Built Beyond the Code| 14 - Evolutionary Home Builders

J ULY/ AU GUS T 2 0 1 4
www.CustomBuilderOnline.com
Built Beyond
the Code | 14
Two Custom Homes Go Farther with
Green to Deliver Superior Living
Design Spotlight:
Stairways | 08
Indirect Costs: Deduct or
Capitalize? | 11
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PHOTO: RYAN GAMMA
table of contents
Built Beyond the Code | 14
J ULY/ AUG UST 2014
When Sustainability is a Builder’s Best
Practice, the Results Can Be Impressive
www.CustomBuilderOnline.com
Built Beyond
the Code | 14
Two Custom Homes Go Farther with
Green to Deliver Superior Living
Design Spotlight:
Stairways | 08
Indirect Costs: Deduct or
Capitalize? | 11
Editorial:
The Hacking of Things | 05
08
Mark Richardson: What Are
Your Motivations? | 06
Design Spotlight: Stairways | 08
To Deduct or Capitalize | 11
21
New Products | 21
Cover: The Pearl is
a 4,000-square-foot
home in the Oyster Bay
neighborhood of Sarasota,
Fla. Builder/Designer:
Josh Wynne Construction
Photo: Ryan Gamma
ad index
COMPANY
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Panasonic Corporation . . . . . . . 7 ............ 753
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editorial
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Mark Richardson
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The Hacking of
Things
The idea of running my home from a smart phone sounds like the ultimate in convenience and control.
With some of the smart products currently available, I can have a sensor on my washing machine text or email an alert while I’m at work that tells me the appliance is leaking
and activates the water shutoff. Then I can summon the plumber and, from afar, allow
him into my house by opening the electronic door locks. Just before I arrive home to pick
up his bill, I can preheat the oven while I’m driving to get a faster start on dinner.
The advanced connectivity of the Internet of Things (IoT) offers enormous possibilities,
the number of which will accelerate, judging by the growing list of manufacturers with
smart thermostats and other devices that enable the remote control and monitoring of
security systems, lighting, generators, refrigerator, the range, and even blinds and shutters, just to mention a handful. Whether the forecast belongs to Cisco, Gartner, or ABI
Research, the prognosticators expect the number of devices on the IoT will grow by the
tens of billions by 2020. Consumers are definitely intrigued by this technology, so house
product manufacturers and even home builders perhaps risk falling behind if they don’t
offer their buyers the latest in smart products.
So will all this home automation bring its users peace of mind? I’m not so sure.
Trustwave, a data security and compliance company, hacked into the Android app and
activated a smart toilet’s bidet and air-dry functions. Local news stories occasionally
report about hackers sending threatening and vulgar messages over baby monitors and
cable TV boxes. Proofpoint, a security consulting firm, tracked a global cyber attack that
sent 750,000 malicious emails during two weeks from more than 100,000 gadgets such as
home Wi-Fi routers, TVs, DVRs, and even a refrigerator.
Not every smart device is set up for high security, and the more gadgets that are added
to a home’s Wi-Fi network, the more that network might be vulnerable. Even big corporations with sophisticated firewalls and security software fall prey to hackers because the
database holding sensitive information was on the same network that connected a third
party vendor’s air conditioning system, video conferencing equipment, and even vending
machines. So would I want a smart thermostat or a smart lock that could tip off a hacker
working with a buglary ring that my house is empty?
Perhaps the winners in the smart gadgets market will not be those manufacturers that
deliver conveniences or can bundle control of several devices through a single app. Makers of gadgets that protect privacy and keep the behaviors of users secure probably will
have the advantage as reports about data breaches continue hitting the news.
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5
building entrepreneurship
What Are Your
Motivations?
Understand your motivations and align those drivers with the rest of your company.
By Mark Richardson, CR, Contributing Editor
M
otivations influence how you
think and make decisions.
Consider the coach of a football
team whose motivation is getting to the playoffs. He’ll use specific strategies or players to do so. But if he is motivated by modeling sportsmanship or teaching
his players life lessons, then winning may be
secondary. In business, understanding and
being aligned with what motivates owners
and leaders is very important.
An owner’s motivations are not about
right or wrong. They may not even influence the quality of the product, service,
or how team members are treated. But
motivations do change over time as the
business evolves, which is one reason why
the leader’s motivations should be understood by all.
