Environmental Panel Systems built this full-sized “Brookstone” structure for show attendees to walk through. They left it partially unfinished in order to show the interior construction. It was one of two EPS structures on display.

Energy Panel Structures, of Graettinger, built the Idea Home for the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show in early March.

The 1,500-square-foot home, the “Brookstone,” was built in just four days along with the construction of a 600-square-foot, “Lakeview” display home for the show.

Both projects were unique because about a third of the house was left unfinished so visitors could see how they were built using structural insulated panels, manufactured by EPS.

“The EPS home was a huge success,” said Gretchen Kuriger, senior event coordinator for the Minneapolis Convention Center.

“The planning and building went smoothly. The show attendees loved the 2011 feature home, as was evidenced by the never-ending line to pass through the space.”

The “Brookstone” was a showplace of energy efficient design and technology. As designed, energy costs for the home are at least 65 percent lower than in a convention stud-construction house of the same size.

As designed, the “Lakeview” will actually produce more energy than it uses.

Bruce Evans, marketing director for MarketPlace Events of Minnetonka, Minn., commented, “I’d like to acknowledge the Home and Garden Show’s appreciation for the commitment and dedication put forth by EPS at this year’s show.

“The EPS Feature House was one of the better quality projects we have done and we would be excited to have EPS back to do another project with us.”

There were more than 750 exhibits at the show which attracted nearly 100,000 visitors.