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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

January/February 2025 News

This year marks the 20th annual ICF Builder Awards, which is the premier event for recognizing ICF construction. This year, the event ceremony will be held in-person on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at World of Concrete. Returning this year are the popular People’s...

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.