New Mexico Invited to Witness the Future of Housing at the Ice Box Challenge Kick-Off Event – August 8, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Miles D. Conway (505) 455-2853
Date: July 31, 2025

Santa Fe, NM — On Friday, August 8, 2025, the public, elected officials, and media are invited to the PERA Building parking lot (1120 Paseo De Peralta) near the New Mexico State Capitol Building for the highly anticipated kick-off event of the Northern New Mexico Ice Box Challenge — an interactive building science demonstration that merges climate solutions, youth workforce training, and community care.

At the heart of the event: 1,800 pounds of ice will be loaded into three tiny homes, each built to dramatically different energy standards—from 1950s-era construction standards, to the current 2021 IECC code and cutting-edge Passive House design. Over the weekend, the ice will melt at different rates as homes sit in full sun, providing a visible demonstration for how energy-efficient buildings maintain temperature and reduce energy use.

Kick-Off Event Details

Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Time: 10AM
Location: PERA Building Parking Lot (1120 Paseo de Peralta / near NM Capitol Bldg)
Highlights Include:

• Ice loading into all three tiny homes
• Tours and photo opportunities
• Meet youth builders and their building coaches
• Remarks from project partners
• Media availability with organizers and participants

Why It Matters

This project offers a rare, tangible look at how building codes and design choices directly impact comfort, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. The event also marks the first Ice Box Challenge in the world to be built entirely by high school aged students, with guidance from local tradespeople—underscoring New Mexico’s leadership in youth workforce development and sustainable construction.

Built by Youth, for Community Impact

Each tiny home is the product of local collaboration:

• ECO High School: Constructing a home to current NM residential code
• YouthWorks and Habitat for Humanity: Constructing a Passive House with ultra-efficient performance and Building (and retrofitting) a 1950s-era home

After the demonstration concludes, the homes will be donated to Esperanza Shelter for use as emergency housing — serving families impacted by domestic violence across Northern New Mexico.

Join Us

The August 8th event is open to all, and we especially encourage:

• Media outlets to cover this powerful visual demonstration of climate-smart building
• Elected officials and policymakers to witness how construction innovation can align with workforce development and community care
• Local residents and families to explore the homes, meet the builders, and celebrate the promise of a sustainable and affordable housing future

Partners and Sponsors

This initiative is led by a coalition including Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity, Esperanza Shelter, YouthWorks, Early College Opportunities High School, B. Public Prefab, Santa Fe Community College, and the National Association of Home Builders, with support from the Regional Development Corporation, the Foundation for Building, Builders First Source, The City of Santa Fe, and other sponsors.