UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler TxAIRE Homes Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

November 17, 2011

(From left) Khalifa, UT Tyler President Rod Mabry and Dr. Jim Nelson, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. 

UT Tyler Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the TxAIRE Research and Demonstration Homes Project Nov. 16 on the Tyler campus’ west entrance.

The homes have been designed to serve as realistic test facilities for developing and demonstrating new technologies related to energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainable construction materials and methods.

UT Tyler construction management students and more than 50 local companies have participated in the design and construction of the TxAIRE houses, while technology products from more than 35 Texas-based companies are showcased within the two.

Through a competitive procurement process, Pyramid Houses in Flint was awarded the general contract to oversee the homes’ construction. At the event, Anwar Khalifa with Pyramid Homes also presented UT Tyler with a check for $10,000 to create endowed scholarships for construction management students.

The Texas Emerging Technology Fund awarded UT Tyler a grant to establish the institute and monies for the project.

For more information, visit the TxAIRE Institute page.