Building communities
About
- Home
- /
- About
Our Heritage
With decades of experience working with traditional building materials — including wood, block, ICF, SIPs, and others — we knew there had to be a better
way to build. The truth is, the residential construction industry has seen very little innovation in decades. It’s surprising, considering we’ve essentially been building the same wood-framed structures since their origin in 13th-century England.The concept of the modern Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) began in 1935 at the
Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin. Between the 1930s
and 1950s, two key figures helped shape the SIP industry: famed architect Frank
Lloyd Wright Sr. and one of his students, Aldon B. Dow, the son of Dow
Chemical’s founder. Their work led to the development of the first foam-core SIP
products in 1952 — panels still used today, primarily in residential and low-rise
construction. Since then, advancements in foam insulation, Oriented Strand
Board (OSB), Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and
general technology have driven continued growth in both OSB and metal SIP
panel technology for over 60 years.Carrying forward the efforts of those who came before us, we set out in the early
2000s to build stronger, safer, and more durable structures — while reducing
waste and maximizing energy efficiency. Though our journey continues, we’ve
made significant progress. In 2018, we were awarded our first utility patent
(#9,624,666) for a unique and innovative building envelope technology, and the
KRATOS™ Building Solution was born.
Our Value Proposition
We believe true sustainability requires a balanced approach between cost and
benefit. Focusing only on cost, or solely on environmental impact at any expense,
isn’t truly sustainable over the long term. Unfortunately, many builders today
prioritize the lowest initial build cost, doing only the minimum to meet code in
order to maximize profit. While this approach may satisfy short-term ROI goals
for investors, it often works against the best interests of the buyer — who is
seeking a durable, healthy, efficient, and cost-effective home. In other words, the
builder’s goals and the buyer’s goals are often directly at odds, especially with
large national homebuilders.
While initial construction cost is certainly important, one of the most significant —
and often overlooked factors in building or buying a home are the operational
costs over the life of the building. This is referred to as Total Cost of Ownership
(TCO), and it includes ongoing expenses such as utilities, insurance, property
taxes, maintenance, and repairs. Considering TCO as part of the
decision-making process, and the sustainability equation, is essential, as these
long-term costs directly impact overall affordability and value.
The key to building a truly sustainable structure lies in achieving both
environmental and financial sustainability together. That means building
higher-quality, more energy-efficient homes that are also more economical to
operate — all while reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. The
result? Less material waste sent to landfills, lower CO₂ emissions, reduced
maintenance and repair costs, decreased utility bills, and lower insurance
premiums — all contributing to a lower TCO for the owner or occupant.
See below to compare how our sustainable model measures up against
traditional building methods.

Build To Code:
-
High Labor Cost -
Low-cost, low-quality materials -
Energy inefficient (high utility costs) -
Unhealthy (prone to mold, mildew, insects) -
Low durability (high maintenance costs) -
High VOCs (greater risk of fire and termites) -
High material waste -
High environmental impact = Not sustainable -
Builder benefits: Low cost = High profits -
Buyer receives: Low value = High total cost of ownership (TCO) -
Financial outcome: Poor performance = Not sustainable
Build To Perform:
-
Reduced labor (up to 50% less for shell erection) -
High-quality, durable materials -
Highly energy-efficient (60%–80% energy savings) -
Healthy (resistant to mold, mildew, insects) -
High durability (minimal maintenance required) -
Low VOCs (fire- and termite-resistant) -
Minimal waste (<2%), with recycled content -
Low environmental impact = Sustainable -
Builder benefits: Better performance = Long-term growth -
Buyer receives: High value = Low total cost of ownership (TCO) -
Financial outcome: Strong performance = Truly sustainable
Resolution:
-
The model above demonstrates how both financial and environmental sustainability can be achieved by reallocating labor costs toward better materials and technologies — such as our light gauge steel KRATOS™ Building Solution. This building approach results in a higher-quality structure that is energy-efficient, safe, durable, resistant to common environmental threats, and environmentally friendly. Our system uses recycled materials, produces less than 2% recyclable waste with CO₂ capture, and contains low or no VOCs. -
The long-term value of your investment with KRATOS™ is clear: reduced utility bills (with 60% to 80% energy savings), lower maintenance and repair costs, and decreased insurance expenses — all contributing to a significantly lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over the building’s lifespan. These ongoing savings can even offset the higher initial build cost, leading to more favorable financing terms or a faster return on investment. In addition, KRATOS™ structures qualify as “green buildings,” easily meeting the requirements of the EPA’s Energy Star program, the Green Building Coalition, LEED, and other green building certification programs. These certifications often pay for themselves through federal financial incentives and open the door to green building loans and increased property values. This is what true sustainability looks like — and it’s what we deliver every day. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about who we are and our vision for the future. We invite you to join us on this important journey toward a brighter, greener tomorrow.
Bottom header:
-
Help Lead the Sustainable Building Revolution — Partner with Us Today -
Our building technology can be used to construct virtually any type or style of structure. Value-engineered to meet specific wind and seismic design criteria — and paired with an adjustable R-value insulated exterior wall — our wall system is a versatile solution suitable for any climate zone around the world. From Alaska to the Caribbean, our projects include residential, commercial, emergency, and institutional buildings, proving the system’s adaptability across a wide range of environments and applications.
The above model demonstrates the possibility of accomplishing both financial and environmental sustainability by shifting the costs of labor over to better materials and technologies, like our light gauge steel KRATOS Wall Solution, to build a better higher quality structure that is energy efficient, safe, resistant, durable and environmentally friendly (i.e. use of recycled materials, recyclable waste of less than 2% with Co2 capture, low/no VOC’s). In turn, this higher quality structure provides for savings to the owner/operator in lower utility bills (i.e. 60% to 80% in energy savings), maintenance, insurance and repairs over an extended lifespan of the structure. This savings can even be used to fund a higher initial build cost and yet over time facilitate a shorter and lower cost of financing, or faster return on investment. Additionally, our structures are considered “green buildings”, and easily meet the EPA’s Energy Star program, Green Building Coalition programs, LEED and other program requirements for green building certifications. These certifications often pay for themselves with Federal financial incentives, while providing a platform for green building loans and increased property values. This is true sustainability, and something we do every day.Thank you for taking the time to learn more about who we are and our vision for the future. We hope you will engage and join us on this important journey towards a brighter and greener future!
Todd Wright
Co-Founder & President
Partner with us today in helping to build a more sustainable future.
Our building technology can be used to build almost any type/style of structure. Value Engineered for specific wind/seismic design criteria, combined with an adjustable r-value, insulated exterior wall, our wall system is the perfect solution for any climatic region in the World. Past and current projects have spanned from Alaska to the Caribbean Islands and include residential, commercial, emergency and institutional type projects.
Contact Us
