Here are some additional suggestions for eggman, and others, who are seriously researching their options in connection with the design, and construction, of a super energy efficient home, and are considering SIPs as the primary component of their building envelope. (I'm not overlooking other "green" criteria here, such as sustainability, healthy indoor living environment, etc but it's pretty much a given that SIPs qualify in those areas also)
First of all there are thousands of plans available on the internet, and several plan websites have been referenced by others in this thread. While, as has been previously pointed out, virtually any design can be built with SIPs, some will be more "SIP Friendly" than others. Having said that, a plan that is not "SIP Friendly" will also be less "stick friendly". What I mean by that is that plans with an excessive number of corners, angled or curved walls, complicated roof lines, etc. will also add to the cost of a "stick built" construction approach.
Here's another plans website that offers either free, or very reasonably priced plans, most of which are "SIP Friendly" www.freegreen.com You can also link to this website at www.r-control.com where you can also see a number of examples of actual SIP projects, construction details, installation and testing videos, etc (Caveat" in most areas of the US, any of these "Free" or "Almost Free" plans will require site specific details to be added by a design and/or engineering professional in order to obtain a building permit. I know this to be the case here in California)
Another very valid comment was the one that mentioned "the factor of 4", along with standard OSB SIP sizes , in connection with a "SIP Friendly" design. Also, the most efficient way to enclose useable conditioned living space is a square with a flat roof. This shape requires less surface area of walls and roof than any other, and is utilized quite extensively in current "modern" architectural design. While this design concept does not appeal to everyone, it is definitely enjoying a "rebirth" of sorts. For some examples of this architectural concept see Dwell magazine. There was a great "modern design" SIP home on the "Dwell on Design" home tour in Los Angeles last year.
While retaining the services of an architect, or a qualified home design professional, is still likely to be the best option for many, I've worked with numerous folks over the years who have basically designed their own homes. This would include those who have scratched out their ideas on the proverbial "cocktail napkin", to hand, or CAD, drawn, dimensioned, and scaled, floor plans and elevations. As is with the case of "off the shelf" plans, these approaches typically then require some degree of input from a design and/or engineering, professional in order to obtain a building permit, depending upon the location of the project.
Another suggestion for an efficient use of SIPs, is in connection with roof designs. SIPs are ideal for vaulted ceilings, and/or conditioned attics or upper level living spaces. Also, while straight forward pitched roofs, with gable ends, are more cost effective, and simpler to install, we're not afraid of dormers, hips and valleys, etc. if these are design elements that are required by our clients.
In my mind this is one of the more relevant threads on this forum, and I hope that it will be continued. I think that it speaks directly to one of the most important issues in connection with the entire process of designing and building a custom home that meets the owner's requirements in regard to esthetics, function, budget, and whatever level of "greeness" that he/she is looking to achieve.
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