A 'foam' sweet homeis going up
BY JOYCE SHELBY
William Zanders, l., and PolySteel owner Chris Pearson hang on a sign on the environmentally friendly condos they're helping the local Habitat for Humanity office build in Bed-Stuy.
-->Brooklyn condos made out of coffee cups? Who'da thunk it?
It may sound unlikely, but Habitat for Humanity of New York City is putting up a nine-family condo in Bedford-Stuyvesant using blocks made of Styrofoam - the same stuff white coffee cups are made of. The blocks are considered environmentally and energy friendly.
This is a first in the city for Habitat, which has built or rehabilitated 165 units of affordable housing in the five boroughs, executive director Roland Lewis said.
"We try to keep down building costs, but if the energy and operating costs skyrocket, we're not doing anybody any favors," Lewis said. "If the homeowner can't afford the houses 10 years from now, we've failed."
The condos, at the corner of Marcus Garvey Blvd. and Halsey St., are three two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units in an area busy with commercial and residential traffic.
But the Styrofoam, officially known as polystyrene foam, is effective at keeping out noise, mold and dust, while keeping in warm or cool air, according to Chris Pearson of PolySteel, the Amityville, L.I., supplier of the material. It's also used for egg cartons and ice chests, and can be recycled.
The total cost of the construction project, including energy-efficient appliances and sustainable wood flooring, is estimated at $2 million, Lewis said.
That's slightly higher than conventional construction costs might be, according to Frank LoRe Jr. of Lafarge in North America, which also is donating construction materials. "But there's a big savings on energy," LoRe said. An estimate of 35%-40% would be conservative, he said.
Last week, workers were installing the lightweight Styrofoam blocks, with reinforced steel used to separate the two sides. After the blocks are in place, concrete is poured into them.
Then, brick will be used as an outside facing. Inside, the blocks can be covered with sheet rock. No additional insulation is needed, LoRe said.
The families who will buy the homes have already been selected and are expected to be on site next month to help with the building, Lewis said. Around this time next year, the families are expected to move into their new homes. Originally published on November 21, 2006