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Building to Benefit the Planet

Sweeney Architecture

Saving the Environment with Reliable and Sustainable Building Systems

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2024 IMPEL Innovator and Entrepreneurial Participant

 

 

 

 

At the heart of our Passive building design is the Simplus Building System™. True building sustainability is achieved through designs and building components that reduce environmental impact while providing faster construction, less labor, and lower costs for any building regardless of size, type, or use.  Sweeney Architecture provides consultation, architectural services, and building components, from conception through design, construction, and completion, for a more enjoyable and sustainable future.

What We Do

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MULTI-FAMILY

From duplex to high-rise- housing solutions for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities.
Learn More

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SINGLE FAMILY

Net Zero Ready, Net Zero, and even better homes that leverage the advantages of Passive House and Panelization technologies. Learn More

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AFFORDABLE, HOMELESS, TINY, & SMALL
Sustainable housing solutions for the un-housed, disaster-relief, refugees, and living with a smaller carbon footprint. Learn More
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EDUCATIONAL

More effective Learning Environments created from the more effective Design Down Planning Process and the Simplus Building System. Learn More

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STUDENT HOUSING
Optimizing Learning achievements and Living communities with more effective, efficient, supportive, and sustainable design & construction. Learn More
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COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL

The Simplus Building System allows the highest levels of economy, speed, strength, health, comfort, enjoyment, and work efficiency. Learn More

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ENERGY RETROFIT

The Simplus Retrofit System™ lets building owners quickly & affordably give their buildings new life via greater energy efficiency & comfort. Learn More

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DISASTER RELIEF

Fast, safe, comfortable, simple, easy, and affordable panelized solutions for those who would otherwise have inadequate shelter. Learn More

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HOTEL

Quiet, economical, durable, clean, healthy, fast, flexible, and affordable accommodations with or without corporate branding. Learn More

Why We Do It

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Air Pollution
Buildings are responsible for 39% of Carbon Emissions.

The energy used to make buildings (11%) combined with the energy used to condition the interiors of buildings (28%) are responsible for nearly 40% of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Using fossil fuels to obtain the raw materials, processing them, selling and shipping them, assembling them into buildings, and running furnaces and air conditioners in thermally inefficient buildings is a never-ending cycle of consumption, pollution, and waste.

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EMERGENCY HOUSING
Climate change has caused a world-wide housing crisis.

Climate Change is increasing the frequency and severity of hurricanes, flooding, fires, and droughts. Displaced homeowners and refugees from natural disasters, war, and poverty need quick, affordable, and sustainable housing. The need to break the cycle of pollution and waste by switching to energy efficient housing and shelters has never been more urgent, and the Simplus Building System provides the most beneficial and appropriate solutions.

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Climate Change
Inefficient buildings have a global impact.

Energy leaks from buildings have a greater cost than the comfort of the building's residents or high energy bills. Climate Change caused by greenhouse gas emissions is drastically affecting the entire world, from melting ice caps to extreme weather events, droughts, flooding, food scarcity, and species extinctions. To save the environment we need the most sustainable building systems available.

Traditional Construction = Wasteful, Harmful, & Expensive Impacts

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Annual Carbon Emissions from Buildings.

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Annual CO2 Emissions from Average Home

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Annual Energy Wasted from Average Home

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Higher Construction Costs

Passive Design + Panels = Simplus Building System = Real Savings

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Lower Annual Carbon Emissions

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Annual Energy Savings for the Average Home

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Faster Construction

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Savings on Labor Costs

What We Can Do

Building to Benefit the Planet

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Carbon reduction
Construction and leakage are responsible for 39% of annual CO2 emissions.

Build up to 55% faster and with a 41% reduction in labor costs by using MgO panels instead of traditional stick-framed construction.  Passive House Design can eliminate up to 90% of energy waste and provide a 90% annual reduction of carbon emissions per building while making buildings healthier and more comfortable.

Disaster & Affordable Housing
BETTER BUILDINGS
Solutions that are affordable, quick and sustainable.

Small dwellings, temporary shelters, and emergency buildings made from MgO panels are fast and easy to assemble, efficient to move and transport, cost effective, and have much smaller carbon footprints, helping to save the environment.  Larger buildings and entire communities using the Simplus Building System provide much more Sustainable solutions with less cost and time than conventional systems.

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VERSATILE APPLICATIONS
MgO panels and Passive House-based designs can be used in all situations.

Panelized, Passive House designed buildings are the most practical, fast, affordable, and sustainable solution to any building need and can be built in any climate for any building type and use.

How We Do It

Passive-House
PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN
Buildings are responsible for 39% of Carbon Emissions.

Buildings using passive house design techniques need to have exceptionally high levels of insulation, especially around windows and doors. The building is an airtight envelope free of thermal bridges with highly efficient heat and energy recovery systems. Any building, from a single-family home to multifamily apartments, high-rise buildings, schools, and industrial buildings, can be designed and built to Passive House standards. A certified passive house design and construction team is essential for effective Passive House buildings.

