This custom beachfront residence in Melbourne Beach, Florida, was the First-place winner in the Unlimited Residential category of the 2024 ICF Builder Awards. Unlimited Residential refers to any residence that is 6,000 square feet or larger. This very high-energy efficient design was also built to withstand hurricane-force winds, which was achieved through ICF construction using blocks made by Amvic by Alleguard, along with a foundation of concrete piles. Plumwall bracing ensured that everything was plumb and true.

This house is 8,900 square feet. Other ICF usage includes a 530-square-foot swimming pool, a 736-square-foot courtyard wall, and a 933-square-foot motorcycle garage. Out of 156 weeks of construction time, ICF installation took only 150 days. The builders estimate they saved 4 weeks of construction time by using ICFs. The project’s architect, Spacecoast Architects, and Kinley Construction, have been major advocates of ICF construction for more than 20 years.

Hurricane-Resistance
The house is in a 160-mph wind zone, and the owners had a primary goal of hurricane- and storm surge-resistance along with the highest levels of energy efficiency, says Czyrelle Talento with Alleguard. Site constraints included tight setbacks, State Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Design Ordinances, and local zone restrictions, which created numerous challenges. Some of the local code was rewritten to avoid ambiguities and to allow for reasonable design solutions.

The design included a dozen different wall heights, some approaching 30 feet in elevation. Multiple radiused arches, radius top window bucking, porthole windows, and second-floor cantilevered ICF wall sections added to the complexity. Insul-Deck was used for the multiple garage roof systems. “There are nearly 50 corners, varying in elevation,” says Talento.

A fully sealed, non-ventilated attic with spray foam insulation on the underside of the roof deck created a tight thermal envelope, reduced infiltration to an absolute minimum, and protected roof trusses and metal hardware from salt air corrosion. All HVAC systems and all duct work were placed within the thermal/air barrier. Full home automation throughout allows control of all systems with minimal effort.
During construction, several named storms hit Florida’s East Coast. To mitigate this risk, the project timeline was carefully planned, taking hurricane seasons into account. “The combination of hurricane-resistant windows and doors and ICF wall and slab construction ensured the structure met or exceeded building codes, and withstood the elements with ease,” says Talento. “The beachfront site’s topography and the potential for coastal erosion were significant concerns. To address this, Kinley Construction, which acted as the general contractor and ICF installer, engaged experts in coastal engineering to design appropriate shoreline protection measures, including a foundation consisting of nearly 100 cast-in-place piles, and large-grade beams tying them together.

Design & Sustainability
This home has many amenities including high-end architectural features such as a large arched entryway, which serves as a focal point of the home’s exterior. A parking courtyard enclosed by ICF walls was designed to house a solar array on the roof of the private and sheltered outdoor space. Barrel and domed ceilings add architectural elegance and depth to various rooms while radius walls soften transitions between spaces. A massive grand staircase is a showstopper in the home’s design. The ICF pool, designed with various features such as in-pool seating areas and custom lighting, provides superior insulation and durability.
High-efficiency impact-rated windows and doors further enhance the thermal and air barrier envelope, and tinted “turtle-friendly” glass was utilized as the area is a designated sea turtle nesting refuge.

A full solar PV array with full battery backup can run the entire home if commercial power is lost. Ninety-five percent of all lighting is LED. All appliances are Energy Star-rated. All horizontal roof surfaces are highly reflective white to reduce solar heat gains. “Kinley Construction and the homeowner chose to organize site tours and marketing efforts to showcase the project to industry professionals, potential clients, and the public,” says Talento. “These efforts served as educational opportunities for others in the construction and real estate sectors.” Talento says that the owners considered an ICF home in Florida as the only sensible option. “It brings a level of comfort that is truly unparalleled,” Talento says.