California’s New Building Codes

California’s New Building Codes Finally Catching up to Residential Steel Systems from 1950s Building Pioneers

California-based firm EcoSteel is leveraging the modern prefab housing movement with innovative building systems to meet zero net energy targets

The state of California has established an ambitious goal that by 2020, all new residential homes will meet zero net energy (ZNE) targets and produce at least as much energy as they consume. As builders and utilities scramble to find ways to meet the new zero net energy building codes in California, EcoSteel buildings have been meeting the targets from inception.

EcoSteel designs and builds, modern all steel and glass buildings that already meet California’s new ZNE requirements, and are the perfect solution for residential and commercial projects.

The California Energy Commission updates the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, or Title 24, of the California Building Standards Code every three years and is working to have the zero net energy measures built into the 2019 code cycle. “If a measure makes it into the code update, it has been shown to be cost effective and proved to be feasible in the marketplace,” says CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister. “The zero net energy building concept is a compelling one: one can greatly reduce the footprint of one’s home through smart design and the use of clean technologies!”

EcoSteel’s smart design can save residential builders time and money, while meeting California’s ZNE targets.

With a nod to 1950s building pioneers Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright and others who founded the modernist architecture movement, EcoSteel’s modern prefab homes feature cutting edge, contemporary designs that are durable and economical and offer unlimited design possibilities. Like the early building pioneers who utilized proven methods with steel and glass to design economical and efficient homes—including the iconic Case Study Homes which were experiments in modern, residential architecture—EcoSteel modern homes endure both for their style and their function. Sustainable materials like glass and steel provide a long-life cycle and are eco-friendly. Plus, they maintain exceptional energy performance, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs, while also meeting California’s zero net energy building code requirements. EcoSteel all steel and glass homes offer extraordinary views, bringing the outdoors in and providing an unparalleled connection to nature and the environment. Using a prefabricated and insulated system that eliminates the need for a host of traditional subcontractors, EcoSteel homes are also extremely cost-efficient, saving you both time and money.

Interested in how you can design and build your own unique and modern home that meets California’s energy efficiency goals?