Cold Climate Housing Research Center

The Cold Climate Housing Research Center is a nonprofit organization in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was founded by Alaska homebuilders in 1999 to advance the development of healthy, durable and sustainable shelter for Alaskans and other Circumpolar people. Our 22,000-square-foot facility is the farthest-north LEED Platinum building in the world and runner-up for Siemens’ “Smartest Building in the World” award. Heated entirely by geothermal, solar, and biomass energy, our facility proves that quality construction and intelligent supply can eliminate the need for fossil fuels, even in a subarctic climate. The building and heating strategies demonstrated at the research center are being incorporated into homes, schools, hospitals, and community buildings throughout Alaska.