I will attempt to outline a few examples
in the hopes that you can ask yourself,
“What is your motivation?”
1) A Job: Many small business owners prefer to work for themselves. While
they may have fantasies about financial
rewards, those hopes will be dictated more
by the marketplace than by a business plan.
Business acumen and growth is not a driver
as much as quality work and independence.
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July/August|2014
Having a backlog of projects is generally a
sign of success and comfort. At the end of
the day, having a good honest job motivates
these owners.
2) The Business Person: This person
is motivated by creating a solid business.
They spend time on the business, not just
in it. They realize profit is important and
necessary but generally do not sacrifice the
future for short-term gains. They invest in
team members as assets that need to be
grown and retained.
3) The Entrepreneur: The difference
between a business person and an entrepreneur is the entrepreneur needs an exit
strategy. Very few contracting businesses
are sold because they are not led with an
exit in mind. The entrepreneur is a change
artist; they are always looking for the next
move. The good ones are focused on positioning the business for the next move. The
weak ones change their motivation or die.
4) The Investor: Primarily motivated by
the returns on the business versus energy
and risk. A business friend of mine is not
very concerned about growth or top-line
sales. He focuses on the personal returns and
the energy to achieve those returns. For him,
this motivation is top-of-mind every day.
5) The Evangelist: This leader is
motivated by a cause. The cause may be
making sure the industry is perceived in a
better light and homeowners are educated
properly. These business owners may not be
very profitable or growing, but getting the
message out is their real measuring stick.
6) The Legacy: This motive puts
the next generation as a top priority.
Investments into the business are more
about the legacy than the needs of the business today.
7) The Ego: Some business people are
motivated more by getting an award for a
project than by making a profit. This ego
fulfillment is great, but many put it above
other fundamental motivations.
Most owners and business leaders are a
combination of these motives. I am not
making judgment on your motivation; however, I am critical of owners who complain
about not making enough profits while putting legacy or ego as higher priorities. You
can choose whichever direction you want,
but the great businesses have the owner’s
motivation and the key influencers all in
alignment. CB
Mark Richardson, CR, is an author, columnist, and business
growth strategist. He authored the best-selling book,“How
Fit is Your Business,” as well as his latest book,“Fit to Grow.”
He can be reached at [email protected] or
301.275.0208.
design spotlight: stairways
Jamison Howard
MAX CROSBY CONSTRUCTION, CHARLESTON, S.C.
I
nterior staircases,
whether a grand foyer
architectural element
or a necessary functional
element, will certainly be
a focus of any client. As a
custom builder, offering a
guiding hand and helping
clients make confident
decisions with all of their selections builds trust,
especially if you are properly meeting your clients’
expectations in terms of aesthetics and budget. There
are so many options and products available that can
allow a distinct custom look for clients without busting
a budget. Wrought iron continues to be a favorite from
the most elaborate custom scroll work to simple straight
iron pickets. Consider meeting your clients’ expectations
and budget by integrating pre-manufactured scrolls or
panels to achieve the features you envisioned.
Cindy McClure, ASID, MCR, CKD, GCP
1
GROSSMUELLER’S DESIGN CONSULTANTS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
S
tairs are defined
as a set of steps
leading from
one floor to the next
consisting of the steps,
a rail, and balusters.
Functional and necessary,
yes; boring, no. In
many homes stairs are a
prominent feature, so why not make them
more interesting? Whether the stairs are
hung from the roof rafters to become a
sculptural work of art (1), or the bottom
steps are flared out and invite one to explore
the next level (2), the staircase can be
visually pleasing. Rail and baluster choices
vary from wood to iron to steel cable or
glass. Treads and risers can be made of the
same materials or contrast to tie in other
elements. In any case, the staircase is one
location to have fun and show your style.
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Custom Builder
July/August|2014
2
Luis Jauregui, AIA
JAUREGUI ARCHITECTURE INTERIORS CONSTRUCTION
AUSTIN, TEXAS
S
ubtle sophistication is found in the smallest detail of this
staircase (1), such as the copper fleur de lis accenting each
stair riser. (2) Earthy materials set off this simple stairwell.
The architecture is kept simple throughout this modern urbanloft-meets-Hampton-chic-style home. (3) A functional stairwell
is transformed into a sculptural piece of architecture featuring a
prominent stained glass window along
with alcoves. (4) A magnificient Chilhuly
fixture highlights this flowing staircase.