MoG
MgO PANELS
Extremely durable & environmentally friendly preconstructed panels

Constructed offsite, MgO panels for foundations, walls, floors, roofs, and decks, are faster to assemble, easier to install and more durable, resulting in 55% faster construction time and up to 41% savings in labor costs. The panels are perfect for passive houses and are fire resistant, water resistant, bug and mold free, fungus resistant, asbestos free, impact resistant and energy efficient. All panels are recyclable, landfill friendly and use less energy to make.

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Simplus Building System™
Passive House Designs + Panelized Construction maximizes Sustainability.

MgO preconstructed panels are easy to ship and quick to assemble while providing the perfect material for air-tight, energy efficient passive homes. The MgO panels provide high insulation; they can be used in any climate; accurate fittings and joints produce an air-tight enclosure; factory designed fabrication means less waste; resulting in a building that uses less energy and emits less carbon,  helping to save the environment.

Simplus Building System™

The Simplus Building System™ is a unique combination of Passive House™ design principles and MgO (Magnesium Oxide) prefabricated Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) technology, delivering exceptional performance, resilience, and sustainability.

Developed by Simplus Systems (a related company), the Simplus Building System™ provides an advanced yet practical approach to building that is fast, efficient, durable, and affordable. Every building—and every occupant—can benefit from this integrated system.

Learn more about the Simplus Building System™ at Simplus Systems.

Simplus System cross section
MgO (Magnesium Oxide) Panels
  • Prefabricated: Replaces slow, error-prone, and wasteful site-built construction with fast, accurate, pre-engineered, ready-to-install Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).
  • Fire Resistant: Naturally 1-hour fire-resistive without adding moisture-sensitive gypsum board.
  • Unaffected by Water: Does not swell, delaminate, weaken, or warp.
  • People Safe: Does not off-gas or contain toxins, silica, or asbestos.
  • Termite Proof: Completely inorganic; does not attract wood boring insects.
  • Environmentally Safe: Energy efficient panels are recyclable and landfill friendly.
  • Thermally Efficient: Resistant to extreme heat or cold temperatures.
  • Mold & Fungus-Resistant: Made with naturally anti-fungal materials.
  • Builder Friendly: Simple, fast, affordable, secure, and durable—clean installation that can be performed efficiently, even with minimal labor experience.

Construction Savings and Efficiencies
  • Up to 55% Faster Construction Time: Prefabricated panels reduce build time with fewer parts and fewer steps.
  • Up to 41% Labor Cost Savings: Faster & simpler construction means lower labor costs.
  • Offsite Construction: Reduced onsite assembly minimizes exposure to prevailing wage labor requirements.
  • Accuracy: Computer-designed, factory-fabricated panels reduce errors and onsite waste.
  • Durability: High-impact resistance and strong structural performance.
  • Panelized Structures Include: Foundations, walls, floors, roofs, and decks.
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Passive-House-Design
Passive House Design + MgO Panels =
The Simplus Building System™
PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN PANELIZATION
  • More Air & Vapor-tight
  • Greater Energy Savings
  • Better Ventilation
  • Healthier and Safer
  • More Comfortable 
  • More Durable
  • Greater Performance
  • Factory Design & Fabrication
  • More Accurate Assembly
  • Faster Construction
  • Greater Value
  • Better Control
  • More Simplicity
  • Greater Savings

Passive House Explained in 90 seconds - Video

A Passive House designed building is truly energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable. These buildings typically achieve heating and cooling related energy savings up to 90% compared to a typical building.  Such is accomplished by:

  • Proper Insulation
  • No Air Leakages
  • No Thermal Bridges where heat can leak out
  • Proper Windows & Doors
  • Ventilation with Energy Recovery
  • Proper Orientation to the sun and proper shading

Examples of our Work

To see examples of our work, select the category and click the image to see a gallery of examples. 

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Affordable & Tiny Homes
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Disaster Relief
Gallery-Education-_0003s_0003_HS Performance
Educational
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Student Housing
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Multi-Family
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Single Family
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Commercial & Industrial
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Hotels & Hospitality
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Energy Retrofit

Who Does It

About Sweeney Architecture

Certified Passive House Designer and Tradesperson, International Passive House Association
LEED Accredited Professional (AP), Green Building Council
Certified Cohousing Facilitator, The Cohousing Company
Design Down Planning Process Practitioner, New Designs, U.S. Department of Education
Member and Past President of the American Institute of Architecture, Northern Nevada
Architectural Registrations in Nevada, California, and Texas
Certificate Holder, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Former General Contractor with an Unlimited 'B' license in Nevada
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
AIA, CPHD&T, LEED AP, NCARB, CCF, & DDPP
 
 

Our Team

TIM SWEENEY
Principal - Lead Architect
JAMES CROFT
Master Builder - Execution
ROD AESCHILMANN
Programming - Feasibility

