Global Green Building and TF Concrete Forming Systems are working on six Convoy of Hope homes, including Keeney's.
"It's just one of many examples we're going to see in Joplin of what's possible here," said Catherine Hart of Green Town Joplin.
The non-profit group that originated in Greensburg, Kan., is working to educate residents and builders, as many aim for more energy efficient and storm resistant homes.
"Help people see that there's lots of options that are very affordable," said Hart.
"It's a good feeling to see what I know will work," said Joplin resident Hugh Shields, another tornado survivor taking advantage of the opportunity. "I've imagined it many many times."
The walls of Shields' house were put together in a factory. Inside, they contain six inches of polyurethane foam that acts as insulation.
"We're estimating the heating and cooling cost on this home to be about $190 a year," said Darrell Leggett of Alternative Real Estate.
Leggett helped design the home, along with Goodwill Builders. He says windows on the south side take full advantage of the warm sun. And the safe room, which doubles as the master bedroom closet, is part of the energy saving system.
"The amount of energy that comes in those windows during the winter time will literally be stored in that concrete masonry product. Later on when the temperature drops, that is re-released back into the house," said Leggett.
Leggett also says the foam-filled walls, along with techniques to hold the roof together, make the house two-and-a-half times stronger than a home built with traditional methods.
The Joplin survivors show they're determined to rebuild smarter and stronger.
"It's a new chapter," said Shields.
