Our Story
Howard Building Science’s mission is to provide Missing Middle Housing by building pocket neighborhoods of sustainable homes at an affordable price. Download our brochure for more info.
A Passion for Sustainable, Affordable Housing.
Missing Middle Housing
Missing Middle Housing includes a range of “house-scale” buildings with multiple units—compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes—located in a walkable neighborhood. They provide solutions along a spectrum of affordability to address the mismatch between the available U.S. housing stock and shifting demographics.
Pocket Neighborhoods
Pocket neighborhoods as clustered groups of houses gathered around an open courtyard where neighbors have a sense of stewardship in the common ground they share. Large front porches serve as outdoor living rooms facing a shared green space with a walking path where parents can exercise and socialize while kids and dogs play.
People
Rob Howard
Rob Howard is President of Howard Building Science, Inc. based in Granite Falls, NC. As a Licensed General Contractor, Howard Building Science provides sustainable development and net-zero energy home construction in the High Country and Foothills of Western North Carolina.
Rob has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He is the former Director of Construction at Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley where he built ENERGY STAR homes through Advanced Energy’s SystemVision program. He built the first Net-Zero Energy Home in North Carolina in partnership with the Appalachian Energy Center in 2005. He also built the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes in North Carolina in 2015.
Previous roles include 5 years as a Sustainable Building Specialist with Habitat for Humanity International and 4 years as a Performance Construction Manager with Mitsubishi Electric.
Rob holds a bachelor’s degree and a renewable energy technologies diploma from North Carolina State University. He recently completed a master’s degree in sustainable technology and building science at Appalachian State University where he now serves as a lecturer.
Bailey Conn
Bailey Conn is Operations Manager of Howard Building Science, Inc. Bailey graduated from Appalachian State University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sustainable Development. Bailey is excited to apply her knowledge of both sustainability and business to HBS and to assist in broadening the positive impact that Howard Building Science has on the High Country.
Megan Ward
Megan Ward is a Project Manager at Howard Building Science, Inc. As a recent graduate of Appalachian State's Sustainable Technology Program, Megan is very passionate about building sustainable and affordable housing in the High Country. Megan has recently completed her PHIUS training (Passive House Institute, US) and is eager to manage upcoming passive home projects.
