http://www.buildernewsmag.com/ BuilderNewsMag RSS Newsfeed http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1040 It is appropriate that Chicago-the birthplace of the skyscraper-is the site of a new extreme high-rise residential development. The Chicago Spire, currently under construction along Chicago's waterfront near Navy Pier, will stand 2,000 feet-550 feet taller than the Sears Tower. Further, the Spire is 100 percent residential. The twisting column design is from the mind of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Garrett Kelleher and Shelbourne Development Group Inc. are in charge of the project. The grandeur of this building serves to illustrate the robust atmosphere for residential and mixed-use development in the city. Mike Golden of @Properties, a Chicago developer, is helping to market the building.

"The building is being marketed internationally," he says. "It sort of transcends the Chicago marketplace. But Chicago has a seen a renaissance over the last 10 years of new construction, adaptive reuse building and rehabilitation. We've definitely seen Chicago become more of a destination."

Golden says The Chicago Spire is really the centerpiece of a host of opportunities for developers in the city.

"The Spire is really an extreme example in terms of the size of a building, but we're seeing classic neighborhoods with improvement from new construction," he says. "The Gold Coast has traditionally been the higher-end area for condominiums, and in the last few years we've seen better buildings than we've ever seen before going into those areas."

Beyond the obvious areas, Golden says building is happening throughout the city, and he rattles off the colorful place-names with the casual flair of a local.

"Gold Coast Streeterville is a very popular area," he says. "And the South Loop continues to see a huge amount of development in the last 10 years. It's become a destination for mixed use and commercial retail. The West Loop continues to be popular. And then some of the neighborhoods, like Bucktown and the Wicker Park area have improved dramatically. You don't get as much high-rise stuff there; it's all single-family stuff in there. Overall, we continue to see a lot of popularity."

A city like Chicago is ideal for urban renewal, and in fact sets a national standard for eco-friendly development. The city in June was one recipient of the Urban Land Institute/Financial Times Sustainable Cities Award, honoring global examples of programs that demonstrate new ideas and perspectives for best practices in sustainable land use. For evidence of this, look no further than the rooftops.

"We have 400 Green roofs and those total four million square feet," says Peter Scales, spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. "We're trying to lead by example. Chicago really started the Green Roof movement, not only by putting one on our own city hall, but putting one on every police and fire station we build. We also have requirements for developers. If they're doing a project that's assisted by the city, they're required to include a combination of sustainable technologies."

Below the rooftops, Scales paints a picture of a city as the LEED frontrunner.

"We're leading the country in LEED-certified buildings," he says. "We have 40 LEED- certified buildings in town and we have 189 that are waiting to be certified."

Golden as well touts the Green aspect of Chicago development, ultimately talking in terms of dollars.

"I think we have more Green roofs than New York City," he says. "The movement has been coming into vogue in the last few years. Mayor Daley has really driven the Green movement here. You're seeing people pay more attention to it and spend more money on it." ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1041 With so many choices of materials available, what are the most unique and popular surface trends that will set your project apart from the competition? What is going to give you the most bang for your buck? Here are the top trends in unique counter surfaces.

THE NATURAL CHOICE

Granite is the material of choice in today's middle- to high-end market. Natural stone defines the ideal of quality and elegance in a kitchen, bath or laundry room and is the most requested upgrade item for new homebuyers.

As the use of granite becomes more widespread, it has become more affordable. This natural material holds up to heat; comes in a range of almost 3,000 colors; looks permanent and substantial; will last a lifetime; new sealers are almost maintenance-free; has the second highest hardness rating after diamonds; and has a high perceived and aesthetic value to homebuyers. Granite is a siliceous stone and not highly susceptible to damage from acids.

GLASS COUNTERTOPS

Glass offers an incredible range of design possibilities. It can be processed to create many different shapes, colors and textures. Glass is nonporous which makes it an excellent countertop choice. It is extremely sanitary, requires very little maintenance and is exceptionally easy to clean. As an added bonus, in the kitchen it can endure high heat without cracking or scorching.

Since glass is translucent, it can also be combined with other design elements, such as glass over aluminum or decorative tile embedded into the glass. It can also be etched, sandblasted and textured. Installing lighting under the counter can create a stunning visual effect. Glass can be clear or colored, textured or polished and is available in a variety of patterns. The result is an amazingly high-end look for about the same cost as a granite countertop.

Glass can also be mounted in a variety of different ways, creating an interesting look, as well as opening even more design options. It can be particularly effective when used as an accent fastened to the existing countertop, creating a raised glass overhang. A countertop with an added glass riser can be instantly transformed into an outstanding focal point for a kitchen or bar area.

GLASS TERRAZZO: THE EARTH-FRIENDLY CHOICE

Terrazzo, once popular for flooring material, is now a popular option for countertops in contemporary installations. It is at the top tier for Green-design savvy customers.

This great-looking product is made and cast to your specifications for your job, and mixes in color can vary to your specification. It is highly durable, and is resistant to staining. It can be cut on, as it is one of the hardest surfaces on the market. It can withstand extreme heat, which is important for durability in outdoor residential uses.

The best part of this surface is that it is made domestically and responsibly in a sustainable method. Since the raw materials for this product are sourced domestically, it does not require the tremendous energy cost of shipping other surfaces like granite.

Vetrazzo is a unique company leading the pack with distribution of glass terrazzo. All of the glass used in Vetrazzo is repurposed and makes up about 85 percent of the final material by weight. The largest proportion of glass comes from curbside recycling programs. Other glass comes from post- industrial usage, dinnerware, automotive windshields, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition and other unusual sources such as decommissioned traffic lights.

MORE MAN-MADE SOLUTIONS

Engineered stone is composed of 93 percent quartz particles, one of nature's hardest materials. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Some brands on the market include DuPont Zodiaq, LG Viatera, Cambria Quartz, HanStone and Silestone.

The quartz is combined with high-quality polymer resins and pigments and then compacted under intense vibration, vacuum and pressure into dense, nonporous slabs. The slabs are post-cured, gauged to precise thickness, and polished to an enduring shine. A relatively new surfacing countertop product, it was introduced in 1987, establishing a new product genre in the industry. It is an attractive and versatile finish for residential and commercial buildings. Quartz surfacing is tough enough for the wear and tear on just about any interior surface, and beautiful enough for every architectural and decorating scheme.

A SEAMLESS SOLUTION

Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian and Swanstone.

They come in a rainbow of colors and patterns, are seamless, stain resistant and can often incorporate integral sinks in their design for a truly seamless look. However, they are vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface.

CONCRETE: NOT JUST FOR DRIVEWAYS ANYMORE

For a contemporary look and a Green, eco-friendly consciousness, this slick but earthy material is a great choice. If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they're often cast in place. Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive and aesthetic all at once. From a primal and formless slurry, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, stamp or stain it. You can embed small stones, glitter, glass tiles and just about anything that will set within.

