Weber State University and Nilson Homes Launch Innovative SABSCRETE Workforce Housing Demonstration Project

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University and Nilson Homes have announced a first-of-its-kind partnership to design, construct, and evaluate an innovative high-performance workforce housing prototype utilizing SABSCRETE™ insulated concrete construction technology.

The project, located adjacent to Weber State University's main campus, will serve as both a demonstration home and a living laboratory for students, faculty, and industry partners. The initiative reflects the university's commitment to applied learning while advancing affordable, durable, and energy-efficient housing solutions for Utah communities.

"This project represents exactly the kind of collaboration higher education should be fostering," said Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., P.E., Weber State University's Construction Management Program. "Students will have the opportunity to observe and learn from every phase of the development process—from land acquisition and entitlement through design, construction, building science, and final performance evaluation. It creates an educational experience that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom."

The approximately 960-square-foot prototype home will incorporate SABSCRETE insulated concrete wall systems, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, balanced ventilation, and advanced building envelope technologies designed to dramatically reduce operating costs while improving occupant comfort and resilience.

Beyond serving as a residential prototype, the project will become an ongoing research platform where students can collect and analyze real-world building performance data, evaluate construction methods, and explore emerging technologies that improve affordability without sacrificing quality.

"We believe the future of attainable housing depends upon innovation," said Jed Nilson. "Partnering with Weber State allows us to test new ideas while helping educate the next generation of construction professionals. This project demonstrates how industry and higher education can work together to solve some of Utah's biggest housing challenges."

Students in Weber State's Construction Management Program will gain hands-on experience in project management, estimating, scheduling, sustainability, quality control, and building performance monitoring. Faculty members anticipate integrating the project into multiple courses and using the home for future research initiatives.

The partnership also supports Weber State's growing emphasis on workforce development by connecting students directly with industry professionals throughout the project's lifecycle.

"This is more than a home," Meyer said. "It's a classroom, a research laboratory, and a demonstration of what is possible when education and industry work together to address real community needs."

Construction is expected to be completed later this year, with the home serving as a permanent educational resource for Weber State students, community partners, and housing professionals interested in next-generation residential construction.

Sabscrete Videos

Students interested in the Weber State University's Construction Management Program can contact east@weber.edu or visit weber.edu/cm for more information.