Kinnard and Tiffany Lin, can withstand extreme weather conditions, including hurricane-force winds and incorporates the latest energy-efficient and water-saving technologies. The home located at 222 Harrison Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood has an innovative look and incorporates the latest in durable materials and efficient design concepts for a highly integrated housing model that is an ideal solution for mass global housing needs and emergency disaster relief response.

The planning, production, and future of this project is the combined efforts of four leading New Orleans companies including Oceansafe, Woodward Design+Build, C&G Construction, and the Regen Group. Each sponsoring company represents a key role in the process, from engineering to community planning, effectively approaching housing from start to finish.

REOSE will showcase the home and provide an overview of its unique first-of-its-kind features, materials and technologies on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Architects, engineers, contractors and the over 60 vendors (Link to Participating Vendors) involved with the project will be recognized for their donations and contributions. Demonstrations of materials and equipment, customized and other informational activities will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with a special presentation at 11:30 am.

According to Vincent Basilice, CEO of Oceansafe, “The Sunshower SSIP model home is a remarkable example of cooperation and advances that have been made in green building. The companies that participated in this project are to be commended for their commitment to sustainability. The ‘Sunshower’ is an attractive home; its design is smart and functional in terms of energy efficiency and ability to weather the toughest storms and adverse environmental conditions. Now that the model has been completed, we can truly appreciate the winning design that was submitted in the 2010 REOSE Sustainable Design Competition. We can all take pride in the strides made in sustainable building that this structure represents.”

Demonstrations during the Wednesday, March 21^stmedia day event will showcase the hurricane resistant and energy efficient qualities of the building envelope, as well as sustainable aspects including solar and rainwater collection equipment utilized in the home. Guided tours by the architects, builders and vendors will be available to demonstrate the unique qualities of this first-of-its-kind home. Product displays, photo-slideshows, and material samples will be available for the media and visitors. Over the next several months international, national and local government officials, green building organizations, and educational institutes will have the opportunity to tour Sunshower SSIP model. These officials will not only be viewing the high performance sustainable technology of the home, but will have the opportunity to meet with the entire team, including the vendors.

The Sunshower SSIP model uses only readily available and standard building materials that fit into a single cargo container. The kit includes all the materials required to achieve a safe, healthy, comfortable and enduring level of building performance, while meeting all of its energy and water needs even in extreme environments. The REOSE containerized kit concept is an ideal solution for mass global housing needs and emergency disaster relief response; using a sincere approach to producing a practical, economical, and attainable option for the housing marketplace.

For more information about this historic “Green” home building project, its history, new videos and photos and information about participating vendors visit:

To download the PDF of this Press Release click below.

Grand Opening Press Release Sunshower_03-16-12.