Concrete is heat and scratch resistant and can be color-tinted. New treatments eliminate cracking and additives reduce porosity. It can be polished, waxed or textured. There are enormous creative advantages whether seeded, stained, stamped, broomed or diamond-finished. It can be a sole performer or play the supporting role to tile, mosaics, decorative aggregates, stone, wood or metal. It is inexpensive, durable, noncombustible, impervious to decay and also very effective for passive solar gain in the right application.

William Miller, principal of William Miller Design, a full-service preeminent design firm in California's high desert.
williammmmillerdesign.com, 760-836-9199]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1042 It is no surprise for any seasoned professional working in the construction industry for the past several decades to see a basic trend in boom-bust cycles: A decline in construction activity precipitates increased defaults, claims and related design/construction disputes. Added to this is the quality of workmanship that declines when projects are stressed financially and underwriting pressures require valueengineering studies that likely compromise the performance of vital building components. This has occurred as a result of underlining financial changes in the construction industry. Thus, a building's ability to perform at a higher standard than non-Green-certified dwellings-performance being a key element in complying with Green guidelines-will be heavily scrutinized and place the design and construction professional at increased risk.

While compliance with Green standards is not mandatory, once a builder agrees to adhere to these new rules, he/she does so voluntarily and bears the full burden of proof of compliance. Because the U.S. has not adopted federal mandatory regulations, municipalities across the country are governing how they implement Green codes. The result is that there have emerged regions in the U.S. where there is a much greater awareness than ever before of the need for risk management and a greater awareness of understanding a lack of a dwelling's performance under newer, stricter, Greener building guidelines.

With a new generation of dwellings coming on line and completed during the boom, many will face new hurdles. Mainly, did energy savings projections meet design expectations? As consumers have become more sophisticated and knowledgeable about Green elements and their cost savings, they have come to expect results. The concept of overpromising and underdelivering suggests that project sponsors fail by misrepresenting the expected or forecast building performance. The failures can then result in higher than expected energy costs, higher water consumption and/or higher off-gassing of VOCs resulting from the various building materials selected, including millwork, insulation, paints and finishes. These particular products and their specifications are intended to create buildings that are healthy to occupy. The movement toward Green building in commercial and residential settings has brought more complexity and an increased risk of Green litigation.

Green or sustainable development has expanded from its application originally to commercial office buildings to the development of individual homes, attached townhomes and condominiums, and small- and large-scale rental properties. Large-scale master-planned communities also are being developed with the goal of being sustainable.

The concept of risk management in connection with Green building requires a focus on three essential elements: 1) integrated design and construction, 2) third-party verification, 3) measurement of actual system performance through a commissioning (testing) process. It is in the added layers of coordination where builders and developers become frustrated with Green design/ construction in large part because they did not factor this into their financial proformas.

What appears consistent with the real estate cycle is that construction lawsuits increase when construction activity decreases. Added to this are skyrocketing constructioninsurance premiums which set up a ripe environment for litigation, as opposing parties have untapped insurance policy reserves. Builders' general experience is that insurance and litigation costs are significantly higher in states like California, Texas and New York than other states. Counsel representing owners argue that unfettered construction-defect litigation is necessary to protect the rights of owners. Complicating factors in the real estate market-not lawsuits-are driven by a compendium of time-valueof- money problems and decreased debt/equity available for financing. This triggers decreased cash distribution for project labor, whose side effect is a lower standard of workmanship. Constructiondefect litigation, many argue, is caused by poor construction and a prevailing mindset to refuse to fix costly mistakes.

The paradigm shift from conventional to Green building is creating further confusion and increasing the risk of litigation through a lack of clearly defined standards specific to building products, construction processes, commissioning and actual building performance. While the LEED program administered by the USGBC is a step in the right direction, LEED programming itself cannot control means and methods. As expectations for performance grow, so too does the risk of failure for not delivering the promised performance. We will be monitoring this trend closely as it will greatly impact the second generation of Green buildings.

Roy R. Pachecano operates at a development/investment firm based in New York City. He lectures at Pratt Institute on real property: zoning/land use and real estate development.
porticoresidential.com, 212-281-7444 ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1033 Homebuyers increasingly are interested in smaller homes that consume less energy and encourage interaction among neighbors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Developers in cities such as Seattle, Boston and Milwaukee are building cottage developments to meet the rising demand.
Architect Ross Chapin and developer Jim Soules have erected nearly 50 Craftsman-style cottages during the last 10 years in the Seattle area.

One in every 171 households in the United States received a foreclosure notice during the second quarter, an increase of 121 percent compared with the same quarter in 2007, according to RealtyTrac.com.

A Harris Interactive survey conducted on behalf of Move Inc. shows that 44 percent of homebuyers expect improvements in the housing market when the new president is installed next year. At the same time, 81 percent of homebuyers are still nervous about the current housing market and say there are barriers between them and home ownership.

Total housing inventory at the end of June rose 0.2 percent to 4.49 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 11.1-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 10.8-month supply in May. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says first-time homebuyers are critical to the health of the housing market.

Freddie Mac reports a more than 0.25-percentage point gain in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.63 percent during the week ended July 24 from the prior week, marking the highest level since it reached 6.68 percent last August. According to the Wall Steet Journal, The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also increased, climbing to 6.18 percent from 5.78 percent.

A house that "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" built is a two-story, turreted example of how things can go wrong. It's in foreclosure. According to U.S. News and World report, the four-bedroom house with decorative rock walls and a three-car garage in Lake City, Ga., was scheduled for auction. on Aug. 5. The bank on that day granted a 30-day old on the sale.

Homebuilding industry stocks are rising, according to The Associated Press. Several builders' stocks were up by at least 5 percent, with Beazer Homes USA Inc. rising 23.7 percent. Shares of Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. rose about 8.6 percent. Lennar Corp. rose about 7.2 percent and KB Home's shares rose 8.5 percent. Centex Corp. was up 6.2 percent, Toll Brother rose 5.9 percent, D.R. Horton Inc. climbed 5.6 percent, and Pulte Homes increased 5.6 percent.

Countrywide Financial Corp. spent $457,000 in the second quarter to lobby the federal government, reports The Associated Press. The company lobbied on foreclosure prevention, a regulation of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in an effort to let bankruptcy judges alter the terms of mortgages and regulation of mortgage brokers, according to a July 21 filing with the U.S. House clerk's office.

Apartment builders may be gearing up for a boom, and condo developers are no longer competing for land or construction services, reports the Miami Herald. Jay Jacobson, the development partner in charge of Wood Partners' South Florida division, says with people needing a place to live, it's time to jump in.

