FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Wisconsin 2021

Ian Schwandt and his wife Sara are building their own custom, high-performance house with a budget of $100 per sq. ft.. Their goal is to build a home that fits the site’s rural landscape with its exterior finishes, but also hints at the modern look of NYC loft apartments. This Passive House standard home was designed with an upside-down floor plan that makes the most of the sloped site’s topography and allows the living areas to have the benefit of vaulted ceilings. Follow along as Ian builds this home from the ground up.

  • A Kitchen Actually Built for a Cook

    Builder Ian Schwandt details the design decisions around their kitchen's scullery and how it flies in the face of the traditional kitchen triangle concept.

  • Ok, So How Much Does Building Your Own Home Cost?

    Detailed budgets and learning to adapt when needed is crucial, especially if you're a self-designer/builder like Ian Schwandt. Follow the cost-by-cost break down of FHB House WI and how $124.34 per sq. ft. was achieved.

  • Sponsored Content
    The Power of Automatic Standby Generators

    Learn how FHB House Wisconsin has been set up to prioritize backup power with a Champion 14kw home standby generator and load management modules.

  • Airtightness and High-Performance Building

    Builder Ian Schwandt recounts his education into high-performance building methods and how he applied those concepts to his own build of FHB House Wisconsin.

  • Sponsored Content
    Country Loft Boosts Performance With Resilient Mechanical System

    A high-performance building envelope and Mitsubishi Electric's ductless three-zone Zoned Comfort Solutions® system work together to provide comfort year-round.

  • Sponsored Content
    Understanding Ductless Multi-Split Heat Pumps

    Watch builder Ian Schwandt and Mitsubishi Electric senior manager Mike Schaefer discuss how a ductless multi-split system was the right fit for FHB House Wisconsin.

  • Build or Build Not, There is No Try

    There are always challenges to overcome in home building. Ian Schwandt reflects on how he adapted with changing timelines and cost challenges to successfully self-build an affordable high-performance home.

  • Airtight and Waterproof Window Installation

    In this episode of FHB House Wisconsin, builder Ian Schwandt shows how to flash a window opening for a high-performance home with a rainscreen under the siding.

  • The Self Design-Builder Pt. 3: With a Little Help From My Friends

    Builder Ian Schwandt reflects on how teamwork and collaboration has been an integral role in the success of FHB House Wisconsin.

  • Framing Interior Double-Stud Walls

    Learn how builder Ian Schwandt built and raised the double-stud walls on his custom high-performance home.

Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2
Next
Wisconsin 2021 Videos

Behind the Build

  • Newyork 2023
  • Kansas 2022
  • Wisconsin 2021
  • Nebraska 2021
  • Connecticut 2020
  • Kentucky 2019
  • California 2018
  • Vermont 2017
  • Rhode Island 2016
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Wisconsin 2021 Sponsors

  • Champion Power Equipment Logo
  • Mitsubishi Electric Heating and Air-Conditioning Logo
  • Schluter Systems Logo
  • Zip System Building Enclosures Logo

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in