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Residential
ICF Structures (tie)

Photo courtesy of Smokey Point Concrete

The rear wall of the Bishop residence, made of ICF blocks filled with concrete, stands more than 45 feet tall.

Bishop residence

Location: Bellingham

Owner/developer: Sharon Bishop

Project team: JK General Contracting, general and concrete contractor; Durbin Enterprises, architect; La Hatt Engineering, structural engineer; Cowden Ready-Mix, ready-mix supplier

This home used more than 850 insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks and 160 cubic yards of concrete for its exterior wall system. Its rear wall, which overlooks a bay, is more than 45 feet tall. At the footing, the ICF wall system was cut to rest upon the indigenous rock that was part of the original landscape.

The ICF system used for this project is an Energy Star-rated system of expanded styrene stacking blocks that take advantage of the thermal mass characteristics of ready-mix concrete.

The homeowners selected light-weight ready-mix concrete for their floor systems to help reduce weight. The floors were outfitted with an energy-efficient radiant heat system.