Tornado-Resistant Silo Home Debuts in Greensburg
Cylindrical design and green techniques provide strength and sustainability.
With completion of Greensburg’s first “Eco-Home” expected next week, the tiny town in Kansas once ravaged by a tornado is drawing eco-tourists from all over the world.
After an EF5 tornado tore through southwest Kansas in May 2007, 95% of the town was reduced to rubble. In the wake of the catastrophe, Greensburg’s leaders and many residents embraced the idea of rebuilding as a green community.
That vision is slowly becoming reality with the completion of the community’s first Eco-Home, inspired by the local co-op’s grain elevator that was left standing after most homes and buildings were destroyed.
A news photo of the silo resonated with David Moffitt, a Florida builder who was preparing to market his ultra-hurricane-resistant home, under development since 2004. He realized his sustainable, durable Silo home was a perfect fit for tornado-prone Greensburg. “After the tornado went through Greensburg, we were impressed that the only thing left standing was the town’s silo,” says Moffitt, owner of Bushnell, Fla.-based Armour Homes. “We decided we could help out in Greensburg and work to market our product, not just to build back green, but also tornado-resistant.”
After meeting with Greensburg GreenTown founder Daniel Wallach, Moffitt decided to be the first builder to participate in the organization’s Chain of Eco-Homes project. Groudbreaking on the Silo home was in December; it is expected to be complete just after Labor Day.
