ICFs Serve Critical Role in Illinois’ First Net Zero Project

More than 150 onlookers were on hand as ground was broken for a new Habitat for Humanity neighborhood featuring 17 affordable concrete homes (one of which is seen here) being built west of Chicago in Aurora, IL, reports NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Donn Thompson. The project is being realized through a partnership of local natural gas utility Nicor and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. With the support of NRMCA’s commitment to affordable housing nationwide, Fox Valley was able to build its first ICF home last year, leading to the commitment to use the more volunteer-friendly insulating concrete form (ICF) wall technology in the advanced net zero project.

Dubbed Project Green Freedom, the neighborhood represents a bold commitment to innovative approaches in affordable housing, Thompson said. Higher energy efficiency and greater resilience will be possible with exterior walls built with NRMCA member BuildBlock® ICFs. The simpler, more straightforward construction techniques will enable volunteer labor to build faster compared to traditional construction. Low embodied carbon concrete will contribute to the carbon-neutral goals of the development.

Five or more three- and four-bedroom homes will be built each year for three years, ranging in size from 1,500 to 1,700 square feet. Other advanced features will include smart controls, high efficiency heat pumps, tankless water heaters and solar panels.

View the project's website to learn more or contact Donn Thompson at dthompson@nrmca.org.