Habitat Vail Valley receives national praise for Stratton Flats
Trade association recognizes Habitat Vail Valley’s Stratton Flats as a standout residential and project that use SIP construction to deliver a superior building envelope
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The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) announced the winners of the 2026 Building Excellence Awards at its annual meeting in Tempe, Arizona, in January. Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley’s Stratton Flats project was the runner up for this nationwide award.
“Working for Habitat Vail Valley is so rewarding — there is nothing like helping new homeowners build their homes and learn new skills. But an award like this is really special,” says Doug Amberg, director of construction. “Habitat is all about partnerships and community. SIPS enhances these homes, helping increase energy efficiency to keep monthly costs down as we build permanently affordable homeownership is invaluable.”
The trade association’s offsite construction award program recognizes outstanding residential and light commercial projects that exhibit the energy efficient performance, design flexibility and resiliency associated with structural insulated panels (SIPs). To meet today’s increasingly tough building and energy codes in all climate zones, a growing number of industry professionals are choosing SIPs to deliver a nearly impermeable building envelope that prioritizes the comfort, health and safety of the homeowner or future building occupant.
The Building Excellence Awards gives SIP builders, designers and manufacturers an opportunity to showcase projects completed the year prior. This year, the Building Excellence Award judges evaluated each project for its creative use of SIP construction, its overall design and structural engineering innovation, its energy efficiency (quantified by its HERS® Index score and other data), and its commitment to environmental sustainability.
For over 15 years, Habitat Vail Valley has relied on SIPs to bring projects like this to life because they increase energy efficiency: SIPs create a high-quality building envelope that keeps homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Lower energy bills mean affordability lasts long after move-in day. Habitat thrives on volunteer power. SIPs make framing simple and approachable, so anyone—from future homeowners to community volunteers—can lend a hand. And, finally, SIPs speed up framing, which means families can move into their homes sooner.
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Habitat Vail Valley has 76 lots at Stratton Flats; 72 homes are completed. The next project Habitat will undertake is at IK Bar in Gypsum, partnering with Eagle County School District for 10 townhomes.
For more information, visit habitatvailvalley.org.
