Faswall Fire-Resistant Home

A resilient ICF home built for durability, comfort, and long-term performance.

This custom home was constructed using Faswall insulated concrete forms, a high-performance wall system made from mineralized wood fiber and concrete. The system provides substantial thermal mass, fire resistance, sound reduction, and a durable wall structure designed for long-term performance.

For Outside The Box Builders, this project was also an opportunity to bring together building science, hands-on problem-solving, and decades of construction experience. When another contractor involved early in the project became unable to continue, Ray stepped further into the process, coordinating with the Faswall manufacturer, engineer, client, subcontractors, and crew to keep the project moving forward.

The finished home demonstrates what resilient construction can look like when performance and craftsmanship are considered together. Behind the exterior finishes is a wall system designed to improve energy efficiency, indoor comfort, fire resistance, and durability while creating a home intended to serve its owners for generations.

Explore the Construction Process

The gallery below follows the home through multiple stages of construction, from the Faswall wall system and structural work through exterior finishes and completed interior spaces.

Click any image to open the full-size photo and browse the project slideshow.

See How the Home Came Together

This photo slideshow follows the Faswall home from construction through completion, offering another look at the progress and details of the project.

  • It was a pleasure working with Ray to build our wildfire rebuild…in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

    It was a pleasure working with Ray to build our wildfire rebuild on Amah Mutsun land in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ray was sensitive to our situation (coming from an emotionally challenging loss), solution oriented and provided helpful feedback. Ray and his crew became like family members to us during our build. When we encountered challenges, Ray would call me and we would almost always reach a solution before the end of the phone call. Ray respected our vision and helped make our dreams reality. If you’re looking for someone who’s talented, well connected, knowledgeable, and kind, Ray is your carpenter.
    Elizabeth LaBruzzo
    Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Ray Newkirk Outside The Box Builders Fire Resistant Faswall House