Floor Plans: Concrete Custom Home Conquers Unworkable Lot

Vogue Homes

Building on the Unbuildable: The lot featured a 35-foot hill and a slope that would challenge a rock climber. In addition, the city of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., for more than a decade had deemed it unbuildable. But John Vogstrom, president of Vogue Homes, conquered the slope and overcame the city’s reluctance. He built an 8,400-square-foot custom home on the hillside using Insulating Concrete Forms (IFCs).  

Different-Sized iForms for Different Levels: “What had seemed to be an almost impossible challenge was actually relatively easy because of the use of iForm,” Vogstrom said.

He used a 15-inch iForm for the bottom two levels. The bottom level features a theater, library, workout room, kitchen and a two-story atrium that also connects with the owners’ suite on the middle level. The middle level features the owners’ suite with a huge walk-in closet and two other bedrooms.

The main entrance to the home is on top of the hill.

Vogstrom then transitioned to a 13-inch iForm for the top level where a top-of-the-hill foyer great room, kitchen, screened-in porch above the atrium and a three-car garage are located.

Award-Winning Strength and Beauty: The Vogue home demonstrates how ICF construction can be used on an almost unworkable lot. In addition, the house “has a number of arched windows and circle windows, and the walls support large spans above the windows," according to Jason Fritz, of Cemstone Concrete Solutions, in Mendota Heights, Minn.

The house features a stucco and cultured stone exterior and 75-year roof shingles.

The house won a People’s Choice Award as part of the Twin City Fall Parade of Homes last year. About 8,000 people toured the home. It also received a first place award from the area’s local ready mix association.

Sophisticated Energy Efficiency: The home features geothermal heating and cooling throughout. There is a climate-controlled workroom and heated upper and lower garages. The annual heating and cooling costs are estimated at $600.

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Features & Specs

Total Square Footage: 8,400 square feet Total Living Space: 7,200 square feet    Location: On the side of a 35-foot hill, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Three Stories Three Bedrooms Two Full Bathrooms, Two Half Baths Heated Upper and Lower Garages Two-Story Atrium Lower-Level Theater Climate-Controlled Workroom Geothermal Heating and Cooling Estimated Heating and Cooling Costs: $600 per year Stucco and Cultured Stone Exterior 75-Year Shingle Roof Materials 15-inch and 13-inch iForm ― John Vogstrom, Vogue Homes

‘Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders, 5th Ed.’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

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