1
2
3
4
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business management
To Deduct
or Capitalize?
That is the Question
Recent Tax Court case highlights steps custom builders can
take to get better deductions for some of their indirect costs.
By Mike Beirne,
I
Editor
f the tax code was more home builder friendly, then everyone in the industry could claim all their indirect costs as
deductions in the same year those expenses were incurred.
Consequently, the net revenue subject to tax would shrink,
and builders would be able to hold on to more income.
Yet, the reality is that Section 263A of the code, also
known as the uniform capitalization rules, or UNICAP, requires
taxpayers producing real property to capitalize certain costs.
Capitalizing an expense item means it can’t be deducted right
away. So for builders, certain costs incurred when a house
was built last year can’t be deducted until that house is sold
whether that event happens this year or later. One exception is
that home builders with averge gross receipts of less than $10
million for the three preceeding tax years are not subject to the
UNICAP rules.
The U.S. Tax Court recently ruled against Frontier Custom
Builders, Houston, which tried to substantiate deducting
indirect costs, such as executive salaries, by arguing that the
company was a design, marketing, and sales company. Frontier
was not directly involved in construction because subcontractors actually built their products so, according to the builder’s
argument, Section 263A did not apply to them. Although
Frontier’s creative twist on interpreting the code is uncommon,
the outcome does hold lessons for
builders regarding being proactive and prepared—particularly
where contemporaneous record
keeping is concerned—should
the Internal Revenue Service ever
come calling.
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11
Tax Court
Frontier challenged the IRS after the agency adjusted the builder’s 2005 income tax filing to reflect $1.9 million of income under the UNICAP rules, which resulted in $653,272 in income tax
owed, according to the Tax Court memo issued last September.
Frontier did capitalize direct material, labor, and postproduction
period carrying costs, but it claimed deductions for salaries,
year-end bonuses, and other miscellaneous expenses such as the
employee benefit program, general liability and vehicle insurance, mobile phone, utilities, computer maintenance, and the
cost of an annual all-employee training seminar.
Frontier also completed its income tax filing using Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Those rules are not the
same as UNICAP rules that require companies in the business of
producing property to capitalize certain indirect costs into the
cost of the property being produced and to take the deductions
at a later date, such as when the property is sold.
“It is a complex calculation going from [GAAP], which wants
you to deduct things faster from a conservative standpoint to
making the complicated calculations every year to capitalize
the indirect costs into your construction category,” says Mike
Gracik, managing partner with Keiter, a Glen Allen, Va.-based
accounting firm, which includes several Richmond builders
among its clients. “The rules are complex, and I’m sure when
you have complex tax rules there can be confusion about how
to interpret them and how to apply them.”
The company contended that unlike production builders who
construct houses on speculation and generate profit from price
premiums and cost control, Frontier, a custom home builder,
generated income from its salespeople, designers, decorators,
and marketing employees. The tradesmen who actually construct the home were not Frontier employees since those activities are subcontracted out. So the Frontier employees created
12
Custom Builder
July/August|2014
the product concept, rather than produced real estate, and
should not have been subject to UNICAP rules.
The court disagreed, ruling that the use of subcontractors for
physical home construction was not enough to exempt Frontier
from section 263A. Judge Joseph Goeke wrote in his decision
that the creative design of custom homes was as much a part
of a development project as digging the foundation. He also
upheld the IRS position that the company’s book accounting
method did not comply with UNICAP rules and did not clearly
reflect income. With that the judge gave the IRS discretion to
determine the accounting methods to be used, which resulted in
a worse outcome for the builder and a better one for the IRS.
“Because the IRS made the change, Frontier had to pick up
the whole $1.9 million (in income) in one year, which cost them
close to $700,000 in additional tax payable in one year. If they
had voluntarily changed the accounting method before the IRS
came in, they could have spread that liability out over four
years,” Gracik says.
He adds that home builders can be proactive if they are not
currently following UNICAP rules for capitalizing indirect costs
by simply switching their accounting method. Builders do not
need permission from the IRS to do so. They simply can do a
voluntary change in accounting method with the agency, which
enables taxpayers to spread out any adjustment over four years.
Then builders need to get with their accountants and determine
which indirect costs should be capitalized and which ones can
be deducted.
