Architects Conference Highlights Concrete Industry Partnership with Midwest Habitat for Humanity Chapters

Last week, Build With Strength partnered with the Minnesota Concrete Council (MCC), to highlight the ready mixed concrete industry's support for Humanity for Humanity chapters throughout the Midwest. More than 90 attendees at the annual AIA Minnesota Conference on Architecture heard panel members describe efforts to demonstrate the long-term value and ownership benefits that strong, durable concrete can provide.

• Moderator John Lee from NRMCA Producer member Cemstone Products Co. described the partnership developed between Cemstone and a local Habitat for Humanity chapter that introduced insulating concrete forms (ICFs), into the construction process. The effort resulted in a quality home built for a grateful family of five. Cemstone staffers were also able to try out ICF technology themselves by helping stack blocks during the build.
• Dayna Norvold, Rice County Habitat for Humanity executive director, discussed how the features and benefits provided by concrete helped both the construction side as well as improving the ownership affordability for their families. They particularly valued how volunteers could easily assemble the ICFs to build high quality, energy efficient exterior envelopes.
• Terri Jeffries, director of operations for the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery, IL, introduced a new Smart Neighborhood™ affordable housing community planned for western Chicagoland. The planned development, co-sponsored by local utility Nicor Gas, will have 17 single-family ICF net zero homes equipped with renewable, electric and natural gas technologies.
• Micah Garrett, COO for ICFMA member Buildblock, talked about construction of a demonstration home for the Fox Valley team which proved the concept and led to the incorporation of concrete homes in that new community.
• Sara Svendsen, market production manager for NRMCA Producer member Ozinga Bros., Inc. Mokena, IL, discussed innovative lower carbon strategies aimed at further improving the environmental benefits of the project. Construction of the Smart Neighborhood™ is planned to start Spring 2024.

 For more information, contact Donn Thompson at dthompson@nrmca.org.