This is a great forum!  I have been browsing through it and learning as time permits.

We are in the planning stage of a new 'green' house in the Texas hill country north of San Antonio.  We will be building into a 20% slope, so a walk out basement is a given.  We will have a partial basement (size will depend on the economics of cut/fill in limestone), a main floor (about 3500sf+1000sf garage) and a small loft/library (400sf) above the family room.  We want to create a flat (or nearly so) green planted roof over the main floor.  We may create an outdoor terrace outside the loft on the main roof.

ICF walls are a must.  Amazon Grid Wall is produced locally and it appears to be an interesting product.  Whether Grid Wall or another, the floor and roof construction is a question.  I have lived in Europe for the past 12 years and have become used to EVERYTHING residential being made of reinforced concrete, so this is my first choice.  Since a part of the lower level will be an "outdoor room", using an ICF product such as Lite Deck appears promising, although the 2" cover slab intuatively seems a bit thin.  Can anyone advise of the relative economics of using a Lite Deck type system over conventionally formed and poured slabs?

What are pros and cons of using bearing walls (of ICF) vs steel columns/beams?

Any comments or advice will be appreciated.  We will be in the area in August an plan to start interviewing architect, engineers and contractors.

Best regards,

Bruce

Bruce,

I have not lived in Europe but spend much time there on biz, Milan/Vienna and Prague. That is partialy why we are going 100% concrete. With regards to floors, look at Hambro steel joists. Scott Gruer at 416 674 8031 should be a big help. We are also going with a flat concrete green roof, again Hambro. As far as the the steel vs. ICF bearing walls, the ICFs are ready for sheet rock and mechanicals. Steel, your just begining.

Patrick T.

North of San Antonio, would that be near Marble Falls??  Mike Pilley of Mike Pilley Construction is an ICF distributor and builder in the area...they have experience....I'd love to do the install! There are many ICF homes in that area, I'd start by calling Mike and asking for Architect references...could help you with the legwork
Ian

We are on Canyon Lake, ±55mi north of San Antonio. Austin is just a bit furthe away.

Bruce