Building Type: Education
Size: 160,615 sq ft
Completion: 2023
Architect: JRA Architects
General Contractor: Morel Construction
ICF Installer: Dougherty ICF
This Louisville, Kentucky school district had not built a new middle school in 30 years, so there was a spotlight on the new Echo Trail Middle School when it opened in 2023.
During the build process, the design and construction teams faced demanding performance goals and challenging site conditions for the160,615 sq ft facility. Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) played a vital role in helping them deliver the thermally efficient building envelope they needed while expediting the building process and maintaining their disciplined budget.
ICFs make up 95% of the exterior walls, including the below-grade foundation walls, elevator shafts (utilizing the Nudura One Series), cafeteria storm shelter and angled curtain wall openings across the front of all three pavilions. Paired with a geothermal HVAC system, the sustainable design elements helped improve the building’s energy efficiency, ultimately performing more than 50% below the national education average for energy usage.
Completed on time and on budget, the school has earned multiple national design awards, including the ICF Builder Awards’ 2026 Education Winner & People’s Choice Winner.