What We Offer

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Design Down Process Planning
  • In-depth Workshops with Key Stakeholders
    • Build Consensus
    • Create a Roadmap for Success
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Cohousing & Community-Building
  • Client & Self-Initiated Development Projects
    • Create More Functional & Supportive Living, Working, and Learning Environments
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Passive House Building Design & Consulting
  • Full Architectural and Engineering for projects utilizing Passive House approaches
    • Minimal energy usage & GHG emissions
    • Maximum comfort, health, safety, durability, & Sustainability
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Building Panelization & Fabrication
  • Full Architecture & Engineering services for projects utilizing Panelization technologies
    • Minimized Cost & Time
    • Maximized Efficiency & Performance
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New Building & Retrofit Architecture & Construction
  • Complete Design & Construction (Turn-Key) Services using the Simplus Building System
    • A combination of the two most efficient and effective building approaches
    • Maximized performance with minimal time, expense, trouble, and environmental impacts
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Forensic Analysis & Presentations
  • Impartial Building Design & Construction Consulting 
    • Claims Analysis
    • Remedial Recommendations
    • Dispute Resolution

Testimonials

It is with the highest enthusiasm that I recommend Sweeney Architecture to those looking for exceptional architectural services… I would encourage you to select them as your design professionals.
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William H. Jacques
Facilities Supervisor
University of Nevada, Reno

Sweeny Architecture Blog

All Panelized Construction Sustainability Passive House Press Energy Efficiency Simplus Building System Green Building Homeowners architects realtors Tilt Up Concrete builders Building Codes officials Construction Costs Fire-Resistive Construction Developers Climate Change Construction Innovation
Achieve Superior Efficiency with Simplus Building Systems
25 Jan ‘26

Achieve Superior Efficiency with Simplus ...

Explore how Simplus Building Systems revolutionizes construction with unmatched efficiency in ...

Before It's too Late, Distinguished Speaker Series
06 Nov ‘24

Before It's too Late, Distinguished Speaker ...

The complete transcript and slides from Tim Sweeney's DDC Distinguished Speaker presentation at ...

Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast!
16 Feb ‘24

Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO ...

Tim Sweeney is interviewed by Allison Summers, executive coach and business leader on her ...

‘Passive House Design’ could be the future of sustainable living
09 Feb ‘24

‘Passive House Design’ could be the future ...

KOLO-TV *8, interview with Tim Sweeney about passive house design and the future of sustainable ...

Before It's Too Late- Let's Start Building What's Really Needed to Reverse Climate Change!
31 Jan ‘24

Before It's Too Late- Let's Start Building ...

Video, with transcription, of the presentation given by Tim Sweeney to the American Institute of ...

Why Most Uninsulated Concrete Tilt-up Construction should be Prohibited
05 Jan ‘24

Why Most Uninsulated Concrete Tilt-up ...

Learn how poorly and uninsulated tilt up concrete walls are massive thermal bridges and generate ...

Six Reasons Universities Should Support More Efficient and Sustainable Building Projects.
24 Nov ‘23

Six Reasons Universities Should Support More ...

Sustainable Building Systems offer the most beneficial construction systems for new Residential ...

The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: Shaping the Future of Construction
01 Nov ‘23

The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: ...

Discover how sustainability-minded builders are revolutionizing the construction industry and ...

Sweeney Architecture Brings the Benefits of the IMPEL Program to Nevada
25 Oct ‘23

Sweeney Architecture Brings the Benefits of ...

Tim Sweeney joins the IMPEL program to revolutionize sustainable construction in Nevada, showcasing ...

Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable Construction NOW!
14 Oct ‘23

Why We MUST Switch to Truly Sustainable ...

The Codes are inadequate to reduce greenhouse gases, so everyone must be responsible now and build ...

Sweeney Architecture Blog

    Latest Blogs from Tim Sweeney

    Achieve Superior Efficiency with Simplus Building Systems

     
    Simplus Building Systems is a related company to Sweeney Architecture, created to support the delivery of high-performance, prefabricated building solutions. Explore how Simplus ...
    Panelized Construction Sustainability Passive House

    Before It's too Late, Distinguished Speaker Series

     
    On September 19, 2024, Tim Sweeney gave a presentation to the Dianne Dodd Cheseldine Distinguished Speaker Series at Truckee Meadows Community College. Below is an edited ...
    Press Sustainability Energy Efficiency Simplus Building System Green Building

    Tim Sweeney Interviewed on Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast!

     
    Tim Sweeney, Owner and CEO of Sweeney Architecture and creator of the Simplus Building System, was recently featured in an interview conducted by Allison Summers, an executive ...

    Latest Blogs from Tim Sweeney's Blog

    Visit Tim Sweeney's Blog Page for all blogs.

    Sweeney Architecture Blog

    Featured posts

    Subscribe to the Sweeney Architecture Blog.

    Certifications and Partners

    Sweeney Architecture aligns itself with the organizations, resources, and partnerships that focus on the health and sustainability of our citizens and our planet.

    2024 IMPEL Innovator and entrepreneurial cohort

    IMPEL-Inovator

    Member of the American Institute of Architects

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    Certifications
    Associations and Resources
    Partners and Solutions