COMMENTARY

In a reversal principle President Bush changed his mind and signed HR 3221, known as the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. He was against it before he was for it. The bill will save hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure through refinancing to an affordable mortgage. And the lenders will have to take a hit in the wallet. In light of the economic situation, the bill is necessary, but a bit of an embarrassment. The industry got too far ahead of itself and now needs essentially to reset to a level it should have achieved years ago. In the meantime, many people have lost their homes, lending companies have been swallowed up or vanished, and bankers and homeowners alike have placed hunting rifles in their mouths and pulled the triggers. We won't soon forget this year. Still, the impending bill comes just ahead of what economists and housing industry analysts are calling the year of recovery. United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the bill will play a key role in "turning the corner" on the housing crisis. But not everybody agrees. Here's an excerpt from a post by an opponent on the website stopthehousingbailout.com: "Well, the bailout for housing gamblers will happen. It is now official. From the news reports I read and heard today, the President who at first said he would veto it will now sign it. So that means any American who lived within his/her means, was responsible, was moral, etc., is now a sucker because they will pay for the party they never attended." The "party," by the way, will cost $3.9 billion. Of course, each month in Iraq our government spends $12 billion. Money that technically does not exist. Our national debt is close to $10 trillion. This is just around $2 billion per day. I guess when you look at it that way, the housing bailout is nothing really to complain about. And anyway, it will teach us a valuable lesson. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1039 Decking, railing and fence board maker Trex enjoyed a net income that more than doubled to $7.9 million from $2.6 million in the same period last year. Net sales fell 20 percent to $95 million from $118.8 million in the year-ago period. The Winchester, Va.-based company credited expanded distribution capabilities for the gains, as well as success with new products, such as Escapes decking and Seclusions fencing products.

Columbia, S.C.-based Boozer Lumber has closed its doors last week after six decades in the lumber business. The company operated a home center and lumberyard, along with a showroom and component manufacturing facility, and served South Carolina and parts of North Carolina and Georgia. The decision to shut down Boozer Lumber was made last month when owner Dale Boozer, whose father founded the company, could not find a buyer.

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker has announced an 18 percent drop in net earnings in the second quarter, to $96.7 million from $118 million in the same period last year. Sales fell 3.5 percent to $1.64 billion from $1.7 billion in the year-ago period. Sales in the company's power tools and accessories segment decreased 10 percent for the quarter, while the manufacturer's consumer products group saw sales decrease 25 percent.

Specialty tools distributor HD Supply White Cap has reopened a newly renovated warehouse facility in Ft. Myers, Fla. The 38,000-square-foot location features a merchandise showroom and an open warehouse format, catering to White Cap's base of large- and medium-sized professional contractors. "The open warehouse format has enhanced our ability to offer a broader array of products to professional contractors in southwest Florida," said Florida area director Mikel Valett, in a statement.

Delaware-based Nexxus Lighting Inc. announced July 25 it has amended a Lumificient Stock Purchase Agreement to comply with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350. Nexxus on April 30 acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Minnesota-based Lumificient Corporation. Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the shareholders of Lumificient received cash consideration of $1.1 million and 475,000 shares of Nexxus Lighting's common stock at closing.

The California Supreme Court on July 10 chided two state agencies for approving the controversial $480 million Headwaters Forest deal under which the state and federal governments bought 10,000 acres of old-growth redwood groves and set standards for how the Pacific Lumber Co. would log a remaining 220,000 acres in Northern California, reports the San Francisco Examiner.

Gaithersburg, Md.-based lumberyard chain TW Perry has launched a comprehensive Green building program aimed at consumers, contractors and builders. The 97-year-old company has obtained chain-of-custody certifications for its lumberyards from both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.The pro dealer has also expanded its inventory to include Green product lines, including caulks and adhesives, decking, trim and insulation.

Door manufacturer Masonite in July announced a joint venture with TechnoLines LP, a laser etching technology firm. The new company, Echelon Laser Systems, will allow designers more room to invent-at highly economical costs. With 20 patents surrounding the process, company officials hope the new technology will revolutionize aesthetics across building products, textiles and other materials.

Weyerhaeuser announced July 28 it will sell its hardwood mill in Delta, British Columbia. Weyerhaeuser will entertain initial expressions of interest for the sawmill and associated timber harvesting rights by no later than September 5, 2008. The sawmill produces solid hardwood, random width lumber used for the manufacture of furniture, cabinetry and solid wood components and low-grade dimensional products for the pallet industry.

Louisiana-Pacific announced Aug. 3 it will suspend its $0.15 per share quarterly dividend until it sees improvement in the housing market. The company recently recorded an $81 million loss in the second quarter and a 16 percent drop in sales from the year-ago period. LP took "significant curtailments in the quarter to match supply with orders," said CEO Rick Frost in a prepared statement.

Forest products company J.D. Irving announced in August it will close two sawmills, according to the Canadian Press news service. Eighty employees will be affected by the move, which will shutter operations in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island; and Nasvhille Plantation, Maine. The company is currently trying to find jobs in other locations for those workers affected. J.D. Irving has operations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and the northeastern United States.

Stanley Tools and Ace Hardware have partnered in the "Racing for a Miracle" campaign to raise money for Children's Miracle Network, an organization that helps sick and injured children. Stanley made a $100,000 donation to CMN. Also, a quarter pallet of Stanley Tool items was sent Aug. 1 to each Ace Hardware store announcing the promotion to customers and encouraging them to donate $1 or more to the charity.

Paint and coatings maker Valspar saw net earnings drop 23.8 percent from the year-ago quarter, to $47 million from $58.2 million in the same period last year, reports Home Channel News. Sales rose 7.1 percent to $957.7 million from $893.5 million in the prior-year period. "Results for the quarter were in line with our expectations," said William Mansfield, Valspar chairman and CEO.

Ready Mix Inc. reports a second quarter drop. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, revenue decreased 24.1 percent to $17.1 million, compared to revenue of $22.5 million for the second quarter of 2007. Cubic yards of concrete sold decreased 19.1 percent for this year's second quarter compared to the same period of 2007, while average unit sales price decreased 6 percent. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1038 June foreclosures in New Jersey fell by 32.7 percent from May and were only 4.9 percent above June 2007. Nationally, foreclosure activity in June fell by 3.4 percent from May, but was 53.2 percent higher than June 2007.

Construction in western New York is booming, according to a recent McGraw-Hill report released in July. Compared with June 2007, a 77 percent increase in future contracts in Erie and Niagara counties was recorded in June 2008. The jump, however, was driven by nonresidential construction projects, as residential construction contracts actually fell by 22 percent over the same period.

Contracts for future construction projects in New Hampshire, including residential construction contracts, increased in June, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Contracts for nonresidential projects saw a 13 percent increase over June 2007, while residential contracts during the same period grew 5 percent.

Wages in the Boston area ranked fifth among cities nationwide in 2007, with the average wages 12 percent above the national average, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. In construction occupations, that average surged to 25 percent above the national average. Other northeastern metros that ranked higher overall were New York and Hartford, Conn.

