On November 12, Nicor Gas celebrated a major milestone in sustainable community development with the ribbon cutting ceremony for its brand new Show Home in Habitat Green Freedom, a Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood™. The event marked the official opening of what will serve as an educational hub designed to demonstrate affordable, reliable and sustainable living solutions.
Developed in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, the Show Home is now a resource for residents and industry partners to explore advanced technologies and energy-efficient design. It reflects Nicor Gas’ commitment to fueling a better future for its customers: lessons learned through this Show Home and the entire Smart Neighborhood will be used to expand programs and services for all Nicor Gas customers.
The Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood aims to empower homeowners with advanced energy management tools and energy efficient natural gas technologies, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable living in Illinois and beyond.
From left to right: State Representative Harry Benton, Sarah Brachle Wagner (Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity), Maria Manzo (Office of U.S. Congressman Bill Foster), State Representative Matt Hanson, State Senator Linda Holmes, Wendell Dallas (Nicor Gas), Meena Beyers (Nicor Gas), State Senator Mattie Hunter, Barb Beckman (Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley), City of Aurora Mayor John Laesch, State Representative Barbara Hernandez.
Collaborator Spotlight: BuildBlock Building Systems
Nicor Gas is incredibly proud to work with BuildBlock Building Systems. We sat down with Micah Garrett, BuildBlock’s Chief Operating Officer, to hear more about the company and their involvement in the Smart Neighborhood project.
Micah Garrett of BuildBlock leads a group through the installation of an ICF wall
Tell us a little about your company and its mission. What inspired your involvement in the Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood project?
Micah Garrett: BuildBlock Building Systems was founded in 2004 as a manufacturer of ICFs, which are insulating concrete forms. Based in Oklahoma, we’ve really pioneered the introduction of ICFs to residential and small commercial construction. We’re focused on building structures that are stronger, more efficient and built to last.
Our mission has always been to create better buildings by combining innovation and long-term value. That’s why we’ve had a long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity. We both believe that everyone deserves access to quality, resilient housing.
When this opportunity came up to work with Habitat and Nicor Gas, it was an easy “yes.” It’s a chance to be a part of an incredibly innovative project with Nicor Gas, while building homes for Habitat families that are really going to make a difference for the families moving in.
This project allows us to share our expertise, train volunteers and staff and showcase how ICFs play a key role in building a better, long-lasting home.
What specific technologies, products or services are you contributing to the Smart Neighborhood?
MG: BuildBlock is supplying the insulating concrete forms (ICFs) for all 17 homes in the Habitat Green Freedom Smart Neighborhood.
ICFs are a stay-in-force forming system for poured concrete, made up of two insulated panels on either side connected by a web structure. This design allows us to combine multiple phases of the construction process: framing, insulating, sheathing and air sealing.
We stack the forms in the shape of the home, fill it with concrete and end up with a solid, structural wall that’s insulated on both sides and ready for attachments and finishes.
How do ICFs support energy efficiency, resilience or comfort for future homeowners in this community?
MG: ICF walls offer a powerful combination of energy efficiency, resilience and comfort. By forming a tightly sealed, highly insulated building envelope, ICF walls can reduce energy consumption by 30-40%. The continuous insulating on both sides slows the transfer of heat, helping homes stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer—which translates to lower energy bills for the homeowner.
Beyond energy savings, ICF walls also provide superior soundproofing, creating a quieter and more comfortable living environment. They also deliver disaster resilience, making them more resistant to fire, high winds and extreme weather.
For the families moving into the Habitat Green Freedom homes, these benefits translate to real advantages: lower monthly utility bills, improved comfort and peace of mind knowing their home is built to last.
What excites you most about being part of this project that creates smarter, more sustainable housing?
MG: At BuildBlock, we’re passionate about building homes that are both energy-efficient and disaster-resilient—and this project brings that vision to life in a really meaningful way.
It’s exciting to see multiple technologies like ICFs, solar panels and HRV systems working together to create homes that are built to last.