Record Keeping
While Frontier’s argument was unusual and the outcome perhaps
was to be expected, one lesson that can be learned from this
case is understanding taxpayers are allowed to do their own
business management
calculations as to which indirect costs are capitalized and which
are not. Documentation is essential for this task.
For example, during the trial, Frontier asserted that over 90
percent of its chief executive’s time was spent on company policy
and sales-related functions, which should have entitled the
company to deduct his salary. But the company’s only evidence
regarding the senior manager’s schedule was the executive’s own
testimony regarding the number of hours he worked, which the
court deemed insufficient. The builder did not maintain contemporaneous time records to show how many hours the executive or
any employee spent on various activities on the company’s behalf.
“When we work with our clients, we encourage them to be
thorough in determining how much of a particular cost is related
to production activities and how much is related to nonproduction activities so they can get a better deduction,” Gracik says.
“Frontier, because they thought they were exempt from those
rules, had not done any of that work, and in trial (the company)
was not allowed to produce that kind of evidence. They were
at the mercy of the court to determine which part of the costs
should be capitalized and which part should be deducted.”
Time Study
Gracik recommends builders develop their own methodology to
document how much time is spent on various tasks. One of his
builder clients created a spreadsheet listing the salary of every
employee in the company. That company also conducted time
studies to figure how much time is involved with production
and nonproduction functions. Then, calculating how much of
an employee’s salary to capitalize and how much to deduct is
a matter of simple math and applying the time-study ratio or
percentage to the dollar figure.
For example, the chief executive for one builder client spends
most of his workdays involved with strategic planning, sales,
and maintaining banking relationships. Production consumes
very little of his time, so a good portion of his compensation
is deducted, whereas the salaries of a vice president of operations and a project manager is capitalized because most of their
duties involved home construction. Gracik has his clients create
spreadsheets for all their expense categories.
As to how much effort is required to compile the time data,
Gracik notes the time study is not created by collecting data
(punch clock, time sheets) every day or week. It’s merely the result of periodically measuring how much time employees spend
working on a particular item.
“We work with our clients to go through all these indirect costs
and develop the evidence on a year-to-year basis as to why X
amount needs to be capitalized into inventory and why a larger
amount can be deducted going forward,” he says. “If you have
current records and can produce that when the IRS comes calling,
they pretty much leave it alone because the rules are so complex.”
As much as home builders and construction firms in general
would prefer not to capitalize their indirect costs, there are
ways for the taxpayer to get a deduction for
some of those expenses.
“I think this case slams the door on any
home builder that thought they may not have
to comply with these rules because they were
purely a custom home builder. From this case
it should be clear, if you’re building homes,
custom or spec, you are subject to these
(UNICAP) rules. If you’re not complying with
them now, you have the option the rest of
the year to do your own studies to determine
which costs should be allocated to the cost of
production and which should not. You can also
do a voluntary change of accounting method
with the IRS and spread the adjustment over
four years.” CB
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13
Built Beyond
the Code
When sustainability is a builder’s best
practice, the results can be impressive
as these custom homes demonstrate.
PHOTOS: ERIC HAUSMAN
green home
Because the lot is in a low-lying area prone to flooding, the DOE Challenge Home was elevated several
feet and a stormwater management system was installed. A wood skirt camoufl ages the elevation.
By Susan Bady, Senior Contributing Editor
B
uilders Brandon Weiss and
Josh Wynne are masters
of sustainability. Weiss
Building & Development,
South Elgin, Ill., has built
more third-party-certified green homes
than any other builder in Illinois, including the first Passive House in the Chicago
area. Josh Wynne Construction, Sarasota,
Fla., has built more LEED Platinum,
single-family detached homes than any
other builder in Florida.
Their level of commitment is evident
in two custom homes that go beyond
building codes to provide superior living
environments with aesthetic appeal.
The kitchen features cost-effective
granite countertops and custom cabinets
with slow-close, adjustable drawers and
doors.The cabinets have no added urea
formaldehyde and are finished with waterbased, non-toxic finishes.The FSC-certifi ed
bamboo flooring is 154-percent harder than
red oak and has a 10-coat finish.
Equal to the challenge
Weiss just added to his achievements
the first DOE Challenge Home in Illinois.
