COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
DIVI LITTLE BAY BEACH RESORT
The $20 million addition to the luxury Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on the island of St. Maarten involved three connecting, four-story buildings to add 98 new hotel rooms. With the resort remaining open during construction, speed and simplicity were key to the project’s success. The buildings also had to be designed for seismic and hurricane-wind loads to withstand potential natural disasters of the waterfront location. Another factor was optimizing the building’s energy usage as energy costs are significantly higher on the island compared to mainland areas.
To attain the installation efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability goals, Divi Resorts chose to build with Nudura insulated concrete forms (ICFs). Even with a crew of installers who had no prior ICF experience, the construction went quickly, reducing the project timeline by 60 days compared to other building methods. The simplicity of the process with minimal materials and equipment needed on-site allowed the resort to continue operations during construction.
The project used ICFs for all exterior walls and demising walls to maximize energy efficiency and sound attenuation with the high R-value and STC ratings of Nudura ICF blocks. Steel reinforcement was incorporated into the insulated concrete form assembly so the resort will also be protected from seismic activity, tropical storms and hurricanes.
For the exterior finish, Dryvit TAFS™ was applied directly over the ICFs for an easy, elegant finish. This collaboration with leading Tremco CPG brands created a safe and energy-efficient expansion to this beachfront resort for customers to enjoy for decades to come.
Howland Green Business Center
The mission of Howland Green Homes Ltd. is to build beyond net-Zero. This ambition objective was achieved Markham, Ontario, Canada where the company developed the Howland Green Business Centre, a commercial building that will produce more energy than it will consume.
Dave de Sylva Eng., President of Howland Green Homes, was set on environmentally-conscious development that goes above and beyond the current building codes.
The net zero energy or zero energy standard describes a building’s ability to self-generate energy by renewable, onsite means which offset any energy it consumes.
To go beyond net zero, or to become ‘net positive’, a building must generate more energy than needed for its annual operation. Howland Green is setting the bar high for building development, not only with regards to ensuring a clean ecological footprint but also in terms of economic and energy efficiency.
The project included:
- Insulated Concrete Forms, totaling 20.32 cm (8 in) of EPS foam insulation
- Triple-glazed windows
- Geothermal Heating & Air Conditioning
- Photovoltaics (solar panels)
- Clean- and grey-water harvesting
- High-efficiency appliances
Alvaton Elementary School - Bowling Green
- Energy efficiency and conservation are top priority of the school district. As a result, numerous building systems and sustainable architecture concepts were evaluated and incorporated in the school.
- These include: – Sandwich panel metal roof system, achieving an R-30 insulation value – Geothermal heat pump system – Lighting and HVAC occupancy sensors. – Green building finishes – Natural day lighting.
- Two story K – Grade 5 elementary school with upper and lower classroom wings totaling 77,000 sq. ft. This project utilized Nudura® 12” on the gymnasium and 8” Forms on the core area of the building.
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Erlebach Residence- Colorado, USA
In this idyllic spot in Silverthorne, Colorado, the Erlebach family sought to create a dream home that marries functionality with comfort. Through their collaboration with the architect, they were able to create a durable, sound-proof home out of Nudura ICF blocks and concrete that captured their desired modern aesthetic combined with Israeli pillars.
The materials of choice – concrete, stone, glass, and steel – would not only shape their home but also enhance their living experience.
Nestled close to the national forest, they aimed to create a sanctuary with a focus on sound reduction and insulation. They found their solution in insulated concrete forms. Yet, despite the proximity to a fire-prone environment, the home remained unscathed during a nearby wildfire, a testament to the resilience and safety of the ICF walls.
This ICF home stands as an testament to how bold decisions, a desire to be one with nature, and innovative building materials can manifest in a resilient and beautiful living space.
Kroenke Hangar Home
“Born from a vision of sustainable luxury and innovation, this home has exceeded all our expectations,” said homeowners, Seth and Jeelan Kroenke, who also own Remote Alaska Solutions, Alaska’s first installer and distributor of Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). The couple was therefore intimately familiar with the strength and energy efficiency benefits of ICFs and sought to push its capabilities to the max in the construction of their dream home.
The resulting structure is a stunning display of forward-thinking self-sufficiency and sustainability, both of which were achieved with Insulated Concrete Forms.
The owners’ passion for aviation is evident with the hangar portion of the home, a space that can accommodate 3-4 airplanes with ample room for airplane construction. Due to their high thermal mass and continuous insulation, ICFs helped reduce heating costs and ensure interior temperature stability even with the hangar’s vast 58-foot opening.
Seeking panoramic views overlooking Alaska’s picturesque Chugach Mountain range, the design intentionally placed commercial curtain window walls facing primarily south to optimize natural daylight and passive solar heat gain. Furthermore, the concrete floors and ICF walls minimize thermal swings, effectively absorbing heat from the south-facing windows during winter days and re-radiating it during the evenings and nights. This natural heat retention contributes to a comfortable living environment and reduces the need for artificial light and heating.
The proposed 36-foot-high walls presented a formidable challenge in ensuring precise alignment and structural integrity. ICFs were the ideal solution. In fact, in 2018, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rattled the region. The still unfinished Kroenke home held its ground, showing the impressive resilience of ICFs to seismic activity and its ability to withstand the harshest of Alaskan winters.
Modern amenities also benefited from Insulated Concrete Forms, including an ICF-surrounded sauna and an impenetrable ICF safe room. During both extremes, from times of relaxation to emergency-preparedness, the homeowners will be warm and safe.
In the end, the Kroenke residence represents the epitome of sustainable design and resilient construction. “Our new home is everything we could have imagined and more. It embodies our values and is a symbol of what is possible with ICF construction.”
TOMKO RESIDENCE
In Thornton, Colorado, homeowner, Scott Tomko, opted to construct his house with Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) over traditional construction methods. The reasons? Simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and a strong desire for autonomy to build the home at his own pace. The ICFs proved user-friendly, enabling Tomko to take on the project himself with support along the way from Nudura and distributor, Rocky Mountain ICF.
Tomko’s daughter, a resident of the house, experienced first-hand the benefits of ICF construction. She highlighted the significant reduction in outside noise, creating a peaceful living environment. Moreover, the impressive thermal insulation of the ICF walls ensured a warm winter and a cool summer inside the home.
Apart from the insulation and soundproofing, the process of constructing the house itself provided a sense of accomplishment. Tomko recommends Nudura ICFs to other aspiring homeowners, touting that when working with Nudura, you don’t just get a sustainable product, but an entire team to help you in the building journey.
