The Moses Lake Washington Temple in Moses Lake, Washington, represents a significant achievement in heavy commercial ICF construction. The religious facility, built using Fox Blocks ICF, showcases the material’s capability to handle complex architectural requirements while maintaining the energy efficiency and structural integrity that ICF construction is known for.
According to Trina Jarvis, administrator for IMS Masonry Inc., the company that led the ICF installation for the project, the temple represents a significant undertaking in the region’s construction landscape. This temple marks the first time the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has used Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) in temple construction. Completed after 90 weeks of construction, this 28,933-square-foot temple was the Heavy Commercial winner and People’s Choice winner in the 2025 ICF Builder Awards.
The project utilized 21,320 square feet of Fox Blocks ICF systems, installed over 150 days by IMS Masonry Inc. under a general contracting partnership with Big D Construction. The architectural complexity demanded innovative solutions from CRSA architects to marry traditional temple aesthetics with modern construction technology.

Sustainability and Architectural Complexity
The temple’s design presented unique challenges with varying wall heights ranging from 19.5 feet to an impressive 50.25 feet. The structure features eight inside corners and 20 outside corners at 21.75 feet, plus 4 outside corners at 50.25 feet, creating a complex geometric profile that required precision engineering.

“We encountered a challenge in ensuring the stability and durability of the many large window openings, especially given the architectural complexity of the stone arches,” explains Jarvis. “Custom metal embeds were designed and fabricated specifically tailored to the unique dimensions and requirements of the stone arches.”

These custom solutions allowed for seamless integration with the window framework while maintaining the essential structural support without compromising the aesthetic design that defines LDS temples. “The ICF blocks were set to overhang the footing on the interior side,” Jarvis said. “Below the ICF blocks on the interior side of the wall, rigid foam was used under the ICF as a barrier between the footing and the interior slab to add a thermal break.”

The temple’s location adjacent to a freeway made the insulation value of ICFs very important to block noise out. The regional climate added another layer of complexity to the project requirements. “The insulating factor of ICF was ideal in an area where the temperature could change as much as 50 degrees in a few hours’ time,” Jarvis explains.

One of the most striking features of the Moses Lake Temple is its extensive use of Portuguese granite. The project incorporated more than 30,000 square feet of Branco Cristal stone, requiring exceptional precision in both planning and execution.

“Utilizing large granite panels demands not only strength but also precision in craftsmanship,” Jarvis emphasizes. “Granite, being a dense and heavy material, requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure the panels are securely held in place. We were able to place granite stone on the ICF with ease by gravity stacking the stone and using barrel connection ties to the stone that were drilled into the concrete core.”
The complexity of coordinating ICF construction with stone anchorage required careful coordination between teams. The ICFVL ledger connector system was used over the window and door openings to carry the loads above.

Originall, the architect designed the temple with two options for either cast-in-place concrete or ICF. Jarvis says IMS Masonry’s ICF expertise played a crucial role in the final decision-making process for the structure. “Clients are increasingly seeking reliable and efficient construction methods, and our history of delivering high-quality ICF projects has set us apart in the industry,” she said.

Industry Impact
About 63,000 people attended the open house for the Moses Lake Washington Temple. The success of the Moses Lake Temple has led to other projects utilizing ICF for its many qualities.

“The success of this project has set a precedent for future religious and community structures, demonstrating the potential benefits of integrating modern construction technologies with traditional architectural designs,” Jarvis concludes. “The temple stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of innovation and tradition, inspiring other organizations to embrace sustainable building techniques.”