Spokane Home Builders Association

2007 BALA Home of the Year with Floorplan

Architects:
Looney Ricks Kiss Architects

Builder:
Haven Custom Homes

The 2007 Best in American Living Awards (BALA) Home of the Year , Tucker Bayou, is a modular cottage built as an empty-nester vacation home in WaterSound along the Florida panhandle.

Nestled among southern pine and fronting a golf course, the home is also the 2007 Southern Living magazine “Idea House.” Though designed and built as a cottage, the 3,544-square-foot house also works just as easily as a family home — with clear differentiation of public and private spaces.

A Home of Subtle Space Distinctions

Homes often distinguish public spaces from private spaces by having the private spaces on the second floor and reserving the public spaces for the first floor.

Tucker Bayou draws more subtly on these distinctions, beginning with its two entrances to the home. While the front elevation faces the golf course, it is accessible only by a private pathway that connects to the other homes in the area. The home's more public entrance, the one that most visitors use, is at the rear of the home where there is a car park area and an enclosed garden.

That entry through the garden area also helps define public and private spaces. From the garden, an entry hallway brings visitors through a gallery. There is also a private entry into the kitchen from a covered walkway and the rear porch.

Off the kitchen are a family work area that serves as a staging area for groceries and an adjacent utility area. Public spaces on the first floor include the kitchen, dining area and living room. Private spaces include the owner's suite and an exercise or study area. The master bedroom has a private entrance.

The children's bunkroom on the second floor offers a retreat for the children, giving the adults downstairs quiet time of their own. Two additional bedrooms and a media room upstairs also provide a guest getaway — when kids aren't occupying the bunks. 

The public versus private aspects fit with the way empty nesters use this house, according to architect J. Carson Looney, of Looney Ricks Kiss Architects of Memphis.

“It's a lot of what we see in the panhandle region,” he said. “Homes may blow you away by what's inside. But there is an overwhelming desire to be understated from the street. Big developments (in the area) don't sustain value or achieve the price point per foot.”

Blending in With Its Environment

The cottage fits its environment with ease, both standing out from the forest setting and blending in comfortably. The roof's shape, with its strong cross gable, accommodates a lot of space, said the architect, but the shape also enables the house to fit into its elegant location.

A Big Home or a Cottage?

Nowhere is that understated nature of Tucker Bayou more obvious than the seeming contradiction of it being a 3,544 square-foot home and a cottage.

The home reads as an intimate space with human-scale rooms that allow people to feel relaxed and welcome in the environment. The architects achieved this by making the roof line seem smaller while delivering more space within the home.

The interior design elements also play to the feeling of the cottage. In particular, the palette reflects a quiet life and the bead-board walls, coffered ceilings and pine floor present a pastiche of cottage life that fits the empty nester vacation lifestyle.

The BALA awards, the nation's foremost residential design competition, are co-sponsored by Professional Builder  magazine and NAHB.

 

First floor
Click for larger image.

Photos by Jack Gardner Photography

See more photos of this house here.

 

Attention Boomers: Hire an Aging in Place Specialist for Your Next Remodel

The NAHB Remodelers of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with theAARP developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require these modifications. While most CAPS professionals are remodelers, an increasing number are general contractors, designers, architects, and health care consultants.

How long do you plan to live in your current home?

• If you're like the majority of Americans over the age of 45, you want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. According to the AARP, older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to age in place, which means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level.

How should you modify your home to make it more comfortable?

• To age-in-place you will probably need to modify your house as you mature to increase access and maneuverability. These modifications range from the installation of bath and shower grab bars and adjustment of countertop heights to the creation of multifunctional first floor master suites and the installation of private elevators.

Who can you rely on to modify your home?

• A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in:
  • The unique needs of the older adult population
  • Aging-in-place home modifications
  • Common remodeling projects
  • Solutions to common barriers

Here's a checklist to help you modify your home:

• Figure out how much money you have to spend on the home modification project.
• Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have had similar work done.
• Contact trade associations such as your area's local Home Builders Association or Remodelers Council.
• Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau.
• Verify the remodeler has the appropriate license(s) in your state.
• Look for professional designations such as CAPS, Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), or Graduate Master Builder (GMB).
• Ask your professional remodeler for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications. Be prepared to pay for this package.
• Select a professional remodeler with plenty of experience with your type of project. Remember, lowest price does not ensure a successful remodeling project.

For a list of CAPS Remodelors in the Spokane area, email Kim Waseca-Love or call at 509.532.4990.

