--- title: Simplus Blog | Building Codes description: Building Codes | Information about passive house design and MgO based Structural Insulated Panels. --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/building-codes#main-content) [![Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGO-Simplus-Systems/Logo-Blue-white%20letters/Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.5x.png?width=500&height=390&name=Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.5x.png "Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership")](https://www.simplus-systems.com/home-oldf) [![Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGO-Simplus-Systems/Logo-Blue-white%20letters/Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.75x.png?width=795&height=620&name=Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.75x.png "Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership")](https://www.simplus-systems.com/home-oldf) - [Home](https://www.simplus-systems.com) - [What We Do](https://www.simplus-systems.com#What-We-Do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Who-We-Serve) - [Building System](https://www.simplus-systems.com#building-system) - [Our Team](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Our-Team) - [Blog](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) Search [SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu [SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) - [Home](https://www.simplus-systems.com) - [What We Do](https://www.simplus-systems.com#What-We-Do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Who-We-Serve) - [Building System](https://www.simplus-systems.com#building-system) - [Our Team](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Our-Team) - [Blog](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/simplussystems) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplus-systems/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SimplusSystems) # Notes from the Field #### Practical thinking on cost, performance, and risk for teams building at community scale. Filter by Category Show All Affordable Housing Building Codes Climate Change Construction Costs Construction Innovation Developers Disaster Recovery Energy Efficiency Fire-Resistant Materials Fire-Resistive Construction Green Building Greenhouse Gases Homeowners Housing Policy Low Carbon Construction Multifamily Development Panelized Construction Passive House Planning Press Rebuilding After LA Fires Simplus Building System Student Housing Sustainability Thought Leadership Tilt Up Concrete Wildfire Resilience Wildfire Resilient Homes architects builders climate-Resilient Housing officials prefabricated Construction realtors ![simplus-blog-hero-bg\_1](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Banner%20Images%20Bkgd/simplus-blog-hero-bg_1.svg) ### Building Codes [![Burnt-out neighborhood in Altadena showing wildfire damage and destroyed homes, highlighting the urgency of rebuilding with fire-resilient construction.](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/2048px-The_burned_buildingh_that_one_held_Vittorios_Restaurant_in_Pacific_Palisades.jpg?width=2048&height=1542&name=2048px-The_burned_buildingh_that_one_held_Vittorios_Restaurant_in_Pacific_Palisades.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-we-cant-rebuild-the-old-way-after-the-la-fires) 3 min read #### [Why We Can’t Rebuild the Old Way After the LA Fires](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-we-cant-rebuild-the-old-way-after-the-la-fires) [![Picture of Timothy Lorang](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/square-Tim-Lorang-styalizedpsd.jpg?width=30&name=square-Tim-Lorang-styalizedpsd.jpg) Timothy Lorang](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/timothy-lorang): Mar 24, 2025, 2:37:06 PM LA Is at a Crossroads The wildfires that tore through Los Angeles County this January weren’t just devastating—they were a wake-up call. Thousands of... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-we-cant-rebuild-the-old-way-after-the-la-fires) [![ZERO Home of the month](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ZERO-home-of-the-month.jpg?width=1440&height=450&name=ZERO-home-of-the-month.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/earn-tax-credits-for-your-energy-ready-home) 3 min read #### [Earn Tax Credits for your Energy Ready Multifamily Building Now](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/earn-tax-credits-for-your-energy-ready-home) [![Picture of Timothy Lorang](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/square-Tim-Lorang-styalizedpsd.jpg?width=30&name=square-Tim-Lorang-styalizedpsd.jpg) Timothy Lorang](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/timothy-lorang): Mar 30, 2024, 6:40:41 AM Your next multifamily building project could earn thousands of dollars in tax credits. To help the country meet its goal to decarbonize the economy... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/earn-tax-credits-for-your-energy-ready-home) [![Infrared thermographic images showing massive heat losses from uninsulated tilt up concrete walls.](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Infrared_Inspection_on_tilt-up_concrete_industrial_building-1-1024x570.jpg?width=1024&height=570&name=Infrared_Inspection_on_tilt-up_concrete_industrial_building-1-1024x570.