The Lowenstein-Baddar House — Engineering Precision Meets Energy-Efficient Design
Our First Place Residential Winner in the Atlantic Builders Supply Solid Build Contest
Architect: Chris Novelli, N3 Architecture
Structural Engineer: Steve Goan, SJG Engineering
Concrete Contractors: Kyle Dargie, KD Concrete; Larson Ojala, Alliance Concrete
Steel Contractor: SL Chasse
Roofing and Siding Contractor: Chet Marek, Altitude Roofing
Products Used
- Nudura ICF
- Helix® Micro Rebar
- PreBuck®
- HYDROFOAM® Molded EPS Insulation Panels
- Simpson Strong-Tie
- Tremco TremDri 160
- Tremco EnviroDri
- Tremco Dryvit Dimple Board
- Tremco TREMPRO 540 Peel-and-Stick Waterproofing
- Tremco Dymonic 100
- Tremco ExoAir II AT
- Silvermine® Architectural Stone
Unique Features
- Gables constructed from Nudura ICF, not wood
- Steel superstructure sitting on reverse brickledge
- Roof is hot, designed for no ventilation
- Secondary heat source is planned as Heatmaster wood boiler, to operate snow melt system
- Sunken room to accommodate an indoor endless pool
An 8500 Square-Foot Project
In Harvard, Massachusetts, engineers Sam Lowenstein and Diane Baddar are building their fourth and most ambitious project yet — an 8,500-square-foot residence that demonstrates what’s possible when engineering expertise meets the performance advantages of Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and Tremco’s integrated building-envelope solutions. The result is a meticulously constructed home designed for lasting strength, comfort and energy efficiency.
Lowenstein and Baddar are both electrical engineers that bring years of technical experience to the project — she in software and systems engineering, and he in electrical engineering — with backgrounds that drive a meticulous approach to every system in the home. The structure combines approximately 20,000 square feet of Nudura forms with Helix® Micro Rebar reinforcement, HYDROFOAM for in-floor heat, PreBuck and integrated envelope components that together deliver durability, thermal stability and design freedom. Some Tremco products gave extra value such as using TremDri 160 on the footings to prevent moisture wicking up the walls.
“We’ve built several additions to our previous home,” Lowenstein says, “but this one pushes the limits of what you can do as an owner-builder with the right products. It’s like a big LEGO project. Once you understand how the system fits together, it’s remarkably straightforward.” The homeowners partnered with Atlantic Builders Supply and Kyle Dargie of KD Concrete, who provided guidance and on-site assistance with concrete placement.
Strength, Simplicity and Superior Performance
Every wall, floor and gable in the home is reinforced with Helix Micro Rebar, which replaces traditional rebar to improve strength, flexibility and crack resistance. “Helix made a huge difference in speed and quality,” Lowenstein says. “It’s stronger, easier to use, and gives us confidence in the structure’s long-term performance.”
Combined with Nudura’s continuous insulation and Tremco’s waterproofing membrane, the result is a highly energy-efficient envelope that manages heat flow, moisture, and air infiltration far better than conventional framing. The home’s solid concrete core acts as a thermal mass, slowly absorbing and releasing heat to maintain a consistent interior temperature. “The concrete doesn’t just insulate — it moderates temperature,” Lowenstein explains. “It heats and cools gradually, which means less energy is needed to stay comfortable.” The design goal is for the 15kW of solar power to be able to produce more energy than the home uses.
Radiant Comfort and Smart Energy Design
The project’s heating strategy demonstrates how engineering insight and Nudura’s versatility work hand-in-hand. The home features three floors of radiant heating, including the lower level and garage, using more than 3600 square feet of HYDROFOAM® EPS radiant heat insulation with PEX tubing. Additional heat methods are used, including panel radiators in the pool room and Warmboard® flooring on the third floor and two levels of the turret.
With an all-radiant design, the homeowners achieved balanced heat distribution throughout the home. According to Joe Harnois of Atlantic Builders Supply, “Heat introduced anywhere in the building travels evenly throughout the home, maintaining comfort and stable humidity. On the upper floor and parts of the turret — where BTU needs were different — they used Warmboard for faster response. It’s a great example of engineering problem-solving using the right product for each zone.” Panel radiators are used in the pool room, since it has a raised floor.
Design Freedom without Compromise
The project’s complexity — including sloped, concrete-filled gables — showcases Nudura’s design flexibility. Lowenstein notes, “We created a computer model of everything, prefabricated gable sections, numbered them, and set them in place on the driveway indicating exactly where they belonged. The installers installed them and everything aligned perfectly. We were able to calculate how much concrete was needed for each placement within five yards.”
That efficiency extended to structural design choices. The use of steel joists proved both cost-effective and time-saving, while the ICF system provided the stability and load-bearing capacity needed for vaulted ceilings. “People underestimate how flexible ICF is,” Harnois notes. “Once you understand the engineering, it’s faster, cleaner, and more adaptable than traditional construction.”
A Unified System, One Source of Support
The home incorporates a range of complementary products chosen to enhance performance and simplify installation. “When you use Nudura, Tremco, Dryvit, HYDROFOAM, and Prebuck together, everything is designed to work as one system,” Harnois explains. This unified approach ensures that the home meets modern energy codes with ease while maintaining a cohesive warranty across the envelope and structure — a key advantage for high-value residential projects.
Along with these Nudura and Tremco products supplied through Atlantic Builders Supply, the exterior features Silvermine® Stone accents that add architectural depth and durability. “Silvermine was a smart choice for this project,” says Harnois. “It’s a mortarless, self-flashing system, so it can be installed cleanly and efficiently even in cold weather, without the curing issues that come with traditional masonry. That kind of flexibility is invaluable in our New England climate.”
Building with Experience and Confidence
Though still under construction, the project already illustrates how innovation and field support can simplify even the most ambitious builds. “Sam and Diane are doing everything right,” Harnois says. “They’re methodical, they bring in qualified help when needed, and they use proven products backed by factory expertise.”
He adds that this kind of project underscores how accessible ICF construction has become. “It’s not complicated. It’s smart construction,” Harnois concludes. “When homeowners and builders see how easily these systems come together, how comfortable the interior is, and how much energy they save, they realize this isn’t the future of residential construction, it’s the standard.”