The Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) is a private non-profit corporation created by the home building community to facilitate the development, use, and testing of sustainable, durable, healthy, and cost-effective building technologies for people living in the Circumpolar North. 

The CCHRC Mobile Test Lab is fitted with nine wall sections, each constructed differently, to determine how retrofit insulation methods are susceptible to interior moisture

The CCHRC Product Testing Lab studies concepts and products for the building envelope in circumpolar Arctic climatic conditions. Current projects include moveable exterior window insulation and ground source heat pumps.

In this pilot program, CCHRC staff are monitoring ground source systems installed at a military base, a public elementary school and a private residence. This is part of an overall feasibility study for Alaska.

The REMOTE Wall System, designed for extreme cold climates, features an air and/or vapor retarder and rigid foam insulation over the sheathing on the exterior of the house. It is used in both new and retrofit construction.

Recently, students at Fairbanks' Barnette Magnet School won first place at the national School of the Future Design Competition. Students toured the CCHRC facility as part of their planning process.