Single-family home sales in Mass. for the first half of 2008 were lower than they have been in 17 years, according to The Warren Group. The 18,487 sales represented the lowest number of sales in the first half of a year since 1991. The number fell from 22,851 sales during the first half of 2007, along with the median price, which fell from $347,000 to $315,000. Also, The Warren Group reported that foreclosures in Mass. for the first half of the year were up 117.6 percent over the same period last year.

An 88-unit development in Trenton, N.J., is expected to become the largest market-rate home development project there in more than 60 years. Cooper Crossing will be built at the site of former public-housing facilities and will feature townhouses of between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet starting at $170,000. Fort Washington, Penn-based Westrum Development is partnering with Reston, V.A.-based Ryan Homes on the development, according to NJBiz.com.

The New York City real estate market has a surplus of one-bedroom apartments, thanks to difficult financing options and a faltering economy. The price appreciation for these units is also slow compared to others on the market, according to The Real Deal.

A developer's plans to build 104 townhouses in West Milford, N.J., recently got green-lighted by a state appeals court. Trammell Crow Residential's plans had faced challenges from West Milford Township and Skylands CLEAN, an environmental group, because the site for the development is in the Highlands preservation area in northern New Jersey. Although an earlier ruling deemed that the developer was exempt from a law that restricted development here, Trammell Crow Residential must still obtain an extension on its exemption status. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1036 Memphis' average condominium price in May, at $208,000, was 14 percent higher than last year according to the Memphis Area Association of Realtors. Yet only eight condominiums were sold in downtown Memphis for the month, compared to 25 a year ago and 52 in May of 2006.

The Lewisville Texas City Council has approved the city's first transit-oriented development, a 90-acre mixed-use project called Hebron 121 Station, will be within walking distance to Denton County's new rail station, to be completed in 2011, and the new DCTA bus station, which will be completed in 2009. Dallas-based Huffines Communities Inc. is planning the project, which will feature 1,700 apartment residences and resort-like amenities.

The majority of new apartment construction or renovation for complexes with at least 150 units is taking place in eastern New Orleans, according to a Greater New Orleans Multi-Family Report. Findings indicate that 1,817 units are being built in eastern New Orleans, which represents 43 percent of the total activity in the city's metro area.

The Uptown District of Dallas is seeing over 1,200 high-rise residential units and nearly 2 million square feet of office space being developed, according to the Dallas Morning News. Of the total number of residential units, 360 will be luxury condominiums while the remaining 900 units will be luxury rental apartments spread out in different Uptown high-rise developments including the 1900 McKinney Avenue project, the 254-unit Square project and the 22-story Glass House apartment tower.

The Arkansas Realtors Association reported that the number of home sales across the state in April was 2,187, an 18.9 percent drop compared to April of 2007. The average sales price, at $148,487, was 2 percent lower over the same time period.

The Austin City Council has selected a development team for a large-scale downtown Green project that includes the redevelopment of the Green Water Treatment Plant site as well as the adjacent Austin Energy Control Center. Trammell Crow, along with USAA Real Estate and Constructive Ventures Inc., will redevelop five downtown city blocks into a 2.6-million-square-foot, mixed-use project consisting of residential housing, retail and office space, a hotel, as well as parking and public plazas.

Alabama's foreclosure rate for May was one foreclosure for every 4,203 homes, a 25 percent decrease as compared to May of 2007, reports RealtyTrac Inc. The rate was also nearly 22 percent lower from the previous month. As a comparison, the national foreclosure rate in May was 48 percent higher compared to one year ago.

Oklahoma City homes are staying on the market longer but prices are still increasing. The median home price in May, at $132,000, was 2 percent higher from May of 2007 and 4.8 percent higher than the previous month.

]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1037 Condo sales have been strong in the luxury St. Regis Hotel and Residences development, which is being built at West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta, with 47 out of the project's 52 high-end units sold. According to the project realtor, the average sales price for the condos is over $3 million. The 150-room hotel is anticipated to open in March of next year.

Recently, the developers for Olde Taylor Farms in Johns Creek with homes priced between $1.6 million to over $3 million, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Additionally, Chapter 7 liquidation was filed on behalf of the 32-unit The Lake at Victoria Falls in Kennesaw, which has homes listed from $640,000 to $850,000.

Four years after being denied by the Williamsburg, Va. Planning Commission for a proposal to redevelop a site on Richmond Road into student housing, Prometheus Redevelopment is proposing a new Green project on the same site. The yet-to-be named, mixed-use project will feature 24 townhouse condos, two restaurants, 5,260 square feet of retail space, as well as a number of sustainable features.

In North Carolina's Triangle, a total 2,531 existing home sales were registered in the month of June by the Triangle Multiple Listing Service, a 37 percent decline from June of 2007. However, June's average home sales price, at $255,382, was a little more than 5 percent higher compared with the same time a year ago.

The state of Florida experienced a 25 percent increase in the number of foreclosures for the second quarter of this year as compared with the first quarter. Additionally, Florida's second quarter foreclosure rate, at one in every 78 homes entering foreclosure, was the fourth highest in the nation and over double the national average.

Rockville, Md.-based Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc. reported 3,365 home sales in the Greater Baltimore market for June, a nearly 31 percent decrease compared with June of last year. The median sales price for the area in June, at $270,000, was almost 7 percent lower over the same time period.

A joint venture between Rockville, Md.-based Cohen Cos. and New York-based O'Conner Capital Partners LLC has closed on a $60 million construction loan to develop a 14-story condo building in Washington, D.C.'s Near Southeast Neighborhood. The Velocity project, which includes 200 units and 1,400 square feet of ground-level retail space, will also be built close to the new Washington Nationals ballpark.

Delaware's first LEED-certified residential project is being built in the town of Bethany Beach, a three-story vacation home that is seeking Gold certification. Builder Marnie Oursler is incorporating sustainable features including reclaimed hardwood floors salvaged from a demolished monastery. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1043 Local, state and federal governments have adopted many programs to encourage sustainable development projects and practices. Some local governments encourage sustainability by offering fast-track permitting or other process benefits. The most prevalent incentive is in the form of tax credits or other subsidies.

There are several types of tax credits. For homeowners, the Energy Star program allows a portion of the cost of some types of energy-saving improvements such as exterior and storm windows, doors, certain types of roofing, insulation, and air-source or geothermal heat pumps. Furnaces, photovoltaics and fuel-cell systems can also qualify. Homebuilders can qualify for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy-efficient home under certain circumstances. There are stronger tax credits for installation of renewable energy production facilities and energy conservation equipment. Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credit allows credit against Oregon state income taxes for up to 50 percent of the cost of production facilities, and 35 percent of conservation equipment or technology, to a limit of $10 million per project. This tax credit can be used to help finance the cost of energy-saving designs and equipment in new construction or renovation of commercial and industrial buildings. If the owner is a taxable entity with sufficient Oregon income tax, the owner may use the tax credit. If the owner can't use the credit, the tax benefits can be transferred to a taxpayer williamswho does need them. The taxpayer gives the owner 67 percent of the credit in cash, usually at the time the building is placed in service.