Challenge Home is a new program from
the U.S. Department of Energy that certifies homes with a high level of energy
efficiency while addressing comfort,
health, quality construction, durability,
and advanced technology. More rigorous
than Energy Star, the program requires
that homes be net-zero energy ready.
Weiss was one of the first builders
to complete Challenge Home training
with the DOE and decided to build one
for a couple with young children. “They
wanted a comfortable home that was well
designed with good use of space,” he says.
“They wanted room for the whole family
to get together, but also retreat zones for
individual family members to get away.”
The couple had purchased a lot in
the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
Because of the high peat content in the
soil, the Challenge Home had to be built
on caissons (see sidebar on page 17).
The property is also in a low-lying area
with flooding issues, so Weiss elevated
the house a few feet off the ground.
“This is common in coastal areas, but
not so much in the middle of a suburban
downtown area,” Weiss comments. An
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15
PHOTOS: ERIC HAUSMAN
section header
extensive underground stormwater system was installed.
To maximize natural light, Oak Park, Ill., architect Tom
Bassett-Dilley shifted the house as far to the north as possible
on the lot, “so we had good glazing for passive solar gain on
the south wall. We basically stretched the house out along the
east-west axis. The garage goes off on kind of a ‘T’ to the north,
so it’s on the shady side of the house.” The home was pulled
relatively close to the street to make the most of backyard space.
Even with its 24-by-36 footprint, the home has 3,600 square
feet spread out over three levels. Since a basement wasn’t feasible, Bassett-Dilley created a playroom for the children above the
garage. “That was a trick, because a garage has bad air quality
and it’s not heated,” he says. There’s a “nice flow” to the interior
spaces, he says, with the living room, dining room, and kitchen
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Due to high peat content in the soil, builder Brandon
Weiss couldn’t do a conventional foundation. Instead, he
used steel-and-concrete caissons to anchor the home.
ILLUSTRATION: TOM BASSETT-DILLEY ARCHITECT
Above left: The clients wanted an open living room, dining
room, and kitchen arrangement with no wasted space. Weiss
specifi ed CertainTeed AirRenew drywall, which absorbs VOCs and
formaldehydes and sanitizes the air in the event that furnishings with
those toxins are brought in. Above right: To make the spatial flow
more interesting, architect Tom Bassett-Dilley designed the staircase
so that family members can access the playroom above the garage
or keep climbing to the second-floor bedrooms or third-floor home
offi ce. Left: Space over the garage was turned into a playroom for the
children. “It wound up being a big, usable space halfway between the
fi rst and second floors,” Bassett-Dilley says.
green home
PHOTO: RYAN GAMMA
on the first floor, bedrooms on
the second floor, and a home
office on the third floor.
Part of the south-facing
roof is roughed in for solar PV
panels, which the clients can
install later on.
Weiss completed the home
for less than $135 per square
foot, proving that green
homes do not have to cost
more than code-built homes.
“We didn’t do a basement, so
The Pearl was influenced by South Pacifi c-style architecture, with its series of individual spaces connected by
we didn’t have the expense of
outdoor walkways, but the façade refl ects Florida vernacular.
a big excavation and foundation wall system,” he says.
Moreover, by taking a design/build approach, Weiss and
Bassett-Dilley were able to maximize the efficiency of building
Josh Wynne doesn’t care for the term “green building.”
materials. Using dimensional lumber helped reduce waste. The
“Points and scores do little to tell the story,” Wynne says.
savings were allocated to extra foam insulation on the exterior
“Sustainability can be the material used to bind and elevate
and in the walls as well as more attention to air sealing, which
design when it is considered in every idea. Sustainable practice
enabled Weiss to downsize the HVAC system.
makes every good thing better.”
Third-party-certified materials, such as GreenGuard GoldThe Pearl, a home he designed and built in Sarasota’s eclecspecified products, were used to ensure improved indoor-air
tic Oyster Bay neighborhood, is a thing of beauty and highly
quality. The home has a HERS score of 35.
sustainable. It’s certified under Energy Star, LEED for Homes
In July, four homes by Weiss Building & Development will be
Platinum, Florida Green Building Coalition Platinum, Florida
featured in Chicago’s annual Greenbuilt Home Tour.
