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As I See It: Build for the Lifecycle

Build with ICF Corner: Why Insulated Concrete Forms Are Becoming a Go-To System for Green High-Performance Construction
By Trevor Brown
In 2026, “green building” is no longer a marketing layer. It’s a performance mandate. For trade professionals, that means one thing: Systems matter more than ever.

From the Engineer: The Current Fire Insurance Issue
By Dave Gowers
One issue has appeared in recent months which once again sets ICF construction ahead as a preferred construction method, and that issue is fire insurance.

How To: Build Stem Walls or Frost Walls
By Tom Patton
Every building requires a stable foundation, starting with footings and a foundation wall capable of supporting the load of the building plus resisting environmental forces. As the climatic requirements change, so do the designs for frost walls, stem walls, crawl space foundations, and full basements.

Project Profile: Echo Trail Middle School
The Echo Trail Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky, was the winner in the Education and People’s Choice categories in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. This school’s design includes a geothermal system to lower operating costs.

Project Profile: Miller Residence
The Miller Residence in East Aurora, New York, was the winner in the Large Residential category in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. One innovative feature of this project is its ICF-formed concrete green roof system.

Project Profile: The Abode at White Rock
The Abode at White Rock in Dallas, Texas, was the MultiFamily Low-Rise 1st Runner Up and the winner of the People’s Choice Award in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. This residential community of eight single-family homes boasts several sustainable features.

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IN THIS ISSUE

March/April News

The Hobbs Vertical ICF Wall System has become Pow-R-Wall, marking the next chapter of a proven system. Pow-R-Wall operates under Resilient Building Products, a construction solutions company focused on high-performance building systems. Resilient Building Products...

Why Insulated Concrete Forms Are Becoming a Go-To System for Green High-Performance Construction

By Trevor BrownThe Miller Residence in East Aurora, New York, was the winner in the Large Residential category of the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. Photo courtesy of Amvic by AlleguardIn 2026, “green building” is no longer a marketing layer. It’s a performance mandate....

The Current Fire Insurance Issue

By Dave GowersIn past columns, I’ve touched on a variety of aspects regarding the benefit of ICF construction: the energy savings, the ease of construction, the increased R-value, the reduction in utility costs and general operating expenses, and the enormous...

Build Stem Walls or Frost Walls

By Tom PattonEvery building requires a stable foundation, starting with footings and a foundation wall capable of supporting the load of the building plus resisting environmental forces. Some homes in the southern climate zones, where frost is not an issue, may be...

Echo Trail Middle School

2026 EducationWinner & People's Choice The Echo Trail Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky, was the winner in the Education and People’s Choice categories in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. When Jefferson County Public Schools broke ground on Echo Trail Middle...

Abode at White Rock

2026 MultiFamily Low-Rise1st Runner-Up & People's Choice The Abode at White Rock in Dallas, Texas, was the MultiFamily Low-Rise 1st Runner Up and the winner of the People’s Choice Award in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. This residential community of eight...

Miller Residence

2026 Large ResidentialWinner The Miller Residence in East Aurora, New York, was the winner in the Large Residential category in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards. One innovative feature of this project is its ICF-formed concrete green roof system. This home may be one of...

2026 ICF Builder Award Winners

The winners of the 2026 ICF Builder Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on January 21 at World of Concrete. This awards ceremony had the largest turnout in all of the 21 years we have hosted this event. We appreciate everyone who attended the in-person event, those who voted in the People’s Choice Awards, and those who shared the link so that others could view the projects. The ICF Builder Awards are the most prestigious awards to be given to the many fine projects created throughout the year using ICFs. This year, we received dozens of entries in 10 categories. We announced a winner and two runners-up in each category, as well as a People’s Choice Award winner in each category.

Six of the 10 People’s Choice Awards winners were ones that our ICF Builder Awards judges also chose as winners. There were so many interesting features of each project that it was difficult to narrow them down. The fact that the voters chose many of the same projects that the judges did was interesting because it demonstrates substantive quality and construction excellence that both industry professionals and the broader community recognize. Find out more about each of the 30 highest-scoring projects and which ones won the People’s Choice Awards on the following pages. For more pictures and information, visit www.icfmag.com/builder-
award-winners.