Behind the Build
Construction on Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity’s (GSHFH) newest home is taking shape and it’s noticeably different than neighboring and previously built homes. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom Chestnut Street house in Holyoke will be built using insulated concrete forms (ICF) instead of traditional wood framing and sheathing. The project is a collaboration between the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Habitat for Humanity International to build 50 ICF homes across the country.
About the build.
GSHFH will utilize ICF blocks manufactured by Integraspec, which consist of 2-inch foam panels that are separated by spacers. The blocks are stacked together much like children’s plastic building blocks. Once assembled, concrete is poured between the foam panels. The 6-inch concrete core along with the foam panels create a super insulated and resilient home. The panels will be used for all of the exterior walls from the foundation to the second story.
The event.
View of the front of the house at basement level. The pieces that stick out on a horizontal level will one day support the porch.
The front and one side of the house.
Looking into the basement from the walkout entrance.
A view of the back of the house and the next level's foam blocks, which guests were invited to sign.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia signs the foam blocks.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia's message on the foam blocks.
The future homeowner's daughter takes a picture of the her family's messages on the blocks while Gregg Lewis, of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and Craig of Massachusetts Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association, sign the foam blocks.
On the right, two of the future homeowner's daughters and son sign the foam blocks. On the left, students from Springfield's Roger L Putnam Vocational Technical Academy also autograph the foam blocks.
Messages from Putnam students. "Dios Te Bendiga" translates to "God Bless You."
Juan Anderson-Burgos, Holyoke city councilman and legislative aide for State Rep Patricia Duffy, signs the foam blocks.
Lisandra Roasario, district director for State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, signs the foam blocks.
David Stevens, carpentry teacher at Springfield's Roger L Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, signs the foam blocks.
Back row: Craig Dauphinais of Massachusetts Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association; Guy Glodis, president of The Glodis Group; Gregg Lewis, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Chief Communication officer, pose for a photo. Lisandra Rosario, district director for State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez; and GSHFH Executive Director Aimee Giroux stand in the front row.
From left: Lisandra Rosario, district director for State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez; Craig Dauphinais of Massachusetts Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association; Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia; Juan Anderson-Burgos, Holyoke city councilman and legislative aide for State Rep Patricia Duffy; future homeowner Antonia; Gregg Lewis, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Chief Communications officer; Peter Maldonado, general manager at Construction Service; and GSHFH Executive Director Aimee Giroux pose for a picture.
A Construction Service concrete mixer truck is parked by the insulated concrete form home. Construction Service is one of our partners in this project.
A Chicopee Concrete Service mixer truck is parked by the insulated concrete form home. Chicopee Concrete Service is one of our partners in this project.
WWLP 22 News reporter Duncan MacLean (in red) speaks with future homeowner Antonia (middle) with her children standing around her.
A WWLP 22 News cameraman films as reporter Duncan MacLean (right, in red) interviews future homeowner Antonia (middle with black jacket). Antonia's children surround her.
Blog.
Video from the event.
Outside media recognition.
