Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA
Type: Education
ICF Use: 66,500 sq. ft.
Total Project Construction Time: 70 weeks
ICF Installation Time: 120 days
Completed: 2019
Owner: Jill Smith
General Contractor: John Daum, Childers Construction Company
ICF Installer: Ted Hartner
Located along Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Dune Lakes Elementary School was Walton County School District's first ICF project and their first educational facility in South Walton in over two decades. The school was designed to maximize natural light and sustainability, featuring expansive windows and skylights throughout its architecture to foster a bright “anytime learning” environment.
The building’s orientation and adoption of Insulated Concrete Forms optimizes energy efficiency and solar heat gain to reduce its electrical load by 50% compared to conventionally built schools in the region.
The decision to use Nudura® ICF blocks was driven by their superior thermal performance, durability and the manufacturer's technical support. The disaster-resilience of the ICF walls proved critical and ensured the structure withstood Hurricane Michael, which hit the region in 2018, while the building was still under construction. The building sustained just minor damage, and subsequent repairs only set the project back one week.
In the end, Dune Lakes Elementary School achieved its sustainability goals and will continue to stand as a safe haven and source of high-quality education for the community.
