GREEN OR WRONG

By Carl Seville
Build it green or build it wrong.

Yep, I said it. Green is right. If you don’t build green, you are doing at least some of your work wrong. Not all of it, but certainly some of it. If you are building everything the right way, then you are probably building green, or very close. I am totally over the nay-sayers who don’t believe that you can seal a crawlspace or build a house very tight.

I gave a presentation on Green Building last year in Michigan and there were two old-school builders who consistently argued with me, insisting that they could never do the things I was suggesting — all of which were fairly standard high performance building techniques. During this exchange, another builder stood up and asked the group if their business was slow. Almost the entire room raised their hands, agreeing that business was off. The builder said that he built green, did most of the things I was talking about, and he had a one year backlog of work. After hearing that, the two old codgers left the room and let me get back to my presentation. Unfortunately for them, they could not deal with the idea of so much change and had to move to the denial stage.

My sincere hope is that they are the minority in the industry. Practicing building professionals need to make the transition to green building sooner rather than later. If they don’t, they need consider getting out of the business. Maybe look at selling used cars.

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INSIDE THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS’ SHOW

By Sandy Boda
Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

Each year, thousands of companies from across the planet gather for the International Builders’ Show® (IBS), a showcase of the latest products and technologies available to builders. This year’s show brought together a record 1,900 companies exhibiting products in 300 different categories over one million square feet space. “It’s like a mega-mall with something new every year,â€? says Robert Frost, a Missouri builder. “While the show is not open to the public, we do have a sneak peek of the latest products to come from the show. Look for them in show rooms and new homes in the upcoming year!”

New innovations in the world of bathrooms and showers were abundant. Notable was a shower with multiple spray settings that can work separately or together to create a full body shower experience. Another advancement in the shower world is a digital touch screen pad mounted on the shower wall that controls all showerheads, sprays, and temperatures, even allowing homeowners to customize and save their settings. On the subject of showering, imagine stepping right out of a hot shower into a warm towel. That’s possible now thanks to a new towel warmer that fits into an existing drawer or cabinet. Up to four towels can be warmed in as little as 15 minutes.

Fireplaces are smoking hot right now and there was no shortage of fireplaces with style at IBS 2007. An outdoor fire pit with an English granite top could come in useful to homeowners who enjoy nights outdoors. When you’re done with the fire pit, simply cap it with the coffee table-like top and the entertaining can continue. For those preferring their fireplace indoors, a new fireplace was unveiled that uses a combustion system to simulate the look and feel of a real fire without the hassle of using real wood.

For those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, products at IBS 2007 proved that the kitchen can be the most stylish room in a home. New pull-down wand faucets were displayed where magnets reconnect the pull-down wand with the main faucet creating one clean and sleek line for the kitchen sink. New ovens were also hot — some capable of cooking up to 15 times faster than current conventional ovens. Oven capacity was also greatly increased in many models. A new drawer dishwasher was also displayed. A stacked pair is designed to fir into the same space as a standard 24 inch dishwasher and the look fits perfectly into the kitchen. Dishwasher capacity doesn’t change and electronic control panels hidden on the top of the drawer give it a sleek look.

Home security products were a huge trend. After becoming a must have feature on cars, keyless is making its way onto the home front. New home keyless entry systems displayed showed off new systems with easy to read keypads accessible for all ages and abilities that give you the additional peace of mind should you forget your keys.

The first ever complete home design package was launched during the show, allowing builders or buyers to customize everything in a home to match including lighting, ceiling fans, doors, locks, faucets and bath accessories.

For more information on the exciting things you have to look forward to in the world of home products, contact your local home builders association or visit www.nahb.org/forconsumers. To sign up for NAHB’s free consumer e-newsletter, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.nahb.org/housekeys” www.nahb.org/housekeys.

(Sandra J. (Sandy) Boda attended the 2007 International Builders Show in Orlando, Fl. The HBA of Midwest Georgia serves a membership of approximately 800 builders and associatie members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The association can be contacted at 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net.)

