Framing just about complete...

Went by the house today and was very excited with the prgress over the last couple of weeks, in spite of the horrid storms everyday here in Central Florida. The home is really taking shape and the spaces are starting to identify themselves. It's always fun going through a home at this stage, the interior feels pretty much as it will when complete and the choices made during design become exposed. So far...all is well, the spaces feel great.

The ICF system is showing it's merit too, even during construction the spaces stay cooler for the crews inside due to extreme R-Value of the walls.

This home fits very well into the fabric of the neighborhood and, according to Jon, the neighbors are all quite excited about the home, the construction systems, and the openess of the interiors. The outdoor living connection between main house and garage is also framed up and will become a primary living area for the residents. It is large enough for entertaining easily around an outdoor fireplace and grill and will be a natural extension of the indoor living.

The first floor ICF system is in place and cores are filled with 30 or so yards of concrete. Was a good day to visit the site yesterday. The ICF system is most amazing in terms of ease of construction, cleanliness, and addressing all of the structural and environmental issues, which we tend to constantly look for better ways to address...this just may be the answer. Time will tell how the cost compares with other more traditional methods of construction, which for here in Florida would be CMU with applied interior rigid insulation and gyp board. The best guess from the contractor at this point is that the big picture will proove ICF to be a more viable system, in all aspects...I'll save the real answer for Jon to disclose later.

I was pleased to see the interior space and how the visualization is really taking shape. One big open space with no interior bearing walls or columns. The first floor will be very "loft- like" in terms of openness, flexibility and free-flowing spaces. It is also encouraging just to see how clean the site stays with the ICF system...suppose I can give Jon some credit there as well...

I have attached a couple of photos from yesterday's visit....enjoy...

   

   

Can I really do this myself?...

For several months I have avoided trying to post my blog without assistance, for I am not the most technically advanced in this area...and maybe after this one, GBM will unteach me...but let's see what happens.

Oh yeah, I also (think) I posted the VISION House 2011 floor plans...check them out...

 
I am pleased to have been selected as the architect for the 2011 VISION House for Green Builder Magazine. I have been involved with several show homes through the years and all have offered very unique and challenging design opportunities…and a forum to explore new design solutions and products in an arena of teamwork and common goals.

The VISION House is a special project to me because we are showcasing a home that can truly be considered mainstream. It is a home that is affordable to a majority of the masses, fits well within the community fabric, utilizes systems that enable the home to operate very efficiently and economically, and above all is very livable for today’s lifestyle.

The 2400 sf home will rest on a 50’ x 165’ urban fringe infill lot in a historic community called College Park adjacent to Orlando, Florida.

From the street the home looks like many of the homes that adorn the community, narrow house with rear detached garage, double front porch, center entry door…very typical “kit of parts”. The interior however is where the home “unplugs” and opens up. Many homes of this style have small chopped up floor plans that are difficult to furnish and difficult to comfortably live in. And the thing that really gets me is so many new models of this style are left unfurnished simply because the homes don’t show well when furnished…there are no obvious solutions.

The VISION House 2011 offers a wide open plan that stretches the entire length of the home, the dining and chat room is up front, the kitchen and stair way is the heart, and the living room opens to the rear covered outdoor living room with bbq area, fireplace and cocktail pool. From there is stair access to the additional game room/guest quarters above the oversized two car garage. There is also a side entry from the driveway that includes the powder and mud rooms.

Upstairs are three bedrooms, each with direct access to the front or rear balcony, two baths, and a mid level laundry/hobby room, which is a place where multi tasking can easily take place with the inclusion of areas for computer, homework, art projects, gift wrapping etc…with abundant natural day lighting it truly becomes a family center within the home.

The “loft like character”, use of interior windows to borrow daylight, an “industrial farmhouse” character, and the use of materials and products in unexpected ways all add to the uniqueness of the home.

I will add images of the on the next blog…but for now hopefully I have stirred your interest…

One of the first considerations when beginning a green project is asking the question, “how green can we go?” My response is to pick the low hanging fruit and base your decisions on budget, homeowner desires & goals, availability, and user friendliness.

The first response from many is that “green costs more”, which (fortunately) is becoming less and less true. Studies are being compiled now that, for the first time, offer actual comparisons of in-place systems based on payback and life costs. And the results are encouraging for all of us in this business.

With lower budget housing most of the upfront decisions will be based on the shell of the building, which includes three primary areas of focus; the construction system, window package, and insulation. If these three areas are well specified then we are about 75% there, the rest is budget and goal driven.

Some of the moderately priced MEP systems to consider include heat recovery ventilators that bring fresh air inside through existing ductwork, water circulation systems that direct cold water normally headed down the drain back to the water heater, tankless water heaters that are a point of service heat source, geo-thermal systems that capitalize on ground source temperatures for heating and cooling, and solar thermal collectors for hot water.

Pay attention to the window package and specify windows that are low E and Energy Star rated. Pay attention to the orientation of your home and place windows accordingly, if extra UV protection is needed add a solar film to windows of high sun exposure. Also consider exterior shading devices such as awnings and landscape.

The lighter the roof and base color of the home the better the reflective quality, and will direct heat away from the home and back to the surrounding surface…so landscape and softscape solutions should also be well thought out to avoid any heat island affects. Low water usage, low maintenance, and seasonal vegetation should be researched and incorporated. Also check into local green guidelines and with your nursery for water tolerant and indigenous plantings for your area…remember being green also has to do with how you spend your free time. If you like to tinker in the lawn and garden do it because it is an enjoyable hobby…not because bad decisions were made in selecting plant materials.

There are many systems, applications, budgets, and considerations to be made. Pick what works best for you, and remember it is okay to take one step at a time. The important thing is to do “something” that makes a difference. The end result should be a home that is considerate of its surroundings, responsive to the elements, allows the homeowner some freedom of choice, and can be easily duplicated.