Eco-Village in River Falls Wisconsin Uses ICF in Eighteen LEED® Platinum Homes

LAS VEGAS, NV. (April 11, 2013) – When Dr. Jim Farr, the Executive Director of St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity (SCVHFH) in River Falls, WI and the Board of Directors decided to embark on the development of an innovative, sustainable community and wanted to secure a LEED for Homes Platinum certification, he knew he needed construction products that would enable him to achieve his goals. Fox Blocks Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) was one of the construction product partners that proved to have both the experience and commitment to sustainability needed to be a valuable asset to the Habitat for Humanity home construction in the Eco Village.

According to a statement on the St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity website, “Eco-Village is based on a LEED for Homes Platinum, carbon negative, net zero energy approach to environmental, economic and social applications”. Fox Blocks (ICF) is assisting Eco-Village attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building status and is a clear choice for building designers to maximize points in the LEED rating system because the Fox Blocks series wall systems provide an extremely energy efficient building envelope offering superior strength, sound, air quality, and well insulated walls. LEED designs set the goal of building energy efficient, durable homes built to be storm/tornado resistant. Fox Blocks ICF is a solid monolithic concrete wall and withstands the worst of rainstorms, fires, and high winds. In addition to the benefits defined in the USGBC LEED system, ICFs contribute to sustainable construction in many other ways. The sound dampening of the concrete and foam is ideal for protection from urban noise and it is also a barrier to insects, including termites.

"Fox Blocks and Habitat for Humanity have a growing relationship, built on our common interest in providing home owners with well-built homes that are energy efficient. Eco-Village brought us together to build a unique sustainable neighborhood that benefits families both economically and socially," said Mike Kennaw, Vice President of Sales. "The eighteen homes we are contributing to, are built by the families who will live in the home and local volunteers. Fox Blocks is excited to teach Habitat for Humanity builders a new skill; ICF block installation."

Eco-Village is situated on five acres in an existing, yet vibrant and progressive neighborhood. Close to parks, schools and other amenities, Eco-Village will provide 18 new families an innovative community that blends the energy efficiency of a home, with the sustainable environmental and social awareness of a lifestyle geared to the future.

Dr. Jim Farr added, "Fox Blocks is the kind of partner that provides our organization with value on several levels; their commitment to community engagement, the donation of an energy efficient product, expertise in construction, and valuable training and craftsmanship for our volunteers. Their participation and support in Eco-Village will hopefully result in the recognition needed to repeat this new sustainable community development model for other communities around the country."