Add comment March 22nd, 2007

THE HOME OF THE FUTURE

By Jeff Waddle, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

The phrase “Home of the Future” evokes Jetsons-like surroundings, with every homeowner’s desire being fulfilled by the simple touch of a button or voice-commanded robots.

While most episodes of the Jetsons were made in the 1960s and 1970s, the life depicted in the cartoon series took place in the 21st century-modern life as we know it. And although the family’s Skypad Apartments and vacations to Venus may still be far off, the Home of the Future is right around the corner.

“There is a move from house as place to house as product,” said John Connell of 2morrow Studio, a design/build firm in Warren, Vt. “With homeowners staying in their homes, on average, five-to-seven years, consumers are looking more for unique features rather than for a long term residence.”

“Consumers are far more educated and savvy when it comes to home design,” added Cheryl O’Brien, president of C. O’Brien Architects Inc. in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. “The bar for design will continue to be raised in the future, and more cohesive architecture will find its way into the modern home.”

Connell and O’Brien were two of nearly 60 architects and builders interviewed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) over the summer of 2005 to capture a view of the Home of the Future, circa 2015. The results were presented at the 2006 International Builders’ Show held in Orlando, Fla. in January. Below is a summary of those results.

Moving Upward and Outward

In 2005, the average size of a new-single family home was 2,400 square feet. In 2015, not much changes - the average size will be 2,300-2,500 sq. ft. Ceiling heights will increase, as they have for the past 10 years. By 2015, it is expected that most homes will have 9-ft. ceilings on the first floor and some may even reach 10-12 ft., particularly in upscale homes. Doors will also widen. Three-ft. six in. doors will be used extensively in place of three ft. doors.

Living Large

In homes of less than 3,000 sq. ft., the living room will disappear and will be replaced by a den, parlor, retreat, library or music room. “Entertainment will continue to be huge,” said Connell. “Features such as home theatres and wide-screen televisions will become more and more common.”

In many average-sized homes, the living room will combine with family and dining areas to form a great room with an open floor plan. Areas will be defined not by walls but pillars, arches, ceiling treatments or floor coverings. In upscale homes (over 3,000 sq. ft.), the living room will remain. Glass rear walls or a huge glass window will also become prominent in upscale family rooms.

Congregating and Cooking

In 2015, kitchens remain the hub of the house and will have upscale features in all home price ranges. A central island will serve as working or cooking space, and walk-in pantries, double sinks, lots of counter space and well-lighted areas will be present. In most new homes, wine storage racks will generally be included with upscale homes including built-in wine coolers. The year 2015 will also see an increase in commercial-style (or at least commercial looking) appliances, and most new homes will have a butler’s pantry.

In addition to kitchens, utility areas are becoming more upscale, said Al Bloom, president of Bloom and Fiorino Architects in Oak Brook, Ill. “We are seeing utility rooms expanding, so homeowners can not only use it for laundry, but for hobbies and crafts as well.”

Garages Grow

In most mid-price range to upscale homes, garages will be connected to the house through a mud room, although tandem garages will remain popular in some areas because of smaller lot size. Garages will be insulated and have more storage space, with average homes having a two-car garage and upscale homes having a three-to-four car garage. Garage door sizes will increase from 7×9 ft. to 8×10 ft., and garage sizes themselves will increase to 24×24 ft.

Separate and Equal

In 2015, master bedrooms will have areas of specific use, such as dressing, sleeping and sitting areas, and his and hers walk-in closets will be standard. For master bathrooms, there will not be two separate bathrooms, but there will be two vanities and even his and hers dressing areas. In mid-price to upscale homes, both shower stalls and tubs will be present, and multiple shower heads will be in most upscale homes. Whirlpool tubs will also be found in upscale master baths. The master bedroom baths will include linen storage areas.