Older Buyers Seeking to Downsize... but Not by Much

OLDER BUYERS SEEKING TO DOWNSIZE--BUT NOT BY MUCH NAHB Study Finds Design, Desire to Be Near Family Drives Decision to Move

NAHB - With the 55-plus population expected to exceed 85 million by 2014, the nation's home builders have been increasingly catering to the unique needs and interests of mature homebuyers, according to a new study that was released last week by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in conjunction with their International Builders' Show ® (IBS) in Orlando, Fla..

According to the data compiled by NAHB's 50+ Housing Council, more than a quarter of a million people will opt to buy new housing in communities specifically built for those ages 55 or better, and more than 100,000 units constructed in 2008 will be targeted to this growing niche market. The report, Profile of the 50+ Housing Market, also dispels some common perceptions about the older home buyer: first, "downsizing" is a relative term and, second, the vast majority of these buyers won't be relocating to the Sun Belt.

"Our data shows that 55+ home buyers may be 'downsizing,' but not by much," said Paul Emrath, NAHB's lead researcher on the study. "The average home in an active adult community still includes more than two bedrooms and more than 2,000 square feet of living space."

The report found that homes in age-restricted active adult communities were only slightly smaller than other homes purchased by 55+ home buyers in both square footage and the total number of rooms, including bedrooms and bathrooms, but were less likely to have a specialty room such as a den or library. In addition, the majority of age-restricted housing buyers (59 percent) indicated they felt they were moving into a better home than their previous one, although fewer than half (41 percent) said their new home cost more than the old one.

"These boomer buyers may be scaling back in their home size, but they aren't willing to sacrifice quality," said Robert Tippets, immediate past chairman of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council and an active adult builder from Utah. "They're still looking for new homes that are well-designed and have many of the latest bells and whistles," he says. "What they are 'downsizing' is the maintenance that comes with owning the typical home with the big yard."

"These consumers have substantial equity in their existing homes and greater accumulated wealth," said Mark Stemen, senior vice president with K. Hovnanian's active adult division in the mid-Atlantic and a member of NAHB's 50+ Housing Council. "They are discretionary buyers and their purchases are very much driven by a desire for the lifestyle these types of communities offer," Stemens said, noting that they are also buyers who are more likely than other groups to buy a new or custom home.

Grant County to Improve Permit Process

Grant County to Improve Permitting

The Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development has awarded Grant County a $125,000.00 grant to streamline their existing Uniform Development Code, with the goal of improving the efficiency of County services - particularly permitting. The SHBA welcomes this news, and will monitor the progress towards improving a system that during 2007 saw permit delays of 16-weeks or more.                                 

The County plans to form a citizen committee that will guide this very important process. If you are interested in serving on this committee and ensuring that the needs of the building industry are heard, please contact Government Affairs Director Steve Taylor at 509.532.4990 or via email: staylor@shba.com.

Don't Leave Safety Out in the Cold

During the winter months, construction workers, along with many other workers whose occupations involve outdoor work, are at the whim of Mother Nature. Weather extremes, such as high winds, cold temperatures, ice, snow, sleet and freezing rain, present potential cold stress hazards to workers. And, even though it's cold outside, we still have to work and get the job done.

When you work in the cold, your body uses 60% of its fuel just to keep itself warm. Because of this, the body tends to wear down faster and you can tire more easily. As fatigue increases, you are more prone to the dangers of winter weather - hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot and poor awareness.

Planning for work in cold weather is the most important defense. Wearing appropriate clothing and being aware of how your body is reacting to the cold are important to preventing cold stress. Avoiding alcohol, certain medications and smoking can also help to minimize the risk.

So, while it is obvious that below freezing conditions combined with inadequate clothing could bring about cold stress, it is important to understand that it can also be brought about by temperatures in the 50's coupled with some rain and wind.

When in a cold environment, most of your body's energy is used to keep your internal temperature warm. Over time, your body will begin to shift blood flow from your extremities (hands, feet, arms, and legs) and outer skin to the core (chest and abdomen). This allows exposed skin and the extremities to cool rapidly and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Combine this with cold water, and trench foot may also be a problem.

Read this article in its entirety and find our about specific signs and symptoms for cold-related hazards, in the January "Builder's Overivew", which can be downloaded here.

Hot Trend — Built Green Remodeling

More and more home owners today are interested in remodeling green. In fact, a recent survey by NAHB found that 46% of consumers expecting to spend $10,000 or more remodeling their home in the upcoming year are eager to incorporate green products. The problem is that many home owners just don’t know where to start.