Being part of this project that’s helping to redefine what affordable, energy efficient housing looks like is incredibly rewarding. It’s a win for the homeowners, a win for the community and a win for the future of homebuilding.
How does BuildBlock’s relationship with Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity align with your broader goals around innovation or environmental impact?
MG: We believe innovation in construction requires a systems-based approach, one that brings together the right people, technologies and perspectives. That’s why we’re proud to work with Nicor Gas on this project, alongside an incredible team of forward-thinking technology companies.
We are always learning. To be around this caliber of organizations, to really dig into what it means to be “net zero” in a cold climate like Illinois, and to have BuildBlock be involved in every step of the process, it’s been an amazing experience. We’re especially excited about the opportunity this project creates to explore how durable, energy-efficient building materials like ours can support greater energy equity in communities that need it most.
BuildBlock has always been about building structures that are strong, durable and energy efficient for the long term, and this project is a powerful example of that.
Looking ahead, how do you see the technologies or strategies piloted here shaping the future of residential development?
MG: This neighborhood is a real-world demonstration of how forward-thinking building strategies like ICFs can redefine what’s possible in residential construction. ICFs offer durability, energy efficiency, comfort and long-term resilience, all in one system. It’s not about building a home for the next 10 or 20 years, it’s about building homes that will stand strong for generations.
In this neighborhood in Aurora, we’re showing what the future of housing can and should look like: sustainable, affordable and built to last.
Our hope is that this project sparks broader interest in ICF construction and inspires builders, developers and policymakers to reimagine the standard for what quality housing can deliver.
Celebrating the Raising of the First Walls in Aurora
Micah Garrett of BuildBlock leads a group through the installation of an ICF wall
Major progress in Aurora: the walls are up at Illinois’ first Smart Neighborhood™!
On Tuesday, July 8, the Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity teams celebrated a major construction milestone as the initial insulating concrete form (ICF) walls went up on the first home in Habitat Green Freedom, a Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood™ in Aurora, Illinois.
ICF walls, manufactured by BuildBlock Building Systems, are incredibly energy efficient. They can reduce homeowners’ energy bills by 30–40% and are just one of many features designed to make these homes more efficient and affordable
Event attendees included Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL), Aurora Mayor John Laesch and Micah Garrett of BuildBlock, along with senior leadership from both Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity.
Barb Beckman, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, opened the event, calling it a long-awaited dream come true. “For Habitat, it’s really important for us and exciting for us to mark special moments. And this is certainly one of them,” said Beckman.
For Wendell Dallas, President & CEO of Nicor Gas, it was a momentous occasion seeing the walls go up on this home: “I’ve had the wonderful privilege of working with the team over these past few years, and now seeing this come up out of the ground to actually become a reality is just an amazing, wonderful, incredible achievement.”
From left to right: Meena Beyers, Vice President of Business and Community Development, Nicor Gas; John Laesch, Mayor of Aurora; Wendell Dallas, President and CEO, Nicor Gas; Congressman Bill Foster, 11th District of Illinois; Barb Beckman, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley; Micah Garrett, Chief Operating Officer, BuildBlock Building Systems
Newly elected Aurora Mayor John Laesch was also in attendance. He spoke highly of the partnership between Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity, noting that projects only come together with the right partnerships and a committed mission. He also recognized just how forward-thinking this project truly is.
“This is the future to address the climate crisis, not only by reducing energy demand, but also by creating a safe, hurricane-proof home,” said Mayor Laesch.
For Congressman Foster, this project is extra special. He secured $1.25 million in federal funding for the infrastructure work in Aurora. He has watched as this project has come together—and he knows all that’s gone into it to reach this point.
“So many companies right now are stuck with a short-term ‘it is,’” said Congressman Foster. “They’re not making long-term investments like we’re seeing here. We should all be proud that we’re actually taking a longer-term view. And that Nicor Gas is an exception to what we’re seeing from so many companies.”
Habitat Green Freedom is about more than just building homes—it’s about building a future. With smart design, lasting partnerships and a shared commitment to community, this project is laying the foundation for a new era of affordable, sustainable living
