Santa Fe Students Build ‘Tiny’ Homes to Test Energy Efficiency Codes

To benefit the community and provide students hands-on construction experience, the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association (SFAHBA) recently completed the Northern New Mexico Ice Box Challenge. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity and YouthWorks, a local nonprofit providing work-based learning opportunities, the group constructed three fully functioning 18.5-by-8.5-foot “tiny” homes to demonstrate how different building standards affect energy efficiency.

The project involved about 36 students from Santa Fe’s Early College Opportunities (ECO) High School, a career and technical education center where students learn welding, construction and other trades, and Habitat for Humanity college volunteers. Working alongside industry professionals, the students installed floor joists, framed walls, assembled roofs and more to gain practical building experience in a real-life setting.

“We demystified what it takes to build a house,” said Miles Conway, executive officer of the SFAHBA. “They know how to handle a screw gun and a saw, and we gave them more experience.”

Modeled after a European competition, the homes were built to different standards: 1950s code, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and Passive House standards. Each was filled with 600 pounds of ice and set in the sun for an August weekend, with internal temperatures and ice content monitored over several days. The Passive House standard eventually proved best, as it stayed the coolest and kept ice the longest.

Beginning in February, students worked about 10 hours a week with SFAHBA member volunteers and the EOC High School construction teacher. More than a dozen SFAHBA members contributed time and expertise to the project, and many companies donated materials, including lumber, windows, doors and plumbing supplies.

Planning for the project began four years ago by Conway and longtime SFAHBA member Tom Treece. Conway said they initially considered building birdhouses with elementary schoolers before opting for a larger project with high schoolers.

“We wanted to get a structured program going so kids could see a set of plans and how those plans turn into reality,” Treece said. “You can do so many different things if you have even the slightest bit of construction knowledge.”

This project continued SFAHBA’s community engagement initiatives, including its 11-year LEGO building contest that has involved hundreds of students. Recognizing another critical local need, the tiny homes will be donated to the Esperanza Shelter, a local domestic violence shelter, once fully complete.

“We’re doing something very tangible and real in the community,” Conway said. “And it was only our first year. It’s laid the groundwork for the future.”

The homes are currently on display outside the New Mexico State Capitol, where SFAHBA members led local sixth graders on a tour to spark interest in the industry. Conway said plans are already underway for next year, including building with natural and sustainable materials to further test energy performance. SFAHBA is also exploring how to revive a past program where Santa Fe high school students partnered with SFAHBA to build homes for teachers.

“If you want the youth of your community invested in the future of your community, have them build it,” Conway said.