Spring Branch Project, Spring Branch, Texas
5418 sq.ft. Under Roof, 2872 sq.ft. Conditioned
January 9th-July 3rd 2012
Designed by Greg Setzer
Contractor Custom Homes, Ltd.
IFC Installer: BuildBlock of South Central Texas

BuildBlock ICF Products
The home posed several challenges. Many corners were close together and windows were close to corners. There were 5 different plate heights throughout this home, and ICF walls extended above the roof line without load-bearing walls beneath.

The homeowners chose ICF construction and BuildBlock specifically for energy efficiency. The most unusual aspects of this home included the window finishes on the interior and the different plate heights in construction.

Energy efficiency was the primary consideration for this house. Rainwater catchment, LED lighting, spray foam insulation in the attic, extreme high-end windows and window efficiency were key components of the home construction. Finishing out the home included reuse of antique dressers as bath vanities, repurposing old roof beams as mantels and installation of two tankless hot water heaters.

High-end aluminum clad wood windows with wood returns ending in round sheetrock corners are a key feature of this home. Numerous different ceiling treatments with light coves, beamed ceilings, and a gas fireplace between the master bedroom and bathroom lend class and elegance to this sustainable design.

This project was eye-catching during all phases of construction. The large white house was a beacon to many curious about the type of construction and the completion of the final project. The reduction in air conditioning tonnage because of efficiency limited the cost difference in construction to 2% over traditional construction. Building an energy efficient home at this competitive price would not have been possible without ICFs and BuildBlock.