About Earth Sheltered home manufacturer Formworks Building, Inc.
Formworks Building has been specializing in earth sheltered technology since 1979. The oil crisis in the 70's was the catalyst that set the company in motion. The idea for sustainable, affordable housing was the driving force behind the creation of the business. As the only system of its kind in the world, Formworks has been rigorously tested and analyzed for over 30 years by thousands of Formworks home owners, engineers, testing organizations and consumer publications. Formworks is one of the few systems in the world estimated to produce structures with a usable life span (without major maintenance) of more than one century.
Formworks has designed and built more earth sheltered, green roof homes than any other builder in the world. Our success is based on our system's ability to adapt to meet current building standards as well as consumer demands. Our designers and engineers are continuously evolving our building system to maintain the highest standards and best performance in the industry. Formworks' patented building system is designed to be built by anyone, anywhere in the world. No unique contractor skills or equipment is needed to construct a Formworks home. We separate ourselves from others in the industry. We are committed to each and every one of our projects from start to finish. Our staff assists home owners and their crews throughout the design planning and building processes.
The personal, economical and environmental advantages that our homes offer is vast and unmatched. Our homeowners have security from raging storms as well economic changes. Formworks homes have been exposed to tornadoes, hurricanes and wild fires. All with little or no damage.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), about 45% of your utility bill goes directly toward heating and cooling your home. Formworks owners are routinely paying 90% less than conventional home owners to heat and cool their homes. Here's an example to make it simple:
| Total annual energy bill | $3,600/year |
| 45% goes towards heating and cooling | x .45 |
| Total heating and cooling costs | $1,620/year |
| Formworks routinely saves 90% of heating/cooling | x .90 |
| Formworks savings each year | $1,458 |
| x $20 | |
| Added value of your Formworks home | $29,160.** |
Fill in your personal costs (in the gray boxes) for your home and do the math. What could you do with the extra money each year? Perhaps pay an additional mortgage payment or two; pay off that 30 year mortgage in half the time.
**Another study by the DOE and Urban Development states that a home's value rise an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual energy bills. Based on the numbers above, we just added $29,160 to the value of the home. How much did you add?
In addition to the added value, DOE reports that a home with energy efficiency is likely to sell in half the time. It is a bit more difficult to estimate the immense savings in maintenance costs these homes provide. Some have reported up to 800% less than conventional.
A home is most likely the biggest investment that a family will make. Our belief is that a home should create a safe place for the homeowner; both financially and physically. A Formworks home is less dependent on outside influences and is designed to work with natural elements of nature to create a comfortable lifestyle. We naturally utilize solar and geothermal properties without the immense and on going expense of the physical systems.
Everyone should live in a green roof home for a list of reasons. For many, that goal is out of their reach due to cost of "specialty construction" and building permit and code restrictions. Formworks has made this goal very accessible to the general home builder and Do-It-Your-Selfer. Our building system is so versatile that we can create beautiful, natural lit homes that many do not usually associate with an earth sheltered home. With all of the benefits at hand and building for the same dollar figure as conventional, the majority of new construction should be Formworks green roof construction.
Dale Pearcey, chief designer for Formworks Building , has served on the American Concrete Institute committees for Shotcrete and Thin-Shell and has been a certified energy rater for the Energy Star program. Formworks has received a number of citations and awards. Among them, a Governors Citation for the state of Colorado and an award for Energy Innovation issued by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Mr. Pearcey has extensive industry related background experience as a regional design engineer and production manager. He also directed quality control and building code compliance for manufactured/modular homes, including all phases of design and construction (structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems). Mr. Pearcey's experience and knowledge has been instrumental in making Formworks Building a success. The assistance we give our customer's is not limited to the structure itself, but encompasses a thorough insight of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other conventional building sub-systems. As a result, designs reflect complete, thoughtful and workable projects.
Please feel free to give us a call. We would be happy to discuss with you the possibilities for your specific project. We can help you with the initial design. Our very versatile structural/forming building system combined with our knowledge and experience can give you the best opportunity to realize and enjoy a custom design and lasting investment.
Some links we recommend:
The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings
http://www.usgbc.org/docs/news/news477.pdf
Green Living: The Rise of Green Roofs
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/rise-green-roofs
International Green Roof Association: Benefits of Green Roofs
http://www.igra-world.com/benefits/index.php
Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency (DSIRE)
http://www.dsireusa.org/
US Department of Energy: Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/70010.html
Formworks Home for sale:
http://www.cabelastrophyproperties.com/ViewDetail?id=60490
Shotcrete
http://www.pjsconcrete.com/index.htm
