ICF Construction

Location: 22223 Seventh Ave. S., Des Moines

Owner/developer: Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association

Project team: Hard Core Construction, general contractor; Architectural Werks, architect; DCI, structural engineer; Artistic Concrete Design, ICD Decorative Concrete, Belarde Construction, Greater Seattle Concrete, Nan-Jewell, RC Concrete and Chuckanut Mountain Construction, concrete contractors; and Miles Sand & Gravel, ready-mix supplier

Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association’s new headquarters was designed to look like a house to demonstrate residential concrete construction methods. The goal was to create a model home made mostly of concrete and cementitious products while using it as the association’s office.

The project demonstrates a variety of assemblies and finishes that offer the benefit of cement and concrete, including:

Photos courtesy of WACA Concrete was also used inside. The floors, countertops and conference table were crafted from the material.

• Footings, columns, exterior stairs and ramp made from traditional cast-in-place concrete.

• Insulated concrete formed foundations and walls. The “house” portion uses 8- and 12-inch exposed anchor flange systems by Arxx while the “garage” or classroom uses a 6-inch unexposed anchor system by Quad-Lock. The systems offer higher insulation values than code minimum, improved structural integrity and sound insulating criteria required by the city of Des Moines.

• On the roof are Monier tiles made of pre-cast concrete, providing long life, heavy texture and high fire protection.

• Cementitious horizontal lap siding by J.M. Hardi features reduced flame spread, insect resistance and compatible thermal movement with the structure.

• Simulated stone by Eldorado is crafted in a river rock look, with pre-cast concrete caps and pre-cast concrete forms accentuating the building’s base, porch and windows.

• Both stained and stamped concrete topping slabs were used in a variety of accents, patterns, borders, colors and finishes.

• Stained and stamped paving systems were used at the building’s ramp, walks and stairs for aesthetics. Porous concrete paving was used in the parking lot to allow surface water infiltration into the sandy soils below.

• The kitchen features custom-formed concrete counters on wood cabinet bases.

• A poured-in-place concrete conference table was built in the board room and pre-cast concrete planters were used in the parking lot.

Finalists included the Martin Hash residence in Vancouver and the Hendrickson house in the Tiger Lily Development in Vancouver.