A Pittsburgh development company that wants to build 25 energy efficient homes in Farrell for low- to moderate-income families plans to first build a model home at city council's request.

Council on Monday awarded Barnes and Miles, a global community development company, five 25-foot lots in the 800 block of Spearman Avenue for the demonstration home, which will give council a visual example of the project.

Barnes and Miles is teaming with Southwest Gardens Economic Development Corp. and Insulspan -- a company that specializes in energy-efficient insulated panel systems -- to build 25 homes at a total cost of $2.1 million.