Groen Construction Residential Project, Granite State Sanctuary, Earns National Recognition for ICF Excellence
General Contractor: Groen Construction
Architect: Studio B-E, Kittery, Maine
Builder: CIB Custom Homes
ICF Supplier: Atlantic Builders Supply Northeast
The beautiful Granite State Sanctuary, built by Groen Construction with Nudura insulated concrete forms (ICFs), was named a top three finalist in the 2026 nationwide ICF Builder Awards, earning recognition in the “Unlimited Residential” category. The distinction places the project among the most advanced ICF residential builds in North America and highlights the growing role of high-performance wall systems in custom residential construction.
Situated in New Hampshire, the project incorporates more than 19,000 square feet of insulated concrete form construction, extending beyond the exterior walls to include a structural ICF floor system and an indoor pool environment. The residence is defined by dramatic rooflines, complex geometries, and cathedral ceilings soaring to 22 feet, reflecting a balance of architectural inspiration, precision execution, and high-performance building practices. The recognition highlights the collaborative effort between Groen Construction, CIB Custom Homes, Atlantic Builders Supply Northeast, and Studio B-E, whose coordinated approach was central to successfully realizing the project’s design and performance objectives.
ICF Construction to Prioritize Energy Efficiency
The Granite State Sanctuary was designed from the outset to prioritize energy efficiency, structural resilience, and long-term durability. Groen Construction selected Nudura ICFs to create a monolithic concrete wall assembly that delivers exceptional thermal performance, airtightness, and load-bearing strength — attributes that are increasingly critical under evolving regional energy codes.
The Nudura system provides continuous insulation on both sides of the concrete core, significantly reducing thermal bridging while supporting consistent interior temperatures year-round. This approach contributes to lower heating and cooling loads and helps the project meet stringent energy-performance targets without relying on complex multi-layer wall assemblies. The inherent airtightness of ICF construction also supports verified blower-door results, a key metric in high-performance residential projects.
Streamlined Construction
From a construction perspective, Nudura ICFs allowed Groen Construction to streamline the build process while maintaining precision across complex architectural elements. The system’s modular design supports efficient installation, reduced material waste, and provides a stable substrate for finishes. These factors improve predictability on site and help keep projects on schedule.
The “Unlimited Residential” category recognizes projects that push beyond conventional residential construction in scale, complexity and performance. The Granite State Sanctuary exemplifies this standard, demonstrating how ICF construction can support ambitious design goals while delivering measurable performance benefits.
Being named a top three finalist in the 2026 ICF Builder Awards underscores the project’s success in integrating design, engineering, and construction into a cohesive, high-performing residence and reinforces Groen Construction’s leadership in advanced ICF building practices.
The ICF Builder Awards are sponsored and organized by ICF Builder magazine, the leading trade publication for the insulating concrete forms industry. They are supported by a range of industry sponsors that contribute to the awards program each year. The awards are presented annually in January at the World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas, where winning teams and projects are showcased to the industry.