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/most-uninsulated-concrete-buildings-should-be-prohibited) 3 min read #### [Why Most Uninsulated Concrete Tilt-up Construction should be Prohibited](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/most-uninsulated-concrete-buildings-should-be-prohibited) [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg?width=30&name=Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney): Jan 5, 2024, 2:00:00 AM There is more than adequate proof that poorly and uninsulated tilt-up concrete construction is a terrible Loop Hole in the Codes that must be... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/most-uninsulated-concrete-buildings-should-be-prohibited) [![](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Red%20West%20Cafeteria-Cropped.jpg?width=2048&height=1107&name=Red%20West%20Cafeteria-Cropped.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-must-we-switch-to-truly-sustainable-construction-now) 2 min read #### [Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable Construction NOW!](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-must-we-switch-to-truly-sustainable-construction-now) [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg?width=30&name=Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney): Oct 14, 2023, 3:00:00 AM Aren't the Building Codes all that we need to comply with? Why must we switch to truly Sustainable Construction NOW? The short answer to that... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-must-we-switch-to-truly-sustainable-construction-now) ###### 3 min read #### [Why Rising Energy Costs Make Smarter Housing a No-Brainer](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-rising-energy-costs-make-smarter-housing-a-no-brainer) Timothy Lorang: Jul 29, 2025 What a recent Ezra Klein episode reveals about cost, permitting, and how to rebuild faster On a recent episode of The... ###### 6 min read #### [Wildfire Resilient Homes: Policy and Building Solutions That Work](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/wildfire-resilient-homes-rebuilding-communities-guide) Timothy Lorang: Jul 13, 2025 Wildfires don’t just destroy homes—they upend entire communities. From Paradise to Lahaina to Los Angeles, fire... ###### 4 min read #### [Wildfire Resilient Homes: Safe Indoor Air with Passive House Design](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/wildfire-resilient-homes-safe-indoor-air-passive-house) Timothy Lorang: Jul 6, 2025 When a wildfire hits, most people worry about flames. But smoke is often both the immediate killer and the more... ###### 4 min read #### [Wildfire Resilient Homes: Fireproofing with MgO Panels That Don’t Burn](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/wildfire-resilient-homes-fireproofing-with-mgo-panels) Timothy Lorang: Jul 6, 2025 When it comes to wildfires, speed is everything. Fires can jump highways, level homes in minutes, and spread from... ###### 3 min read #### [The Land Is There. The Real Question Is How We Build On It](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/housing-policy-public-land-smarter-construction) Timothy Lorang: Apr 22, 2025 The Housing Crisis Isn't Just About Land The United States doesn’t have a land shortage. From booming metro areas in... ###### 3 min read #### [The 3 Simple Steps to Maximize Energy Efficiency Without Increasing Costs](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/the-3-simple-steps-to-maximize-energy-efficiency-without-increasing-costs) Tim Sweeney: Apr 3, 2025 The Way Forward The way we design and construct buildings today will shape the future of our planet. With rising energy... ###### 3 min read #### [Why We Can’t Rebuild the Old Way After the LA Fires](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-we-cant-rebuild-the-old-way-after-the-la-fires) Timothy Lorang: Mar 24, 2025 LA Is at a Crossroads The wildfires that tore through Los Angeles County this January weren’t just devastating—they... ###### 15 min read #### [Before It's too Late, Distinguished Speaker Series](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/before-its-too-late-distinguished-speaker-series) Tim Sweeney: Nov 6, 2024 On September 19, 2024, Tim Sweeney gave a presentation to the Dianne Dodd Cheseldine Distinguished Speaker Series at... ###### 1 min read #### [Building to Benefit the Planet: Join Tim Sweeney at the Dianne Dodd Cheseldine Distinguished Speaker Series](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/building-to-benefit-the-planet-join-tim-sweeney-at-the-dianne-dodd-cheseldine-distinguished-speaker-series) Timothy Lorang: Sep 12, 2024 As climate change continues to be one of the most pressing challenges of our time, the call for sustainable building... ###### 2 min read #### [Beyond Affordable Student Housing](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/beyond-affordable-student-housing) Timothy Lorang: Apr 22, 2024 Cal State Long Beach Breaks Ground on $115 Million La Playa Residence Hall Project. According to this recent article in... ###### 3 min read #### [Earn Tax Credits for your Energy Ready Multifamily Building Now](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/earn-tax-credits-for-your-energy-ready-home) Timothy Lorang: Mar 30, 2024 Your next multifamily building project could earn thousands of dollars in tax credits. To help the country meet its... ###### 1 min read #### [‘Passive House Design’ could be the future of sustainable living](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/passive-house-design-could-be-the-future-of-sustainable-living) Timothy Lorang: Feb 16, 2024 After Tim Sweeney after his presentation of "Before It's Too Late," at the Nevada AIA Luncheon, KOLO 8 Reporter Taylor... ###### 1 min read #### [Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast!](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tim-sweeney-interviewed-on-disruptive-ceo-nation-podcast) Timothy Lorang: