Reimagining The Ranch:
Blending Tradition With ICF Innovation
Every home tells a story — and this one began with a simple idea: create a space that feels both grounded in its surroundings and built for modern life.
When the opportunity arose to bring The Ranch project to life, the team at SuperForm worked closely with the homeowners to turn that idea into something tangible — an ICF home that reflects their vision while responding to its unique site and performance goals.The Ranch is a stunning 7,421 square-foot custom home nestled in the foothills of Southern Alberta, Canada. It was completed within its 24-month timeline in October 2021, and the ICF installation only took 67 days. This project proves that remarkable performance and design don’t have to come at the cost of speed, setting a new benchmark for efficient, high-quality residential construction.
The Challenge: Meeting Performance, Design and Environmental Goals
Inspired by the rugged beauty of the landscape, The Ranch’s homeowners set out to create a forever home that combines authenticity with performance. Their vision balanced rustic architectural details with a modern, sustainable barrier built for year-round comfort.
To achieve this, hand-built timber framing, copper details and fir board and batten siding were paired with ICF walls that could withstand the region’s dramatic weather and temperature fluctuations. However, some challenges arose:
- Topographical Difficulty: The terrain of the foothills posed logistical challenges with concrete delivery and site access.
- Design Complexity: The home featured corners ranging from 45 to 90 degrees, multiple tees, 45-degree intersections and gable-end walls requiring extreme precision.
- Energy Goals: The homeowners wanted a space that minimized energy use and kept indoor temperatures stable. Despite southern exposure, they hoped to go without an air conditioner.
The SuperForm team responded to these challenges by prioritizing precise planning. They knew that with strategic preparation, their ICF solutions would deliver the flexibility and proven performance required for this custom design
SuperForm Solution
SuperForm ICF
SuperForm’s ICF formed the backbone of the build, with over 15,917 square feet of ICF used to construct 88.27% of the exterior walls. The ICF walls were poured in multiple stages, including 4-foot frost walls below grade and 10-foot above-grade walls topped with gable ends. The total concrete volume reached 243 cubic meters.
SuperForm’s ICFs provided strength, insulation and design versatility, which was essential for aligning the project’s complex transitions and variety of corners. The interlocking design created clean, straight and void-free walls, ensuring precision for the tight timber frame and rock tie-ins.
SuperForm Hydro Panel EPS + 16:
The team installed 7,421 square feet of the SuperForm Hydro Panel EPS +16 (now known as the SuperPex Panel) for underslab insulation. With excellent moisture resistance and high R-value performance, the system was especially important in the foothills, where swings in weather and precipitation can impact comfort.
The underslab insulation further minimized heat loss through the foundation, supporting the home’s radiant heating system and helping maintain consistent temperatures while optimizing energy use.
Benefits & Results Achieved
Exceptional Energy Efficiency
The performance of the ICF walls created a thermal barrier capable of achieving R-60 performance in the attic and stable indoor temperatures year-round.
Despite its southern exposure, the home requires no air conditioning in the warmer months. Plus, during the winter, it relies solely on radiant floor heating for consistent comfort. This translates to significant long-term energy savings and an impressive reduction in environmental impact.
Durability and Strength
The ICF system’s steel-reinforced concrete core provides outstanding resilience against Alberta’s high winds and extreme temperature fluctuations. This durability ensures it’s a home built to last for generations.
The durability is especially appreciated in the basement, where the homeowners designed a gorgeous wine cellar to house some of their most treasured and fragile bottles of wine.
Design Achievement
The Ranch project proves that energy-efficient, concrete-based homes can be as warm and inviting as any timber, wood or stone build. From the copper gable vents to the hand-built timber framing, the ICF structure supported every architectural ambition the homeowners had.
The result is a home that looks perfectly at peace in the foothills, acting as a natural extension of its surroundings.
Client Testimonial
“SuperForm helped us build the home we always dreamed of. It is strong, efficient and absolutely beautiful. We’ll never build another home without SuperForm.”
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