Water Star Gold, and Florida Yards and Neighborhoods. The
A pearl in the oyster
CAISSONS ANCHOR CHALLENGE HOME
Caisson foundations are more common
He met the clients’ modest budget
along the 24-foot side of the home or the
in Chicago high-rises than suburban
despite having to utilize this expensive
homes. Nevertheless, Weiss Building &
type of foundation. Weiss worked
Development had to build one for the DOE
with architect Tom Bassett-Dilley and
of concrete and connected with a
Challenge Home in Downers Grove, Ill.
Chicago-based structural engineering
concrete beam, which requires a lot
fi rm Goodfriend Magruder Structure
of formwork and expense. The steel
site before you hit stable soil,” Brandon
to determine the number and optimum
content in these caissons made them
Weiss says. “So we built the house on
spacing of the caissons.
more cost-effective. The design/build
“There was about 30 feet of peat on the
caissons with bell bottoms and steel-
“The farther apart we spaced them, the
36-foot side.”
Typically, caissons are made
team developed thermal-break details
reinforced rebar.” A drill-rig dug holes
bigger the beam between the caissons
to prevent the floor of the house from
35-feet down through the spongy peat, and
needed to be,” Bassett-Dilley says.
feeling cold due to all the steel and
the caissons were dropped in with a crane.
“Then we had to decide if we should span
concrete below it.
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17
PHOTOS: RYAN GAMMA
Top: Stands of bamboo fl ank the driveway leading up to The Pearl’s
tucked-away front door. Middle: Ample windows and sliding patio doors
allow for a visually seamless transition between the home and the lanai,
the gardens, the courtyard, and the pool area. Bottom: The home gets
its name from a private bamboo garden with circular features such
as the wood patio and sodded outdoor room—“a hidden gem,” says
builder/designer Josh Wynne.
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4,000-square-foot residence fits seamlessly into Oyster Bay,
where mid-century ranches mingle with Mediterranean Revival
and Key West-inspired homes as well as Sarasota School of
Architecture masterpieces.
The project started with Wynne advising his clients about a
conceptual design for a pie-shaped piece of property that is 300feet deep, with just over 100 feet of width on a radius frontage
and less than 50-feet wide at the rear. The extreme lot depth
and relatively narrow width was further complicated by zoning
requirements that mandated a deep front setback.
“Another issue was lot elevation. Being a coastal community,
we typically deal with how to create additional elevation to help
with drainage issues and/or FEMA flood-plain requirements,” he
says. “This site, however, was actually too tall. The elevation at
the front setback was more than 9 feet above the edge of the
road, which created a water-runoff management issue as well as
a site-access issue.”
These challenges became the primary driver of Wynne’s design.
He created a long, narrow home with the western exposure
tucked beneath old-growth oak trees that provide afternoon
green home
Above: The kitchen island’s countertop is made of a
single piece of glass-fiber reinforced concrete that is
16-feet long and 42-inches wide, with a 2-1/2-inch-thick
waterfall edge. Coconut Palm Wood by Plyboo was used
in a basket-weave pattern on the face of the island as well
as the cabinets to evoke Florida and the South Pacifi c.
Left: The great room has soaring ceilings supported by
massive timber-framed trusses. “It’s the fi rst time I’ve
used pine and cypress to build glulam beams for the
exposed trusses,” Wynne says. “We custom-fabricated
the truss brackets and then built matching metal wire
chases and metal-and-wood light fi xtures that match the
brackets and beams.” The TV wall is 100-percent quartz
stacked ledgestone (also used on the entry gable and the
elevated pool wall). Its thickness and rigidity was used to
cantilever the glass shelves, which can support more than
150 pounds each.
shade. The shallow width allows for passive ventilation, utilizing
predominantly western breezes. The eastern lot-line became a
courtyard with a pool. All of the common areas and the master
suite flank the courtyard, which is rimmed with a large, covered
outdoor space.
The clients are retired empty nesters with family in the area,
including grandchildren. They enjoy entertaining and required
a large, open great room where they could comfortably host
catered parties with as many as 50 guests. Since privacy was also
a concern, Wynne’s approach layers the public, semi-private, and
private spaces.
“The front lot-line has an almost public-park feeling,” he says.
“Moving through the paths leading to the front door gives the
feeling that you are on a nature trail. The front door is tucked in
and definitely a private space; however, once you enter you find
yourself in the great room with a large kitchen on one side and
the living space on the other. This is the public area.”