Feb 16, 2024 Tim Sweeney, Owner and CEO of Sweeney Architecture and creator of the Simplus Building System, was recently featured in... ###### 1 min read #### [Building a More Sustainable Future: A Conversation with the Inventor of Simplus Building System™](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/building-a-more-sustainable-future-a-conversation-with-the-inventor-of-simplus-building-system) Timothy Lorang: Feb 1, 2024 The exclusive interview by QeCAD with lead architect Tim Sweeney, posted on EINPresswire.com., highlights the Simplus... ###### 3 min read #### [Why Most Uninsulated Concrete Tilt-up Construction should be Prohibited](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/most-uninsulated-concrete-buildings-should-be-prohibited) Tim Sweeney: Jan 5, 2024 There is more than adequate proof that poorly and uninsulated tilt-up concrete construction is a terrible Loop Hole in... ###### 2 min read #### [Six Reasons Universities Should Support More Efficient and Sustainable Building Projects.](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/university-opportunities-for-more-efficient-and-sustainable-projects-0) Rod Aeschlimann: Nov 24, 2023 When it comes to selecting the most beneficial construction systems for new Residential Life, Housing, and Foodservice... ###### 3 min read #### [The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: Shaping the Future of Construction](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/the-rise-of-sustainability-minded-builders-shaping-the-future-of-construction) Tim Sweeney: Nov 2, 2023 Discover how sustainability-minded builders are revolutionizing the construction industry and shaping a greener future... ###### 2 min read #### [Sweeney Architecture Brings the Benefits of the IMPEL Program to Nevada](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tim-swe) Tim Sweeney: Oct 25, 2023 As our climate crisis increases the demand for more sustainable building solutions, the U.S. Department of Energy's... ###### 2 min read #### [Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable Construction NOW!](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/why-must-we-switch-to-truly-sustainable-construction-now) Tim Sweeney: Oct 14, 2023 Aren't the Building Codes all that we need to comply with? Why must we switch to truly Sustainable Construction NOW?... ###### 6 min read #### [What do MgO + Passive House™ Panels Really Cost vs Wood Framing?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-do-mgo-passive-house-panels-really-cost-vs-stick-framing-1) Tim Sweeney: Sep 12, 2023 One of the most common questions we hear is “OK, so what will it really cost me?” Obviously, the answer depends upon a... ###### 1 min read #### [What are "Embodied Carbon" and a "Carbon Footprint"?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-are-embodied-carbon-and-a-carbon-footprint) Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 Homes, like any building, use materials when they are built, and materials need to be obtained from many sources in... ###### 1 min read #### [What is the Best Energy Design Software for a Green Home or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-is-the-best-energy-design-software-for-a-green-home-or-building) Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 Opinions of what’s the “Best” software depends upon whom you’re talking to. What’s actually being used typically... ###### 2 min read #### [What are "SIPs" and Which Are the "Best" SIPs?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-are-sips-and-which-are-the-best-sips) Eduardo Semoto: Jun 23, 2023 Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are factory-fabricated panels that can be used as load bearing walls, floors, roofs,... ###### 2 min read #### [What Does A "Green" or "Sustainable" Home Really Cost?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-does-a-green-or-sustainable-home-really-cost) Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 Firstly, your Green or Sustainable Home does not have to look like something from another world. In fact, if you're... ###### 2 min read #### [Your Future Depends Upon Switching to Green Energy & Green Buildings](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/everyone-needs-to-switch-to-green-energy-green-buildings) Tim Sweeney: Jun 23, 2023 The Simple Truths are: Fossil Fuels are the predominant source of energy for most of our lives. They power vehicles,... ###### 2 min read #### [So, Why Should I Have a “Green” or “Sustainable” House or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/so-why-should-i-have-a-green-or-sustainable-house-or-building) Tim Sweeney: Jun 9, 2023 Being “Green” means being truly “Sustainable”. Something that is “Sustainable” is something you can do for a long... ###### 5 min read #### [How to Choose the Best “Green” House or Apartment](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-green-house-or-apartment) Tim Sweeney: May 17, 2023 What makes the “Best Green” anything? Maybe the hardest thing to know is which thing is really “Best”. There are so... 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(KOLO) - What is a passive house? In layman’s terms, it essentially means that it is an energy-efficient home that is healthier for the environment.</span>", "duration" : "PT1M33S", "embedUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/embed/00KCFksSXSc", "name" : "‘Passive House Design’ could be the future of sustainable living- KOLO 8, RENO news report.12/7/23", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/00KCFksSXSc/default.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2023-12-10T21:00:00Z" } ```