April 5th, 2010 - Posted By: Brad Liljequist

zHome starts construction tomorrow, April 6th!  After some initial utility work, we will be installing the ground source wells.  I will do a separate post on that, and include some video so you can see what it’s all about.  We will also have an onsite informal get together next week if folks want to view the well drilling.  We will be continuing construction for about a year, when we will open for public tours.

So, how did this come about?  Howland Homes, our builder partner, has formed a joint venture with Ichijo USA, which is providing project financing.  Ichijo USA is the American subsidiary to the Ichijo Group of Japan, which is a major homebuilder there.  Last year they built about 8,000 homes with a total sales value of $2.1 billion. Ichijo is currently building highly energy-efficient homes in Japan, including the i-cube, which includes a heavily-insulated exterior (R-30 walls) and air source heat pumps as standard specification.  They completely get what zHome is about, and have been real leaders and innovators in their home market. 

It feels great to be starting construction.  The team is really excited to begin our education program and start rolling with our market transformation.  I am personally incredibly excited to have Ichijo as part of the project.  zHome is now international in scope, influencing not only Issaquah, the Puget Sound region, and the Northwest, but potentially Japan as well.  If we are going to be serious about addressing climate change, it is going to be these sorts of international partnerships that are going to do it.

More on details of all this as we move forward – I just wanted to get the word out!