Production Tax Credits are a federal tax credit that supports the cost of energy-producing installations, including photovoltaics. Solar energy systems may be installed on buildings and financed in part with PTCs. The tax credit follows ownership of the energy equipment. This means that in order to utilize PTCs, the tax credit investor must have an equity position in a legal entity created for this purpose. The PTC will apply only to projects placed in service by December 2008, unless it is renewed by Congress. While renewal is anticipated, tax policy issues are quite complex.

A limited partnership or limited liability company owns the energy assets that create tax credits. For some assets, the tax credit is 2 cents for each kilowatt-hour generated. For solar and fuel-cell equipment, it is a 30 percent tax credit for the capital costs. The partnership is comprised of a tax investor and a cash investor, who is typically the developer or owner. While the tax credits are flowing, the tax investor owns 99.9 percent of the project. After the tax credit investor reaches a specified internal rate of return, majority ownership of the project "flips" to the cash investor, which will own 90 to 95 percent of the partnership.

There is also a one-time credit against income, for certain types of geothermal facilties. The IRS does not allow "double-dipping," so it is important for a developer or owner to work with qualified advisors to choose the right incentives for a particular project early in the development process.

Each of these programs has certain requirements and limitations. For instance, using the tax credits may trigger an Alternative Minimum Tax. There are requirements that the taxpayer hold the assets for a certain period of time, and failing to do so can result in recapture of the tax benefits. Recapture can also trigger penalties and interest charges by the IRS.

The incentives for renewable energy development and energy conservation are quite diverse. Homeowners can realize a few hundred dollars in tax benefits for buying appliances that conserve energy, and developers can realize millions of dollars in tax investment proceeds for large-scale projects. All of these incentives are designed to encourage energy production or conservation.

State policies related to Green energy as an industry also create a welcoming climate for projects that include renewable energy features. Most states have energy resources on the Internet to assist you in finding out more about their local programs.

Karen M. Williams is a shareholder at Lane Powell PCPC where she coordinates the New Markets Tax Credits team. She focuses her practice on public/private development and financing, including through local, state and federal tax incentives, urban renewal law, real estate development and environmental issues, including brownfields development

williamsk@lanepowewell.com, 503-778-2134 ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1035 Cleveland is expected to gain some $58 million federal funding to buy, fix and sell foreclosed homes, thanks to the housing bill recently signed to support the flailing mortgage market. According to Crain's Cleveland Business, Senator Sherrod Brown's office reported that, through the U.S. Community Development Block Grant program, the state could gain as much as $150 million, with Columbus receiving $28 million and Cincinnati receiving $16 million.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is showcasing a 2,500-square-foot home to show the public some of the remarkable applications of Green building principles. An AP report says the home features a recycled plastic deck, a solar-paneled roof, a bathroom with tiles made of recycled wine bottles, bamboo flooring, and a garden that thrives on rainwater collected in 300-gallon barrels. The exhibit was designed by Oakland, Calif.-based architect Michelle Kaufmann, creator of the modular SmartHome. The exhibit will run through January.

An Ireland-based developer wants to build a pair of mixed-use towers in Chicago's South Loop. Chieftain Group is planning to create two 25-story buildings that will house 250 condos, 200 apartments and 200 hotel rooms on a two-acre parcel on Franklin's Point. The developer says it intends to submit plans for the $150 million project, to be designed by Chicago architecture firm Brininstool & Lynch, to the city in October.

Unemployment and a slow job growth rate in the Twin Cities will likely continue to hurt the new-home market, according to information from Metrostudy. The industry market information firm found new-home inventory has declined 32 percent in the second quarter and the number of new homes sold dropped 19 percent. However, the Standard & Poors/Case-Shiller home-price index showed a slight increase in home prices in May over the previous month, one of only seven nationwide to show home price improvements.

Based in Overland Park, Kansas, Ash Grove Cement Co. recently announced that it purchased Holiday Sand & Gravel Co., according to the Kansas City Business Journal. Holiday, based in Lexena, Kansas, which has nine plants throughout the Midwest, will retain its name. Ash Grove has nine plants throughout the country and produces nine million tons of cement annually.

A developer is pursuing an $11 million, 24-unit condo project in Webster Groves, Missouri, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. The Providence, a Green building project, is the first new condo development there in two decades. It is being planned by Clayton-based Cornerstone Properties and designed by Core10 Architecture.

]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1034 Tucson City Council is considering a law that would require rainwater harvesting systems in all new businesses, including apartment complexes. The ordinance, which will be the first of its kind in the country if passed, requires all business developments to submit a rainwater-harvesting plan by 2010. Developers would have to acquire at least 75 percent of landscaping water from rainwater stored in cisterns or large basins within three years after getting the right to occupy their buildings.

A coalition of Arizona homebuilders filed suit July 22 in Maricopa County Superior Court asking a judge to prevent inclusion of Proposition 201 on the November ballot. The measure would require homebuilders to provide 10-year warranties on homes. The lawsuit claims that the proposition should be dropped from the ballot because the petition's summary misled signers. The summary claims that the law would provide a warranty on homes, while Proposition 201 would also apply to commercial buildings.

Custom home construction is rapidly progressing at Newland Communities' Estrella development in Goodyear, just south of Phoenix, reports the Arizona Republic. Twenty-one custom homes are under construction, and 15 are in the design review phase, with four of those in the community's newest sections-Hidden Hills and Sonoran Vistas. "Estrella is comcontinuing to grow, now offering buyers the option of designing a home that's truly customized to fit their lifestyle and individual tastes," said Greg Bielli, president of the western region for Newland.

Constructing affordable houses fast is key to success in the ultra-competitive Phoenix market, but the demands of speed, affordability and quality aren't always compatible, reports the Arizona Republic. Some builders skip simple, inexpensive steps that could produce better houses, according to industry analysts, buyers and some builders themselves. For example, a $1,000 to $2,000 technique to make foundations less susceptible to cracking is used in only 20 percent of new homes.

The California Building Industry Association reported single-family housing production in 2008 is expected to be off 75 percent from its peak in 2005. Total production-including single-family and multifamily housing-is projected to be 72,350 units this year (38,250 single-family units and 34,100 multifamily units). The state lost 120,300 construction-related jobs in the past year, according to the report.

