Today’s headlines greet my husband and me over coffee: Unemployment levels have hit more than 11 percent in California. Tens of thousands of white- and blue-collar workers throughout the state are embarking on -- or continuing -- an arduous search for employment in troubling economic times.

Flash forward two hours, and we are on the jobsite of our firm’s latest construction project: a stunning private home perched high above the Pacific Ocean. We at Conduit Development are grateful for this project -- especially when so many of our peers are seeking work. But most importantly, we are thankful to be building for the future by employing a mix of blue and white collar workers who have joined the green workforce to create a sustainable, insulating concrete form (ICF) showcase home.

The project didn’t come to us by accident. In fact, traditional wood-frame plans were all but complete when our firm entered the picture. Conduit educated the owners on the many benefits of sustainable building, and the plans were altered to accommodate ICF technology -- without adding a dime onto construction costs.

Made of energy-saving expanded polystyrene (EPS), these igloo-like blocks are stacked like Legos, then filled with concrete to create stable, durable and sustainable walls and foundations. By using ICF instead of wood, homes require 30-50 percent less energy to heat and cool, feature superior sound insulation, and are wind, insect and rodent resistant.

ICF offers significant fire protection, as well, which is a crucial attribute given the wildfires that frequently ravage Southern California. In recent firewall tests, ICF withstood continuous exposure to intense flames and temperatures up to 2,000 degrees for as long as four hours without structural damage. Given that wood-frame walls would collapse within an hour, ICF offers a smarter, safer building choice.

It’s no wonder that from families of modest means to grand estates, ICF is increasingly being recognized as a wise and practical investment. Schools are also jumping on the ICF bandwagon citing such benefits as quicker build times, proven strength, cost-saving energy efficiency, and protection against tornadoes, hurricanes and fire.

With ICF and other sustainable building practices on the rise, green collar jobs are growing dramatically. Industry experts expect U.S. jobs in renewable and energy-efficient industries to increase to as many as 40 million by 2030. Which helps explain why so many workers are trading in their existing skills and knowledge base to go green.

Sidebar: Materials

Insulated Concrete Form (Wall System): Amvic Green Build System for 12" block; ARXX Green Build System for 8" block

Windows & Doors: Jeld-Wen, Custom Series

Slab and Foundation: Insulated by Amvic Green Build System

Roofing: Cementious waterproofing system and finish with clay tiles

Interior Walls: Recycled light steel gauge studs throughout

Interior Insulation: Johns Manville, formaldehyde-free insulation blown-in throughout interior walls and interior ceilings

HVAC: Carrier