Bravo to all these amazing creative minds. I hate wasting stuff that still has life in it. By the way, though I have read that some pallets are treated with a fumigant which is toxic. Generally, make sure pallets are stamped with “HT”, which means they haven’t been exposed to chemicals (at least not in the treating process.) Avoid unmarked pallets or those with “MB” for methyl bromide. Well, if anyone wants some really nice, bargain 2nd hand windows we just pulled out of our 12 y-o house to make way for a sliding door, and you live around Melbourne Australia, please check them out here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/112070272414?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

Hi Yatta, looks like a reno will add function, value, practicality to your home especially needed right now with little people. You need to be able to see the whole are for safety. So I have a string of questions: Which way is north and do you have shade to the windows on the second floor? How many people living there? Do you or your husband like to cook? How often do you shop? What size fridge? Do you bake: would a pantry/ appliance cupboard be ideal for your style of cooking? What rooms are next to the kitchen and are their sizes convenient for your needs? Were you thinking to knock out wall between kitchen and tv space? Do you have visitors for BBQs, parties, house guests, family gatherings: ie how many do you cater for maximum? And dimensions for the rooms. Once we have answers to those and probably more(!) then we can begin to piece together an overall idea of what will suits you and go from there into how to arrange the fittings, fixtures, how the spaces will be used, where things will be stored, how the space will function day to day, week ends or for crowd gatherings! Lots might seem irrelevant but it is not. It is essential to gather heaps of information required to glean the overall running of your home. Happy to help from here. Look at my www for ideas too. Cheers Margot

This Two Storey house was designed by StudioMarioRenzi using Insulated Foam blocks and panels. We worked closely with the owners to get the most effective design. The simplified form of the external walls enabled them to construct the IFB walls by themselves. With our assistance we help them to construct a home that is very unique. Hats off to the two of them, they did a fantastic job! Internal view External view

Thank you. The level of insulation provided by ICF construction depends on the type of ICF system is used and the thickness of insulation, but it is often greater than R3. In Australia the insulation levels achieved in ICF construction is in the range of R3 to R6 . We used the 203mm foam blocks that gives an overall width of around 225mm.