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FHB House is energy-smart, connected, healthy and durable. It's small and sensible. Most of all, it’s the industry's most powerful home for educating designers and builders who aspire to create high-performance houses that are exceptional in their quality, comfort and style.

Join us for California 2018

Follow along as Mela Breen and David Good of Atmosphere Design Build build a net-zero energy, high-performance house that will meet the goals of the California 2020 initiative and comply with the most progressing energy code in the country.

California 2018 Videos

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FHB House Video: Introducing California 2018

The 2018 Fine Homebuilding House takes on some of the country’s most demanding zero-net-energy codes.
FHB House 2017: Design

The modified Cape / Farmhouse look fits the neighborhood, appealing to scale-downers and young families.
FHB House 2017: Mechanicals

From minisplits to radiant heat, the 2017 FHB House mechanicals demonstrate reasonably priced principles of efficient design.

California 2018 Features

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An Easier Way to Drill Rock

The dirtbag Is your friend.
The Ultimate Modern Home

California 2018: High design and high performance in the Sierra foothills.
Efficient, Strong Framing

California 2018: A powerful emphasis on advanced framing techniques for a passive house.

Start With a Steel Deck

Atop the foundation of steel and concrete is a metal pan deck supporting a 4-in. poured-concrete slab.
Moving Bedrock: The Egg Drop

If we can't dig it out, we've got to break it up somehow.
What is California 2020?

The Golden State's Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, explained.