Shown is close up composite ICF block stacked and ready to create the walls in this large photography studio. Norbert worked for over a year with our client who was searching for a wall system which would fit his needs and perform well. This large space will house his darkroom, finishing room, computer room and office. A small bathroom and storage area were added in this large space which also has a gallery space.
Norbert looked extensively into the cost and performance comparisons between Rastra block and a sustainably harvested timber barn kit and adobe building. Ultimately it was our client’s final choice to make. Given the costs to build with this composite ICF are so much less due to the quick raising of the walls, the choice was clear.
As those who are familiar with building might know, labor costs are one key element which can make or break any project budget. Labor most often exceeds materials costs on most projects, so must be seriously considered when choosing the right wall system.
With labor costs coming in less, we couldn’t deny the added insulation value of this block as a serious plus to the project. Adobe is our local vernacular building material, whose thermal mass properties make for a building which can hold heat and coolness well during the seasons. However, as we often preach a bit here, insulation is something that thermal mass simply does not have in spades.
Meaning as long as an adobe home stays warm once it reaches it’s thermal performance peak in the winter, it is a great wall system. But in winter, if you stop stoking the fires and leave town for an extended period, the house will get cold and require a decent amount of heat to bring it back to it’s thermal best. All current local codes now require exterior insulation for all adobe buildings, but they still will not perform as well as a composite ICF block or straw bale home will.
We had never worked with composite ICF block prior to this project, and had heard a bit about this type of product which has been around in various forms since the late 1980s in Europe and ultimately the United States.