Remoteness and cold climate make construction in rural Alaska challenging and expensive. Sustainable construction practices serve to reduce the negative environmental consequences of construction projects and often reduce their life-cycle cost. While such practices are commonly considered in warm climate construction, especially for horizontal construction, little knowledge has been accumulated about
Translate common sustainable construction methods in use for vertical construction into similar approaches for horizontal construction for use as a checklist of topics for horizontal construction in remote and cold regions.
Identify appropriate sustainable horizontal construction methods for use in remote regions and in severe climates.
Develop guidelines and means for the formal transfer of such methodologies to those who conduct construction operations in such environments. Examine practicality of such techniques for use in remote and harsh environments by rural residents.
