Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greenest of them all? Debatable, I’m sure, but the other-worldly monolithic dome structure makes a very convincing contender for the most verdant off all buildings of the environmentally friendly persuasion. Impervious to rot and bugs, the dome laughs in the face of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and fires. Durable, cost effective, energy efficient and, most of all, green to the core; these monolithic masterpieces are popping up like mushrooms after a thunderstorm.

Whether you call them ‘micro-energy’, net-zero energy, or zero energy homes, the modern green home is designed to use very little energy. This means they need to be easy to construct, use recycled materials and must be super insulated to cut down on heating and cooling costs. Not only do monolithic domes provide an insulated structure, the construction itself is also highly efficient as the dome is built using only 2.5 to 4 inches of concrete; 50 to 70% thinner than conventional buildings. The structures are reinforced with rebar which is made from 99% recycled material. The domes not only save money on energy, but bigger structures can be up to 30% cheaper to build than those of a less emerald hue.

The domes are constructed by laying a foundation ring. A custom made PVC dome shell is built and inflated on top of the foundation. Polyurethane foam is sprayed on the inside to act as insulation. Once the foam has set, rebar hangers are secured to the foam. Rebar is then used to create a frame over which shotcrete is sprayed.

To move close to net-zero or zero energy homes, the next generation of monolithic domes are a hybrid of ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) and monolithic domes. ICFs have two layers of Polystyrene insulation connected by polypropylene webs. Once the ICF blocks have been stacked and reinforced with rebar, concrete is poured between the polystyrene outer layers. The ICF walls combined with the dome roof create an almost indestructible, insulated envelope that can use up to 75% less energy to heat and cool. Coupled with renewable energy sources, these homes become net-zero or zero energy homes as they produce all of the energy they consume.

In Ontario, the Great Lakes Dome Company constructs monolithic domes. In 2006 they caused a stir at the Toronto International Home Show with their mini monolith which was constructed to illustrate the techniques and advantages of owning a monolithic dome. For the curious, the dome can still be viewed outside Woolfits Art Supplies on Abel and Queen Street west.

Impervious to bullets, the domes have been unscathed by onslaughts from rifles and projectiles. The only damage during tornadoes and hurricanes has been a few broken windows. Concrete walls are unaffected by fire and the re-bar reinforcements adds strength to withstand earthquakes. Domes are the superheroes of modern construction and can be built on any terrain; mountains, deserts, beaches and even underwater!

David Shepler’s Incredible Green Building

When David Shepler decided to build a home for his family, he followed his lifelong interest in green building to create a home that combined environmental friendliness with modern convenience. Not only did Shepler build a gorgeous, sunny, spacious gem of a home (replete with bubbling brook and forest), he also built a home that requires zero grid energy. In fact, the local energy supplier has to pay him money for the energy his house contributes to the grid.

The new generation zero energy home (ZEH) combines a number of renewable energy sources, recycled materials and cutting edge insulation techniques to create a house that provides all of its own energy. A ZEH (also known as a net-zero energy home) does cost more to build, but US homeowners can expect a $20 – 30 000 tax credit coupled with a $5,000 saving each year on oil, electricity and gas. Canadians can take advantage of a number of equitable tax incentives visit Natural Resources Canada.

The secret to creating a completely green house lies in insulation. The house must form a sealed envelope to ensure that no energy is lost through heating and cooling. This is achieved primarily through ICFs. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are blocks of thick Polystyrene connected by 100% recycled polypropylene webs. The insulated concrete forms are stacked like Lego, making construction fast and easy. The ICFs are reinforced with rebar (made with 99% recycled material.) Concrete is poured into the hollow centre of the ICFs creating a monolithic wall structure; these sturdy concrete form walls are stronger than walls constructed with other materials including cinder blocks. ICFs reduce sound by two thirds and provide such excellent insulation that the homeowner is able to save 30-50% on HVAC bills. The sturdy insulated concrete forms enabled Shepler to use innovative building ideas like the ‘floating’ staircase.

In addition to the ICF wall systems, triple pane argon filled windows allow sunlight in during cold months and reflect it during warm summer months. A solar power system and a ground source heat pump provide the home’s energy. The super insulation provided by the ICF wall system means that the house provides more energy than it consumes, despite the dramatic fluctuations in temperature of upstate New York. Shepler also uses efficient appliances and a combination of CFL and LED lighting.

