Energy-Conscious Homes Use Light Steel Frames

BONE Structure homes use a patented light-steel frame building technology.

SAN FRANCISCO— BONE Structure is a scalable solution to meet California’s 2020 Net Zero Energy new home building requirements, using technology that combines aesthetics, flexibility, efficiency and respect for the environment. The designer and builder of luxury custom homes uses a patented light-steel frame building technology and integrated process. Founded in Laval, Quebec, by president Marc A. Bovet in 2005 after a frustrating construction experience, BONE Structure has been patented in 42 countries. And now, it is launching its first US office in San Francisco. “We have been building houses the same way for 400 years. The cost keeps going up and the quality down,” Bovet says. “A BONE Structure custom home is one that is healthy and energy efficient.” With a background in retail and advertising, Bovet was part of the management team at Bombardier , an aerospace and transportation manufacturer, for many years. His experience and observations led to the idea of applying the same assembly technologies to home construction. Bovet tells GlobeSt.com: “A BONE Structure may be assembled in days but the results are built to last generations. Precision and speed do not need to compromise efficiency and originality. BONE Structure has developed and patented an ingenious lightweight steel structure construction technology to design, manufacture and assemble residential and light commercial buildings with near zero waste, more efficiently and without compromising architectural creativity.” Charles Bovet , vice president of business development at BONE Structure, will lead the company’s American expansion. Bovet received a master of science degree in civil and environmental engineering and construction in 2013 from Stanford University. Following Stanford, he looked to his graduating class to build a multidisciplinary team with the idea of disrupting the housing industry. “California was an obvious choice for our first US location,” said Charles Bovet.  “It is the home of innovation and the birthplace of world-changing smart technologies. Similarly, BONE Structure is world-changing smart technology for the building industry. We believe that the process of building a custom home should be exciting, simple and transparent, and we refuse to conform to the old adage:  ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” Architects have greater flexibility with the BONE Structure system. Due to the strength of its steel parts, homes can have a very large open plan interior space and double height ceilings, allowing for natural light throughout and future reconfiguration as needed. The homes’ shell produces near zero waste, is made of 89% recycled steel and is 100% recyclable, seismically resilient and safe from damage by termites and mold. “We have developed a building system that makes it possible to build energy-efficient homes at scale,” said Charles Bovet. “Our plan is to bring the cost of our building technology down from the high-end custom home to a mid-priced custom option, to an affordable, beautiful, desirable, healthy, comfortable, energy efficient home for the masses. Our shells are net-zero ready, meaning they are extremely energy efficient, and with the addition of a small solar system they can produce more energy than they consume.” Each custom home is designed for assembly using a battery-powered drill and one  type of self-tapping screw, thereby allowing a significant reduction in labor hours. The set of laser-cut steel components include pre planned, ready-made “highways” to accommodate building systems: plumbing, electrical, and heating ventilation and air conditioning. This avoids any potential clashes between the various trade workers on the jobsite. Precut insulation panels clip into place between the steel columns and soya-based polyurethane foam insulation is sprayed on the exterior that tightly seals the building and acts as a vapor barrier. Together, the steel structure, insulation panels, spray insulation and the roof create a tight, energy-efficient envelope. BONE Structure has already contracted to build a new home in Palo Alto, CA and another 15 residences in the Bay Area and Southern California.  The company expects to build 50 new homes in California in 2016 and has manufacturing resources and ability to produce 1,000 residences per year. There are currently more than 250 BONE Structure custom homes in Canada.