The entry is aligned with a long hallway adjacent to the
gardens and courtyards. The pool and powder bath is accessible
here, as is the guest wing and outdoor living room. This is the
semi-private space, Wynne says.
At the rear of the home is the master suite—the most private
indoor space. But the most private space of all is the bamboo
garden in the backyard, which features a series of circular elements including a sodded outdoor room and a wood patio. “The
transition from the front of the property to the rear leaves the
clients and visitors feeling as if they’ve found a hidden gem,” he
says. “Hence the project name, The Pearl.”
The Pearl is reminiscent of South Pacific architecture, such as
Polynesian- and Balinese-style homes where spaces are connected by outdoor walkways. The clients’ extensive collection of
Asian art and furnishings also helped drive the aesthetic design.
But rather than do a theme home, Wynne embraced Asian and
South Pacific influences while creating a simple Florida façade
and incorporating Florida Cracker influences in the finish techniques and materials.
Regarding the home’s LEED Platinum certification, Wynne notes
that it was achieved without solar PV panels, a rainwater cistern,
or a graywater collection system. “It was all through smart design
and intelligent use of materials and lot placement.” CB
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Custom Builder
19
GET RECOGNIZED
for GREAT DESIGN.
Submit your homes and plans and earn a shot at being recognized as
being among the best of 2014!
Be a part of our annual Professional Builder Design Awards and see how
well your designs, plans and communities stack up against those from
other builders and architects around the United States.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN 11 CATEGORIES:
TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT:
Heidi Riedl at [email protected]
Submissions must be completed prior to August 1,
2014 and can date back to December 31, 2012. The
deadline for entering is August 1, 2014
1. Submit registration form and fees online.
$175 for first entry; $125 for each additional entry.
Visit www.housingzone.com/form/professional-builderdesign-awards-entry-form
VISIT WWW.PROBUILDER.COM/
PBDESIGNAWARDS TODAY TO
SUBMIT
YOUR ENTRY.
2. Receive entry packet with forms to be completed –
project information, project statement, photographs,
Single-Family Production — 2,000 sf or below
Single-Family Production — 2,001 sf - 3,100 sf
Single-Family Production — Over 3,100 sf
Multi-Family
One-of-a-Kind Custom Home
‘On the Boards’ Project
New Community
Systems-Built/Modular
Green
Urban Infill
Best Revised Plan
ENTERING IS EASY
1. Submit registration form and fees online by August 1, 2014.
$175 for first entry; $125 for each additional entry.
Visit www.ProBuilder.com/PBDesignAwards
2. Receive entry packet with forms to be completed – project
information, project statement, photographs, drawings and plans.
3. Return entries back to us by AUGUST 15, 2014
new products
2.
3.
1.
4.
1. Chicago by Mediterranea Porcelain Tiles
Mediterranea has recreated the look and feel of vintage Chicagostyle brick in this new porcelain tile series. Tiles measure 4 inches
by 8 inches, with optional bullnose pieces to round off any design
concept. Mediterranea offers four colors, created via its Dynamic HD
Imaging design process: Old Chicago (Classic), Wrigley (Red), South
Side (Whitewash), and State Street (Cafe). For more information,
circle No. 850
2. Pure Genius Smart Hardwood Flooring
The titanium dioxide technology comprising this flooring system
from Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring breaks down airborne
bacteria, viruses, molds, and carcinogens in a room, transforming
them into harmless water and carbon dioxide molecules. Light—
natural or artificial—and air movement activate the technology,
which also helps reduce household odors. Studies have shown that
rooms with Pure Genius are up to 85 percent cleaner than those
without. Pure Genius is offered in Lauzon’s Authentik oak flooring
and Organik maple flooring series, as well as Ambiance Collection
products and selected Designer Collection products. For more
information, circle No. 851
3. Northern Tool + Equipment Powerhorse
Generator
Four thousand- and 7,000-watt models are now available in Northern Tool + Equipment’s line of Powerhorse electric-start generators.
The Powerhorse line delivers electricity for multiple power-source
needs, with a lifespan up to eight times longer than other brands.