Shepler laments the fact that financial institutions have not kept apace with developments in the industry, making it difficult to get funding for zero energy homes. If you are wondering how much this puppy will set you back, you’ll be surprised to know that zero energy homes cost only 10% more to construct. The ZEH is able to recover that cost in 7-12 years. Throw in the generous government tax reductions, savings on energy and income from the electrical company, and you have a home that makes both dollars and sense!

Camp Davis, the military air field in Kandahar, is an inhospitable place. It’s hot, it’s dusty, it’s windy and the screech of jet engines and mortar fire are its sound track. When a new administrative building was commissioned at the airfield, there was little debate about the construction method of choice. Said 1Lt. Carlos Nixon: “The blast protection, near R40 insulation, and sound proofing furnished by ICFs made them an excellent choice for our mission requirements and their ‘green’ attributes a wise choice for our environmental goals.”

Aside from the environmental, sound proofing and cost benefits that ICFs provide, the military had to ensure their safety in the event of an attack. To this end they decided to conduct a little test of their own at Quantico Marine Corps base in 2003. They constructed a three walled structure of 8-by-8 foot walls with 6 inch concrete slabs for the foundation and roof. The walls were left unprotected by wood, stucco or brick so that they would have to withstand the full force of the blast. The blasts themselves would consist of 50 pound TNT equivalent explosions at distances ranging from 6 – 40 meters. Despite the thorough going-over, none of the walls failed. They provided a sturdy barrier against the onslaught.

Not only do the ICF wall systems provide security, they also provide a welcome respite from the noise. With a transmission class rating of over 50, ICFs provide a barrier that keeps the jet noise out and the cool air in. HVAC costs decrease between 30-50% thanks to the insulation ICFs provide – a big consideration for a place as hot as Kandahar.

Cost saving, safe and environmentally responsible, ICFs are the perfect choice for building in difficult circumstances.

Find the answers to these ICF questions and discover why building with insulated concrete forms is no trivial pursuit. ICFs provide a safe, durable and environmentally friendly alternative to regular building methods.

Q: What are insulated concrete forms?

A: Insulated Concrete forms are inter-locking modular units consisting of an exterior shell of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) held together by plastic webs. The blocks are stacked and locked into place in the same way you would use Lego pieces. They are reinforced with rebar and concrete is then poured into the hollow interior. This provides interior and exterior insulation and ensures superior structural strength.

Q: Are Insulated Concrete Forms environmentally friendly?

A: You can save up to 41 trees by using concrete products to build a home. Insulated Concrete Forms provide superior insulation and reduce heating and cooling emissions by 30 – 50%. ICFs are made from 60% recycled materials. The concrete poured into the center can also be recycled. The rebar, used to reinforce the structure, is made from 99% recycled material.

Q: Will ICF construction be more expensive than timber, brick or block construction?

A: Installing ICF may add to your initial construction costs however, with a saving of between 30 – 50% on heating and cooling bills, this added expense is recovered in 3 to 4 years. Since none of the elements that comprise ICF blocks are organic, they will not encourage the growth of mould or mildew and are not subject to insect damage. This means that the homeowner will save on maintenance and repair costs in the future. Global warming has resulted in an increase of severe weather. Buildings constructed with ICF technology are better able to withstand storms and strong winds, which reduces insurance costs and keeps your family and possessions as safe as houses!

Q: Will my construction company know how to install Insulated Concrete Forms?

A: Most ICF manufacturers provide instruction manuals, technical support and training for professionals or homeowners who want to put up their own buildings. Amvic, for example, provides training, CAD details, training seminars, estimating software and testing.

Q: Are Insulated Concrete Forms strong enough?

A: ICF blocks provide a much stronger structure than other building methods. The strongest of these is the Amvic ICF block – tested by the Canadian Construction Material Center (CCMC) strength test – has a capacity of 865 lbs./ft². ICFs also reduce sound transmission by an incredible two thirds!

Q: Do Insulated Concrete Forms contain harmful elements that may compromise air quality?

A: ICFs provide superior insulation from external elements and will prevent pollens, pollutants and dust from entering your home. No CFCs, HCFCs or formaldehyde is used during manufacture and ICFs contain no asbestos.