The California Building Standards Commission recently announced the nation's first statewide Green building code. The measure, which was unanimously approved, updates California's current building code by requiring significant improvements in energy and water efficiency for all new construction, and advocating the use of recycled and eco-friendly materials in construction. The new code is optional until 2010 to give industry and enforcement agencies time to prepare for enforcing the new building standards. The new code can be down-loaded in PDF format at: bsc.ca.gov/prpsd_stds.

The Aspen City Council has approved an extensive revision of local building codes to reduce energy consumption, especially at area ski resorts, by 50 percent by 2030. All new construction will be required to either include a photovoltaic solar panel system or pay into a renewable energy fund for any exterior energy use, such as the heated pools and increasingly common sidewalk snowmelt systems. Area contractors claim that the new requirements could raise building costs by 5 percent.

For the first time in recorded history, the city of Durango issued no residential or commercial building permits in the month of June. Builders have been hesitant to start new projects in the area. So far this year, the county has only issued permits for five single-family units and 41 multifamily units. There were only 21 homessold in Durango in the first quarter of 2008-the area's worst first-quarter performance since 2001. The median price of homes sold dropped 5 percent to $370,000 in the same period, according to the Durango Area Association of Realtors. Total sales volume dropped 55 percent, from $17.8 million to $8 million.

Southern Nevada experienced 3,192 foreclosures in the first quarter of 2008, an 89.4 percent increase from 2007. Oddly, valley home sales improved over the same period, fueled by a 28.5 percent drop in prices, according to the Las Vegas Association of Realtors.

The owners of Lake Las Vegas, a 3,592-acre luxury residential resort development in Henderson, Nev., have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The move, one of the largest bankruptcies in Nevada history, involves debts totaling between $500 million and $1 billion. LLV Holdco LLC, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Atalon Group, took over management of the project in January after the previous owners defaulted on $540 million in loans. The decision to reorganize under Chapter 11 protection is an attempt to resuscitate the master-planned community.

Home prices in the Portland, Ore., region are expected to fall by 8.5 percent this year according to a report by economists at Wells Fargo. Housing permits were down 52.2 percent in the first quarter of 2008. Portland's urban growth boundary is expected to keep prices from falling even further because the market is not oversupplied, but inventory loans. The decision to reorganize under Chapter 11 protection is an attempt to resuscitate the master-planned community. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1044 Weighing in at only 18 pounds it is easy to carry to the job and up the ladder if that is the case. With 15 feet of 7/16-inch cable, it will tighten anyfence or pull any motor you want. Of course I would like 30 feet of cable but that just adds weight. You will never exceed the cable strength, as the PullzALL is designed with an automatic overload shut off. Quite different from the old manual cable come-along that has a tendency of breaking just when you need it most. I have personally bent the pull handle into a pretzel on a couple of the old come-alongs.

I am getting wiser in my old age so I look for safety before just about anything else when it comes to picking out a tool that could put my body in harm. The PullzALL's 7/16-inch cable with the large hook is real overkill when it comes to the cable, but I like that. I have had cables and chains break when under heavy pull. It isn't pretty if you get in the way. The safety latched hooks provided on both the machine and cable are nice and husky also. The one on the machine is a full swivel to allow you to turn the machine for the easiest operating position. Of course because it is battery powered it will operate in any position you can put it in.

The PullzALL is rated for maximum 1,000-pound lift or pull capacity. The strong motor and variable speed control allow you to move heavy items into place smoothly and precisely. The forward/reverse switch is conveniently located next to the variable speed trigger.

The unit comes with two 24 volt rechargeable NiMH battery packs with a 110-volt rapid charger. If you are going camping and want to charge it in the woods, you'll need the optional car charger unit.

Is there anything wrong with the PullzALL? Yes. To me the biggest problem is it does not have a clutch to put the unit in free wheel, allowing you to pull the cable out without operating the motor. It is unnerving to have to grind the motor in reverse to get the cable out of the unit to be able to pull on something. Remember we are using battery power to get the cable out which means less power to do the real work.

My problem is I own three other winches: one each of 5,000-, 8,000- and 12,000- pound Warn winches on a couple of my trucks. The 5,000-pound is a receiver winch. I am used to getting some real pull when I hit the switch. This brings up another situation. I would like a remote to operate the unit. I don't like being in the line of fire if something goes wrong. Yes I know this unit only applies 1,000 pounds of pull but I still like the hands I was born with.

It has a couple of things I don't like. That doesn't mean it won't lift that beam into place or pull your broken Quad back onto the trailer for you. Hey, have you ever put in fencing before? The PullzALL works great for stretching the wire tight for you. Just remember at 1,000-pound pull you might yank out the corner posts, so don't overdo it.

I recommend you go to their website and see the videos. One picture is worth 1,000 pounds of words. Remember the name Warn tells you it is quality stuff.

Till next time, Art.

800-543-9276, warn.com, MSRP: $500

Art Waldal has been building custom homes in the Vancouver, Wash., area for 25 years.
editing@bnmag.com, 800-401-0696 ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1031 [1]

Green Multi-housing
The Towers in Palm Springs, Calif.
Escalante Architects
escalantearchitects.com

For: The community dweller who wishes to live with a Green lifestyle. "These units are designed for young families, single people and the elderly who need a dignified place to live, which is elegant, affordable and efficient," says company president Ana Escalante.

Trend Defined: The Towers are an excellent Green multifamily project example for modern design and for Green building materials and technologies.

How: Ana Escalante designed The Towers to be affordable without compromising elegance. Exposed concrete block is used for many of the walls, polished concrete for flooring, undecorated steel stair railings and naturally exposed wood stair treads are aesthetically pleasing while saving costs on extra finish materials. The Towers blend into nature by the use of natural-looking color schemes. Finally, these are Green homes with the following eco-friendly strategies: recycled and form-aldehyde-free materials in the interior finishes, recycled glass tile for bathrooms and countertops, thermal massing concrete for walls and floors, overhangs, drought-tolerant landscaping, high-performance glazing, cross-ventilation and efficient mechanical systems.

Escalante's design goal was to create a first-class apartment-living experience that does not strain the pocketbook.

[2]

Green Single Family
Heather's House in Fort Worth, Texas
Ferrier Custom Homes and Gary Gene Olp, AIA
ferriercustomhomes.com
ggoarchitects.com

For: The unassuming dweller who wants a suburban home that is Green for the average budget. "When consumers are educated with the financial sense of building Green, with the improved healthful quality of life, and with the large scale benefits for society, few shy away from the concept of building their new Green home," said Heather Ferrier, owner of Heather's House.

Trend Defined: In the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright brought excellent design to the average middle-class American. In like manner, Heather's House represents a single family Green home built with excellence for a very reasonable cost.

How: At approximately 2,030 square feet, the home costs only $112 per square foot. The choice of building materials kept the price down, such as the integration of Structurally Insulated Panels. SIPs reduce materials and labor costs, provide superior insulation and provide much of the material for the home's exterior structural system.

