A National Stage for Structural Building Components

For the fifth year, the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) exhibited at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This year also marked SBCA’s third year serving as a sponsor of the event.

Held September 22-24, the 2026 Showcase brought more than 7,500 attendees to the National Mall, including federal officials, members of Congress, housing industry leaders, students, media, and the public. This year’s “Made in America” theme highlighted housing technologies and building methods from across the country.

At the center of SBCA’s presence was its “Big Green House,” a 3,000-square-foot, two-story duplex framed with roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels. Set against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, the structure gave visitors an opportunity to walk through a home and see firsthand how structural building components come together.

The Showcase kicked off with HUD’s first-ever Trades Day, which welcomed more than 75 high school and trade school students for hands-on demonstrations and opportunities to learn directly from industry professionals. SBCA was among the exhibitors participating, welcoming students into the Big Green House and introducing them to structural building components and career opportunities within the industry. 

During the Showcase’s Opening Ceremony, SBCA Managing Director Molly Butz spoke about the reach ofthe component manufacturing industry and its ability to contribute to increasing housing supply across the country. With more than 1,300 component manufacturing locations nationwide, componentized construction is an existing, accessible, and scalable building method already helping builders make more efficient use of materials, labor, and construction time.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner also toured the Big Green House, giving the SBCA team an opportunity to discuss structural building components and demonstrate the building method firsthand. Turner later conducted an interview with Fox Business from inside the house, extending the visibility of the exhibit well beyond those attending in person. 

The industry’s voice was also represented in the Showcase’s educational programming. Sean Shields, SBCA Director of Strategic Partnerships, participated in the “Meeting Demand: Expanding Housing Supply” panel alongside National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Chairman Bill Owens, bringing the component industry directly into a broader discussion about increasing housing production.

Sean also participated in stakeholder meetings during the Showcase, providing another opportunity for SBCA to represent the component industry in conversations about the future of housing and construction. Participating in these discussions helps ensure the industry’s experience and perspective are represented as new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities take shape.

Those conversations illustrate why showing up matters. 

SBCA’s presence at IHS is about more than exhibiting a house. It is about making connections, building awareness, advocating for componentized construction, and ensuring the industry has a voice when government agencies, researchers, housing organizations, and other stakeholders are discussing the future of housing. 

The audience at this year’s Showcase demonstrates the opportunity. In addition to thousands of attendees, HUD reported participation from two U.S. senators, 14 U.S. representatives, congressional committee staff, federal agency leaders, and 13 media outlets. 

None of this would be possible without industry collaboration. SBCA thanks Annandale Millwork & Allied Systems, the SBCA Foundation, Shelter Systems Limited, 84 Lumber, Builders FirstSource, BeLit, Habitat for Humanity SAW, Huber Engineered Woods, MiTek, Roseburg, Simpson Strong-Tie, and UFP Industries for helping bring the Big Green House back to Washington. 

For three days on the National Mall, thousands of people had an opportunity to see structural building components rather than simply hear about them. Just as importantly, SBCA had a seat at the table for conversations about housing innovation, research, workforce development, and housing supply.

That is why opportunities like IHS matter. The more policymakers, researchers, builders, students, and the public understand what this industry already does, the stronger the opportunity for structural building components to be part of the conversation about how America builds more homes.