Sponsored by Interface, the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet tiles, the challenge was to use non-recyclable scrap from the carpet manufacturing process in the construction of a family house. The house walls contain 72,000 individual stacked tiles held in compression by a heavy wooden ring-beam. The tower form contains the parent’s bedroom, with a spectacular view of the North Star, atop a cast-concrete family room that performs a dual role as a tornado shelter.

Previously, the family huddled together in two rooms. Now with private bedrooms, the teenage children’s school performances have dramatically improved.