A large portion of up-front costs for Green building came from the selection of durable materials and from extra fees for third-party verifications. Yet, the extra up-front costs provided a five- to seven-year pay-back. Furthermore, the Green features reduced utility costs down to approximately $20 to 30 per month.

[3]

Small Dwellings
Barrow Street Apartment, West Village, New York City
Adam Kushner of Kushner Studios
kushnerstudios.com

For: An urbanite who enjoys the excitement of the city, who wishes to live close to work and still wants their small living space to fulfill domestic comfort and efficiency.

Trend Defined: Kushner believes that if designed in a meaningful and careful approach, tight living spaces will become more plentiful and desirable, especially for the cities that are undergoing downtown reforms.

How: "I use two guiding design principles for small spaces: Alvar Aalto's density of detail, and Louis Kahn's clear articulation of servant (service) and served (entertainment) spaces," says Kushner.

For Kushner, density of detail means taking design as a "sacred" practice where every detail is scrutinized and intentionally placed in space. "Space should have multiple purposes, sometimes three or four," says Kushner. For example, a kitchen can be used for cooking, home office work, dining and socializing.

Understanding small design is critical for the success of urban living. The downtown apartment simply cannot support huge bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms only to leave tiny spaces for socializing.

In the separation of service and entertainment areas, Kushner follows Kahn's belief that the entertainment areas should be open and free-flowing. Service areas should be compacted with smart shelving strategies.

[4]

Neutral Renovations
Judith M. Durham, Senior Vice President of Stribling & Associates,
Her apartment in New York City
Durham and Heather Aman, Architects of Heather Aman Design
stribling.com; amandesign.com

For: For both the suburban and urban dweller who wants to update their home, yet keep it adaptable to their changing décor tastes, thereby also making a future home sale even easier.

Trend defined: Since selling may not be an option, neutral renovations are at least a steady if not augmenting residential practice. The simple all-white décor was formally thought of as a posh modernist's style, but now it serves the pragmatist during uncertain economic times. "This type of style was popular during the pre-war era. It is now popular again because it won't go out of style in 10 years," says Durham.

How: Subtle earth tones and an all-white palette create a clean-slate canvas upon which an individual(s) expresses their creativity through interchangeable furnishings. "After 25 years of experience, I have always found that very individually styled homes are much harder to sell," said Durham. She suggested that when a home is decorated in neutrals, prospective buyers appreciate the increased brightness, the ability to imagine their belongings in such and lastly the more relaxing atmosphere.

[5]

Outdoor Rooms
Jamie Durie, host of "Victory Garden," PBS
Shades of Green Landscape Architecture
pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarden
shadesofGreenla.com

For: Any dweller who appreciates articulated landscaping that serves social functions in the form of outdoor rooms. These functional outdoor rooms can also be designed for shared space in multi-family housing.

Trend Defined: Research presented by the Urban Land Institute during the national conference in Denver, Colorado, in 2006 revealed buyers in the Generation X and Y categories are likely to place great value on outdoor room environments. ULI stated these buyers value the exterior appearance and functions of these spaces over interior spaces.

Jamie Durie, host of the "Victory Garden," said that "an outdoor room should make the homeowner as comfortable outside as they would in the privacy of their own home." Outdoor rooms may consist of kitchens, seating areas, pools, fire pits or other spaces.

How: "You can pretty much do anything outside that you can do inside these days," says Ive Haugeland and Tyler Fishman Manchuck, principals at Shades of Green.

Landscape architects and design/build firms are well equipped to design these outdoor spaces. "We have quite a few clients that are builders/developers that have hired us lately for high-end spec homes. The outdoor rooms seem to be as important to them as the indoor rooms," Haugeland and Fishman Manchuck concluded.

[6]

Clever Community Building Building
The Jeffery Place in Columbus Ohio
National Community Builders Inc.; Acock
Associates Architects
jefferyplace.com; acock.com

For: The dweller who wants to live in an urban, cultured and diverse community with many lifestyle amenities within walking distance.

Trend Defined: Planned developments, based on New Urbanism and the famous Seaside, Florida, design, are pleasant alternatives to the suburban environment. Urban dwellers can live in densely defined living spaces as long as there are respites of parks, artwork, nice sidewalks and parking, with tastefully composed façades.

How: Joe Recchie, president of National Community Builders, is a visionary that spearheaded The Jeffrey Place, built on a remediated industrial brownfield. The development consists of a loft building, single family homes, townhouses, apartments, artists' housing and a variety of other retail, restaurant, workout facilities and commercial spaces. Part of the effectiveness of his design is the artists' easement that facilitates the display of public artwork.

"Many buyers remark that the master plan has a European scale and sensibility, namely the walkability, public art and the sense of public realm," says Recchie. Most significantly, comm-unity dwellers enjoy a greater liberation from the automobile and from grueling commutes to work.

[7]

Hacienda
Heritage Architecture and ALTAIR Homes
heritagearchitecture.com
altairhomes.com

For: The dweller who is attracted to the beauty of handicraft that exhibits the human touch.

Trend Defined: In a technological age, many people feel comfort in connecting with human-touched details. William Morris, in the 19th century England, based all of his design on humanly derived details because he believed that industrialism was jarring and overstimulating. The new Hacienda trend is similar in the way that its design creates a respite characterized by nature rather than by the machine.

How: Plaster finishes, curved edges and natural stone distinguish this style of architecture. "Fortunately, the thickness of the sculptural plaster walls deters heat during the summer, keeping the interior home naturally cooler," said Mitch Yoakum of ALTAIR Homes. Also, the flat roof design easily lends to energy-saving devices such as photovoltaic cells or solar panels.

Pigmented plaster is another popular architectural detail. Before the plaster is applied, pigment (bright or neutral color) is added to wet mix. Once the last layer of colored plaster is set on the wall, the color diversifies on the surface. "Clients like how each wall is unique," says Yoakum.

[8]

Women-Inspired Townhouses
The Women III Showcase project in Woodstock, Georgia
Hedgewood Properties
hedgewoodhomes.com

For: Those who desire a home built for the needs of a woman and her roles within the family and within society at large.

Trend Defined: Hedgewood Properties recognized that a woman is often the person for whom the home is designed. "We built three different townhomes that reflected three different life stages for women and their family needs," said Barbara Warner, sales and marketing for Hedgewood Homes. The three connected townhomes were designed for Traditional Home Magazine and are set into a walkable community.

How: More and more, women are taking on the role of stay-at-home entrepreneur. One of the townhomes is designed with a home office, play areas for growing children and with community spaces such as the kitchen that serves a range of social functions.

Finally, women who are single professionals or at the beginning of their married life need a home suitable for relaxing after a hard day and for hosting visitors. The home for the single professional errs more on the side of entertainment while the home for the young married couple focuses on a relaxing environment. These townhomes are also suitable for retired-age women. "As baby boomers age, they desire to stay in their communities, but want to explore new lifestyle options," said Warner.

