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Greenblock Worldwide Corp announced today that their Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Wall System has been selected for use in the 2007 New Southern Home in Orlando Florida. The 10,200 square foot New Southern Home is a showcase project featuring the design, luxury and technology which will set the pace for the lifestyle of the South. The home will feature the latest and most innovative products available in the marketplace and is being built for display during the 29th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) being held at the Orange County Convention Center July 12-14, 2007. The home will also be open to the public after the Conference.

The New Southern Home program is backed by the Florida Home Builders Association and is vastly considered the premiere show home in the Southeast with its roots dating back to 1988. Like its predecessors, the 2007 New Southern Home promises to carry on this grand tradition and not disappoint its varied audience with the spectacular home presented.

James M Krantz Construction Corporation www.krantzconstruction.com has been selected to design and build the 2007 New Southern Home. “One of the main goals for the house is to be as environmentally friendly, or "green" as possible”, says owner Jim Krantz. “We chose Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for the exterior walls of the house because of their extreme energy efficiency and Greenblock was the natural selection because they are a Florida based company that offers a total solution of both supplying and installing their ICF’s.”

“Greenblock is proud to be a part of this project”, says Jim Leatherman, Greenblock National Sales Manager. “We’re looking forward to introducing builders and home owners to energy conserving, sustainable and environmentally responsible building technologies”.

Ultimately, the mission of the New Southern Home is two-fold: to celebrate innovative and creative architecture, building and interior design, as well as encouraging industry suppliers and community members to join forces.

For more information on the showcase homes visit the SEBC Show web site at www.sebcshow.com or see construction progress at the site via the web cam at www.newsouthernhome.com

This months featured project is an 8,000 square foot home built in the Sonoran desert just east of Phoenix AZ. Utilizing close to 10,000 Greenblock 6" and 8" fixed-web blocks, the unique home is a testament to the versatility of Insulated Concrete Forms. With 20 foot walls and 40 ft steel I-beams forming the massive covered patio, the home proved to be quite an engineering accomplishment. The most unique feature has to be the owners decision to cover the entire exterior of the home in decorative, molded concrete tiles...the same tiles that cover the famous Biltmore Hotel in Scottsdale AZ.

Determining the best method for attaching the 30 lb. tiles to the exterior surface of the ICF's was a challenge. However, they determined that the strength of the Greenblock sub surface furring strips spaced on 6 inch centers would be strong enough to carry the load. Metal lath was stapled to the polypropylene furring strips and the tiles were then secured with a mixture of mortar and thinset.

The home is the first of six Greenblock homes built by Dreamcatcher Homes of Apache Junction AZ.

This months "Greenblock Featured Project" is a unique home built on a bluff above the Indian River in Jensen Beach Florida. The 2800 square foot home has three stories and a full walkout basement, a rare feature in Florida homes. Built with Greenblock's 6 inch core block, the home is being constructed to withstand the worst of Florida's hurricane season. It will also be extremely energy efficient due to the high R-Value provided by the Greenblock walls as well as a natural ventilation system and solar water heater.

Thomas Cooper of Thomas T. Cooper Architects of Jensen Beach, designed the home and is also the owner. "I looked at several different ICF companies and ended up going with Greenblock based on their block design, Florida manufacturing locations and local, company-owned installation services. I've really been impressed with their level of efficiency and professionalism."

Check back often as we will post new pictures as the home is being built.

Vera Cruz is an 118 home Greenblock project by HomeCrete Homes of Bakersfield CA that is designed for the first time home buyer. Houses will range in size from 1,100 sqft. to 2,400 sqft. and will provide all the strength, security, and energy savings that come with a Greenblock ICF home. Scot Lopez, president of HomeCrete Homes states that “The project is already a great success, it was 40% pre-sold before the first wall was even erected.”

If you have a large or unique Greenblock project that you would like us to feature on our homepage, please send us some high resolution digital photos and a brief description including location, size/number of units, builder etc. Thanks!