Bringing the Outdoors In

In the year 2015, expect an increase in outdoor living. This will be evident in a rise in outdoor kitchens in upscale housing and indoor/outdoor fireplaces. Exterior wall material will shift to maintenance-free types such as stucco and synthetic stone. In other material trends, engineered wood use will grow significantly, and flooring will move away from soft to hard surfaces.

Bamboo flooring use will rise, and kitchen counters will continue with maintenance-free material trends seen in other areas of the home to include high definition laminate. “Natural materials will also make their ways indoors, as part of the cohesive interior/exterior trend.” said O’Brien.

Trends in Technology

Unlike the Jetsons’ technology reliant on elaborate robotic contraptions, holograms and whimsical inventions, home technology in 2015 is basic. In the average home, security systems, automatic lighting control and energy management systems are the main places basic technology will take hold. The use of wireless technology may also enter the housing market in a big way.

For more information on what future trends your local community can expect, contact your local home builders association or visit the National Association of Home Builders website at www.nahb.org.

(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)

Add comment March 23rd, 2006

THE NEW AMERICAN HOME 2006 IS FRIENDLY TO BOTH ENVIRONMENT AND BABY-BOOMERS

By Jeff Waddle, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

Each year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) builds a house in its International Builders’ Show (IBS) convention city to showcase “state-of-the-art” home-building techniques and materials. As the official show home of IBS, The New American Home® (TNAH) 2006 spotlights the newest trends in housing design, construction and décor. TNAH 2006 can provide consumers with a leading edge look at elements to consider in a future home, or can inspire new ideas to be incorporated into a current residence.

NAHB’s TNAH 2006 is located in Windermere, Fla. on the shores of Lake Burden. TNAH was built to introduce this community to the green building, by making the home environmentally friendly. With earth-friendly materials, the house’s shallow depth allows for cross-ventilation when the air conditioning is off and its deep overhangs and loggias help keep out direct sun. The Energy Star® rated home is set to be the first certified “green” home built through TNAH program since it began in 1984. The certification verifies that the house uses environmentally sensitive materials and principles in its construction, and that it is energy-efficient.

The 10,023 sq. ft. show home, valued at approximately $4.2 million, includes a wide variety of amenities such as a media room, game room and lakefront spa-room featuring high-tech water features, as well as a massage table. The house also includes universally designed features, allowing young retirees or those approaching retirement to more comfortably age-in-place. Such features include a wheelchair accessible elevator and integrated towel and grab bars in the bathrooms.

In contrast to previous show homes, TNAH 2006 will spread itself the entire length of the lot to take in the full expanse of the lakefront. Plenty of outdoor spaces are included in the home, including loggias and two fireplaces, and are designed to flow into interior spaces with the use of hidden pocket doors. And its eclectic exterior facade includes Caribbean flavors and Spanish-style architecture, along with local lap siding.

To design and build a home that is energy efficient as well as attractive, builder Hannigan Homes, Inc. and the home’s architect, WCI Architecture & Land Planning Inc., consulted with Building America’s IBACOS (Integrated Building and Construction Solutions) Consortium. Designed to reach a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 90, TNAH uses a number of high performance technologies and building materials. As a result of these improvements and advanced technologies, the home will use 46 percent less energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, and lighting than the builder’s standard home.

Consumers can visit TNAH 2006 online at www.tnah.com to discover these and other exciting ideas that can be incorporated into their own homes. Since its inception in 1984, TNAH has had the distinction of being both a show house and a for-sale product, balancing architectural freedom and the bottom line. It is a collection of ideas for the industry to take away-in large pieces, or bit by bit-and put into millions of homes across the country each year.

(Jeff Waddle, who is with David Weekley Homes, is 2005-’06 president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 650 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Butts and Jasper Counties. The Midwest Georgia association can be contacted by calling 770-716-7109 or at hbamwg@bellsouth.net. Formerly Southeast project manager for David Weekley Homes, Jeff became the company’s senior manager for Hilton Head/Savannah in February of this year.)

Add comment February 13th, 2006