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We are a team consisting of a developer, architect, and contractor who were getting frustrated by the dismissive response to modern design by clients and real estate professionals in our area, so we decided to do our own thing with incredibly positive results.
We couldn't understand why people would seek out the latest design and technology in cars, electronics, etc., but new builder/spec. home construction seemed to be stuck in the year 1900.
How many people would go to a store for a new computer and happily walk out with a univac the size of a refrigerator that only did addition and subtraction? Yet people were making a similar decision every day with a new home. We just didn't get it.
So, we design and build homes that respond and complement modern life, are extremely efficient in terms of energy, space, livability, constructibility, and are consistently affordable.
Do you do prefab houses?
We use some prefabricated elements in the construction of our houses (wall panels, for example) to minimize waste and accelerate the construction schedule.
We have been exploring prefab houses for the past 10 years and have found that we can achieve the same benefits without the additional costs involved in the prefab process, a process that we feel is inherently flawed for what we are trying to accomplish.
What’s with the flat roofs? I thought you couldn’t do flat roofs on houses because they leak?
This design decision solves many common maintenance issues and has many benefits:
1: No venting of attic space is required
2: Extremely efficient use of materials and less roof area= fewer resources utilized, fewer
opportunities for leaks and thermal transfer
3: No wasted volume of space
4: No ice dams
5: Snow on roof acts as an additional layer of insulation (think of an igloo)
6: Horizontal roof elements double as outdoor space
7: EPDM roofs are extremely durable and easy to maintain
Do the giant glass overhead doors in the kitchen/living room let in the cold?
The motorized glass overhead doors are constructed of thermally broken insulated glass in an insulated aluminum frame, so it does a great job of keeping the cold out- as a bonus, during the warmer months, the houses have an exterior motorized screen that goes down when the door goes up- turning the room into a huge screened in area.
Where are you building next?
It’s tough to predict which project will begin next, as each presents a unique set of challenges- our best advice is to check back frequently for news or drop us a line to find out what is going on.
Do you sell plans?
The concern we have with selling plans is that each house we build addresses specific environmental and user issues- sunlight, air circulation, people circulation, current and future needs, private and semi-private space relative to surroundings (and neighbors), etc.
We have developed a series of programming questions and building elements which allow us to fairly quickly assess someone's needs and expectations for their houses.
The elements consist of efficient structural systems for us to move and shift around to meet these environmental and owner issues while maintaining accurate budgeting and availability of materials, etc.
Our experience tells us what works and what doesn't, what can be built efficiently and quickly, and where a budget can be spent to maximize effect and enjoyment.