The Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC), based in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Penn State, will be hosting a major residential construction conference on March 26-27 at the Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The event aims to bring together professionals from various sectors of the housing industry to discuss best practices, regulations, and innovations within residential construction. This includes builders, design professionals, remodelers, code officials, educators, factory-built housing manufacturers, and product manufacturers.

This two-day conference will feature a comprehensive program, with educational panels, talks, exhibits, and other events covering a wide range of topics relevant to those in the residential construction industry. Day one of the conference will primarily focus on construction materials and methods, high-performance housing, and land development and planning. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies shaping the industry. Day two will address topics such as weatherization, building codes, and construction techniques designed to improve energy efficiency.

Chris Hine, the associate director of the PHRC, will open the conference by welcoming attendees, and the first day will feature a keynote address titled “Universal Design and Visitability in Our Homes from the Curb to the Closet.” The keynote will be delivered by an esteemed panel of speakers: Dorothy Gerring, head of the Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design at the Pennsylvania College of Technology; Rob Gladfelter, chair of the landscape architecture program at Temple University; and Dina Snider, principal architect at Strada Architecture LLC. The session will explore the principles of universal design and visitability, which aim to make homes more accessible to people of all abilities.

The remainder of the first day will include in-depth sessions on various critical topics, including the role of HVAC systems in creating healthy and comfortable indoor environments, housing advocacy trends, and the impact of real estate values. After a full day of educational talks, attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, explore exhibits, and meet with product manufacturers, suppliers, and other professional service providers.

The second day will continue the educational discussions, focusing on the 2021 PA UCC Residential Code, achieving deep energy savings through coordinated services, and the role of energy recovery ventilators in improving energy efficiency in residential buildings. The conference will conclude with a session on crawlspaces, presented by the PHRC team, which will delve into strategies for improving the performance and durability of crawlspaces in residential buildings.

The PHRC Housing Conference offers exclusive presentations by invited speakers who will provide practical information and valuable updates on current issues of interest to professionals in the residential construction field. Attendees can earn up to 12 continuing education credits from a variety of accredited organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, the International Code Council, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The conference also provides professional development hours for Pennsylvania engineers and landscape architecture clock hours.

For those interested in supporting the event, there are sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available. For more information about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, Darrin Wright can be contacted via email at dtw153@psu.edu. Additionally, more detailed information regarding the 2025 conference, including full agendas for both days, can be found on the conference website.

This conference presents a unique opportunity for residential construction professionals to gain critical knowledge, exchange ideas, and connect with others in the industry, all while staying ahead of the latest trends and regulatory changes that will shape the future of residential construction.

For additional details and updates about the PHRC's 2025 conference, be sure to visit the official conference website.

Originally reported by Mindy Boffemmyer in Penn State.