As a remodeler, taking a whole-house approach to comfort and energy efficiency improvements by acheiving a Built Green certification is a great way to capitalize on this important new trend and help home owners start going green.

Built Green remodelers use diagnostic equipment to assess a home’s energy performance and offer home owners comprehensive menu of options that will improve comfort, lower utility bills, and help protect the environment. Improvements typically include sealing air leaks and ducts, adding insulation, improving heating and cooling systems, upgrading lighting, and switching to energy-efficient appliances, where applicable.

Built Green remodelers report higher profit margins on their jobs and an increase in customer satisfaction. Comfort problems that have plagued homeowners for years (i.e. too cold or too hot rooms, drafts, indoor air quality) can be solved with the diagnostics and improvements offered by 'green' remodeling.

For more information on how to become a Built Green remodeler, contact Paul Warfield at Inland Northwest Built Green today.

Consumer Spending on Green to Double Next Year

Consumers expect to double their spending on green products and services in the next year, totaling an estimated $500 billion annually or $43 billion per month, according to findings from a survey released early this fall at the Sustainable Green Brands conference in New Orleans.

The survey was conducted by Landor Associates; Penn, Schoen & Berland (PSB) Associates; and Cohn & Wolfe.

“The wave of research very clearly indicates an uptick in purchase intent for most consumers when it comes to green products and services, particularly those that are relatively simple to implement such as installing environmentally friendly lighting and upgrading energy-saving appliances,” said Tom Agan, managing director of PSB.

The research also found that 90% of Americans agree that there are important green issues and problems, and 82% believe it is important for companies to implement environmentally friendly practices.

The survey also showed that consumer perceptions of green continue to change and have a direct bearing on their buying decisions.

<Keep Reading>

Remodelers: Take Advantage of Volume Fluctuations

No matter the size of your business, the volume in your pipeline is bound to fluctuate. And for many of us, it can be an uneasy feeling wondering when the phone will start ringing again.

Rather than resorting to gnashing of teeth and slashing of budgets, view those lulls between busy times as a welcome opportunity to run a complete diagnostic check on your business.

Essentially, use your slow times to plan for the future. 

Take the time to re-examine and retune every aspect of your operation. This will help position your business to improve, grow in a sustainable way and, ultimately, better withstand future quiet periods.

Use your down time to look at all aspects of your operation in particular, including:

Market Research

How well do you and your sales and marketing team ― even if they are one and the same ― understand the makeup of your pool of potential clients? Make sure that you understand the social, cultural and physical makeup of your market.

Are you in a predominantly baby boomer market, a pool of Gen Xers or a mix? What does research show to be their remodeling preferences, and where are the trends going in materials, style and budget?

Is the majority of the housing stock in your market area 25 years old, 50 years old or barely past 10?

Do you need to expand your territory or improve your focus on more lucrative geographic areas, such as those with a growing need for repair and maintenance work?

All of this information is available in surveys like the NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index and from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and your state and local government. Use your slow time to dig deep into the numbers and ramp up your strategy to outsmart the competition.

Branding, Marketing and Advertising Strategies

What does your company’s image — your logo, crew’s uniforms, job site signage, even door hangers — say about your company?

Are they making an effective connection with the key target groups you’ve identified from your market research?

<Keep Reading>

Builders’ Tip: Vacuum Dust From Anchor-Bolt Retrofits

 

I frequently drill holes in concrete foundations for seismic anchors, such as all-thread bolts. The bolts are bonded to the concrete with epoxy, which means the holes that I drill have to be thoroughly cleaned for the epoxy to get a proper grip. I used to blow the dust out of the holes with compressed air. But that technique makes a mess and could cause damage to my lungs and eyes. So I switched to a better method:

• As shown in the accompanying drawing, I made a simple nozzle out of copper plumbing fittings for my shop vacuum.
• The series of copper reducers steps down to an 8-inch long piece of 1/2-inch copper pipe that is small enough to fit inside the 3⁄4-inch diameter holes I drill in the in the concrete.
• This vacuum rig does a nice job ― without the mess or the risk.

And just for the fun of it, the nozzle makes a pretty good sound when played like a horn through the narrow end — if you like trumpets and horns.

2007 Vacancy Reports

NAHB has published the 2007 Vacancy Report, providing another source of valuable data on local and regional market conditions. The report further reinforces existing market data showing that the NW market remains one of the strongest in the nation. The reports in their entirety can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Download Report Summary and Conclusions

Download Report Spreadsheet