No manual startup is required; users simply push a button and the
generator starts. An onboard battery ensures power even during
outage emergencies. Other features include an onboard volt meter,
extended-run fuel tank to reduce the amount of refilling needed,
5.
and a quiet muffler to keep noise levels down. For more information, circle No. 852
4. VeriLock
Built directly into Andersen’s E-Series windows and doors, these
sensors can detect whether the fixture is open or closed, locked
or unlocked, improving both security and energy efficiency of the
home. The entire system is completely wireless, meaning no visual
blemishes on the window or door profile. VeriLock sensors can be
integrated with Honeywell home security systems so window or door
status can be checked with a quick glance at the security system
keypad. For more information, circle No. 853
5. ODL On Hand Door Assembly
This door assembly kit from ODL makes installing the In-Door Storage and Communication System easy, with a pre-hung interior door
and jamb system included. The included door is a flush solid core
model, offered in 28-, 30-, 32-, 34-, and 36-inch widths and primed
in a smooth white finish; options include a 4-9⁄16-inch flat or split
jamb unit. Hinges are available in brass, nickel, and patina finishes.
Doorknob holes are pre-drilled, but knob hardware is not included.
Elements of the storage system include cabinet and backer, glass
marker-board activity panel or magnetic chalkboard, four shelves,
one support bar, and three support hooks. For more information,
circle No. 854
www.CustomBuilderOnline.com
Custom Builder
21
new products
6.
7.
10.
9.
8.
6. LUXE Linear Shower Drain - Tile Insert
LUXE offers this linear shower drain option with tile insert as
a decorative option for any shower. The drains are available in
six standard sizes, ranging from 26 to 60 inches, with a welded
2-inch-diameter central outlet. LUXE systems accept any tile,
stone, or other flooring material up to ¾-inch thick. For more
information, circle No. 855
7. Versatex Trimboard
This architectural cellular PVC trim product line from Versatex
now include 2x4 and 2x6 sizes, completing a full range of
1.5-inch-thick products. The collection also includes 2x8, 2x10,
and 2x12 boards, as well as a 48-inch-wide sheet; the sheet
is ¼-inch thicker than competing extruded PVC products. The
sizes reduce cutting and handling operations for easier use.
For more information, circle No. 856
8. Marvin Contemporary Design Line
Marvin Windows and Doors has added six new contemporary
products. The 90-Degree Corner Window provides a dramatic focal
point and a panoramic view. The Ultimate Swinging French Door
now features narrower stiles and rails, meaning less wood and
more glass for more natural light. Interior Shades are the industry’s first fully integrated shade system, fitting seamlessly into
a Marvin window or door unit. The OXXO Glider window is useful
for pass-through applications between spaces. Finally, Marvin
22
Custom Builder
July/August|2014
offers new Pearlescent Finishes in Bright Silver and Copper, and
new handle set options for the Ultimate Swinging Door and Bifold Door. For more information, circle No. 857
9. EasyHeat Sno*Melter
These dual-element, fixed-resistance cable kits get rid of snow without shoveling, snow-blowing, or spreading chemicals by automatically maintaining a surface temperature above freezing. A single
cable can cover between 10 and 100 square feet, but systems can be
combined for larger applications. The cables are attached to weldedwire mesh or rebar, and the single-end cold lead is hard-wired to a
standard 208V or 240V power source. The EasyHeat self-contained
controller begins the heating process whenever moisture is present
and temperatures drop below 38°F.
For more information, circle No. 858
10. CertainTeed Easi-Lite 30
CertainTeed has added a fire-resistant 5⁄8-inch option to its
Easi-Lite gypsum board line. The core of Easi-Lite 30 boasts a
30-minute fire rating for walls in residential and commercial
applications, and can be used in interior ceilings. Boards are
up to 30-percent lighter than standard 5⁄8-inch Type X board
and are easy to score and snap, making for quick installation.
Easi-Lite 30 is composed of up to 99-percent recycled material and is Greenguard Gold-certified. For more information,
circle No. 859
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Circle 755
We b e l i eve t h e c o o k t o p i t s e l f s h o u l d
m a k e yo u r m o u t h wat e r .
Three Designs. Infinite Delicious Possibilities.
Wolf gas cooktops are now at home in more
kitchens than ever.
Design, like cooking,
is all about control.
Three distinct new
Contemporary
looks bring precise,
sure control to your
design of the kitchen
Transitional
while such advanced
cooking features as
dual-stacked sealed
burners bring equally
Professional
precise control to the mouthwatering meals
that will be created there.
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