After nearly seven years of planning, a new Frog Belly Farm literally rose from the ashes. It was an entirely new kind of farm, constructed from an entirely new material: EcoBlox, created by Nova Terra.
Such innovation has resulted in Frog Belly Farm being named Green Builder’s 2026 Green Home of the Year (GHOTY) winner in the Alternative Building category.
Made from locally sourced compressed earth, EcoBlox exists as an alternative to standard masonry materials like concrete. Capable of regulating interior temperature and absorbing excess humidity, they can reduce a home’s energy demands by as much as 50 percent, and they can’t grow mold due to their pH value. They’re also windproof, soundproof, and perhaps most importantly, fireproof.
Not surprisingly, EcoBlox literally became the foundation for the Frog Belly Farm. Drawing from the adobe architecture of the Southwest, the development is reminiscent of ancient pueblos, with a cluster of buildings that surround the central courtyard.
The design decision came from co-owner Melanie MacKinnon, who wanted to bring a little more of her childhood home into her new one. “I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and wanted to rebuild with adobe blocks,” she explains. “Then I found Colorado Earth (now Nova Terra) EcoBlox and contacted [company founder] Lisa Morey.”
The new, adobe-style buildings, which provide a natural buffer from the Front Range winds—which can hit hurricane force during late fall to early spring—all use solar energy for power, courtesy of a 2.8-kilowatt system that produces enough extra energy to charge an electric vehicle.
The site consists of a 2,600-square-foot single-family home, an 1,800-square-foot farm manager’s residence, an 1,800-square-foot barn, and a 600-square-foot casita. All of them stay at a consistent temperature and humidity, thanks to their EcoBlox construction and a Panasonic Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) that keeps interior air clean and filtered. The airtight building envelope is insulated with perlite in the EcoBlox walls’ 3-inch insulation cavities, while the ceilings use iFOAM spray foam.
Finally, to keep energy costs as low as possible, the entire farm uses LED lighting, and the living spaces have a suite of low-energy appliances from General Electric, Viking, Maytag and Kraus, creating a true union between the traditional aesthetics of the architectural style, and the sustainability and cost-conscious features of modern living.
Cost was indeed a big factor in Frog Belly Farm’s overhaul. To combat the difficulties associated with a rebuilding project of such scale, the design team and the owners turned to several unconventional solutions. Many of the materials used throughout the farm’s construction were recycled, while the pavers in the courtyard were remnants from the original farm and reused in a new configuration for the revamped design.
To lower contractor fees, the owners of Frog Belly Farm opted into the HomeWrights owner/builder program, with the builders effectively serving as the family’s own project managers. This simple change saved the MacKinnons approximately 15 percent on the associated fees. There was an added benefit of deepening their connection to an already deeply special property.
Going from co-owner to co-manager was a big change for the family, MacKinnon recalls. “My husband and I chose to do the general contracting of the build with guidance and an excellent list of subcontractors from the company,” she says. “The learning curve was steep…I learned that the depth of skill and knowledge required to build a home from start to finish is vast. I was incredibly grateful that everyone who worked on this project worked so hard and well together.”
For construction purposes, the owners partnered with Connect Architecture, a Boulder-based residential architecture and master planning studio. As its name would imply, Connect Architecture strives to “connect” a property’s owners, location, and history. And for a property with as much history as Frog Belly Farm, a connection between the owners and Connect Architecture proved immensely useful, according to MacKinnon.
The entire design and building was worth it in the end, she notes. Thanks to the expertise of Connect Architecture and HomeWrights, the MacKinnons’ guidance, and Nova Terra’s EcoBlox, “Frog Belly Farm truly is back and better than ever.”
Appliances: GE refrigerator; 2012 Viking 36-inch dual fuel range; Maytag dishwasher; Kraus double 16-gauge sink with Kraus disposal and Kraus faucet
Building envelope: 15-inch double width EcoBlox walls with 3-inch insulation cavity; Colorado structural Douglas fir vigas; 2-by-8 roof framing filled with 8-inch CCSF; 15-inch-wide concrete foundation walls, with 3-inch rigid insulation centered in the wall
Cabinets, shelves, millwork: Cabinets purchased from Ben’s Recycled Cabinetry
Caulks and sealants: Henry Blueskin Protecto Wrap LVM 200
Countertops: Sparrow Peak Unfinished Natural Wood Maple Wood butcher block countertop sealed with Milk Paint’s half-and-half tungsten oil
Decks: Rooftop decks
Doors and hardware: Marvin Elevate
Electrical: 200-amp conduit in wall
Exterior finishes: Earthaus Natural Lime Stucco coarse finish, chamomile
Fire protection: Built of compressed Earth block; landscaped with 20 feet of 0.75-inch granite gravel; NFPA 13D interior sprinkler
Flooring: Cement slab
Garage doors: C.H.I. 2147 Skyline Flush insulated
Home controls: Uponor wireless
HVAC/ducts: Radiant heat; Panasonic ERV
Insulation: Perlite between EcoBlox walls; iFOAM spray foam in ceiling
Landscaping: Remnant pavers in courtyard; 0.75-inch granite gravel; grass
Lighting: 100 percent LED interior and exterior lighting
Paints and stains: Earthaus interior lime plaster sand finish, bone
Plumbing/plumbing fixtures: Toilets: American Standard Cadet 12-inch; Sink fixtures: Delta; Tubs American Standard, and MAAX
Renewable Energy Systems (solar, wind, etc.): 2.58-kilowatt Photovoltaic Solar System
Roof: Flat roofs TPO; Pitchroof is asphalt shingle
Telecommunications: Starlink
Ventilation: Panasonic ERV
Water heating: Triangle Tube Instinct Boiler
Windows, skylights, patio doors: Marvin Elevate