[9]

Mid-Century Ranch Home
The Barnes Residence in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Interiors by John Chadwick
interiorsbyjohnchadwick.com

For: Dwellers who have an appreciation for mid-century Modernism and efficiency of home design. "I have found that most people who either build a new home in the spirit of mid-century design or who renovate mid-century ranch homes are those late baby boomers who are nostalgic of their grandparents' mid-century home," says principle John Chadwick.

Trend Defined: There are many mid-century ranch homes that are now in need of renovation. The small efficient design of these moderately sized homes is ideal for Green renovations.

How: Mid-century ranch homes are characterized as one story, with two to three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, and large kitchens/dining/living rooms. Under- slab radiant heating, passive solar designs, horizontal windows and roof overhangs are also popular historical additions to many of these homes. Lastly, much of Julius Shulman's 1950s and 1960s photography popularized modern Californian ranch homes; many remember the gorgeous poolside photographs.

[10]

Informal & Flexible
The Sid Scott Residence in Portland, Oregon
Sid Scott of Scott/Edwards Architecture
seallp.com

For: The active, entertaining family.

Trend Defined: Families have changed how they interact, how they function in society, and how they entertain. The sometimes stiff, traditional home is no longer applicable. Instead, a home with a relaxed environment that can also accommodate changing scenery for family activities is becoming more popular. Since this home was built, the architecture firm has commissioned many more from clients who want a home that is similar.

How: Scott's home has a central area that he calls the "community center." All other rooms in the home are connected around this centralized two-height space. In the community center, the Scott family enjoys socializing, hosting musical concerts for up to 75 friends, children's birthday parties and even playing movies on a large two-level screen. Other features contribute to the home's flexible nature. The kitchen island is set on wheels, so it can be set according to cooking needs or set out of the way for large parties. The walls in the family office can be opened or closed to the community center as well as set up to divide the office space into two separate private areas. Plus, even lighting over the dining room adjusts with the adjustable length of the table. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1032 They likely never saw it coming. The result is a new approach to growing old. Boomers as well as their parents are opting to keep the homes they've owned since President Ford pardoned Nixon. Such decisions require some rearranging, and remodelers have taken notice, offering universal design services, otherwise known as aging in place. One goal is to create environments that anticipate the complications that come with aging bodies. Another goal is to transform the home to a place to start new lives and try new things. We'll look at both here, and introduce the growing trend of building new homes with these features already included.

The numbers support a robust market for such homes. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, there will be 72 million people over 65 by 2030. That's 20 percent of the population. In 2003, there were 36 million.

Also, according to the American Association of Retired People, 84 percent of homeowners over 50 want to remain in their community. Further, the AARP reports 90 percent of these people do not move from their original homes. That makes for a good future for such homes, and the present tense is keeping remodelers busy. So much so that many are taking certification courses to compete. Karen Burger-Kimber, owner of Your Home Doctor, a remodeling operation in Portland, Ore., is halfway through her coursework to become a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. The CAPS course is the creation of the NAHB and the AARP. Burger-Kimber says she signed up because she noticed the trend in the industry.

"I have friends who work in social services that have told me over and over again that the homes that people are trying to live in and stay in just cannot accommodate them," she says. "In my business, I've heard a lot of frustration about trying to get houses user-friendly for people with disabilities."

Burger-Kimber says this led her to research the issue, and this told her the need was not only there, but affecting everyone from contractors to manufacturers.

"I noticed there was a trend toward more and more of the mainstream fixture companies providing products that accommodate people with disabilities," she says.

In the course, Burger-Kimber worked in student groups to redesign spaces to meet standards established through the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We took a large walk-in closet and turned that into a large bathroom, and then we took the existing bathroom and made that into a smaller closet, so we could have that five-foot radius in the center of the room," she says. "There were discussions about how to widen doorways and to replace lighting fixtures to make them easier to use for people with limited mobility."

Part of the trick to remodeling in such a way is in avoiding an institutional appearance. Making it safe is one thing. Making it unattractive is another.

"You have to assess the house from the position of, ‘are we going to design this remodel to accommodate the people inside or for resale value?'" says Kenny Fritzler, owner of Handyman Matters in Vancouver, Wash. "Certainly, it's not always resellable. If it's the parents' desire to live in their house until they die, certainly they'll spend the money there instead of a nursing home. But it is going to affect the house."

Fritzler says amenities such as removable stair elevators are a good way to make the home livable but ensure resale possibilities. He also explains some of the fixes that seem easy can in fact become problems. Flooring is one.

"There's a double-edged sword there," he says. "They like the comfort of carpet, but hardwood floors are a little easier to navigate. Now, if they're wheelchair-bound, then flooring and doorways come into play. You'll need 36-inch doorways and sometimes you have to even expand the width of the hallway. That's an issue you don't think of, but it's bound to happen."

Also, he says the remodel could go beyond simple installations and into complete room additions.

"One thing is that you might have to look at having a live-in assistant. So, you might have to add a guest room to the house," he says.

Another area that surprised Burger-Kimber was lighting-fixture choice and placement.

"I hadn't really ever thought about it before, but when people have a difficult time changing light bulbs in a light fixture, having a fixture with more than one light bulb makes it easier for them when one bulb goes out. So the simple solution to that is to put in a fixture with multiple bulbs so they don't have to bother with replacement as much."

Beyond the lights, she says her field experience has shown her other little touches that can make a big difference in an older person's living environment.

"There was a real trend for a long time to have these faucets with a single control in the middle," she says. "Initially, they were thought of as easy to use, but they've proven very difficult for people to use when they don't have enough strength in their hands. A lot of the designs that are coming out now are easier to use and they have a more aesthetic appeal. They don't look so industrial or institutional."

Another real-world application Burger-Kimber implements is to design a vanity so that it's wide enough in the center to accommodate a wheelchair.

"I'm also finding that people don't want to have the glass doors on their showers," she says. "They want curtains, and then they want to put bars in the shower area. There are more attractive bar designs now, so they don't look like a handicap bar, they look like something you could hang a washrag or a towel on, but they're actually reinforced in the back."

THRIVING RATHER THAN SURVIVORING

This idea opens the door to the brighter side of aging-in-place. Dave Dickenson is co-owner of In Your Home, a remodeling company that specializes in aging-in-place design. Dickenson says more people are looking for a remodel that lets them reinvent themselves.

"We do see people start thinking in this direction when people become empty nesters," he says. "When their kids are gone and they start thinking about grandchildren coming to visit. Or maybe they now have more room and time and they start thinking about the bonus room in the basement, and they'll say, ‘now we want it to be our entertainment and recreation space, I had a client once who said, ‘I hated this kitchen for 40 years, my husband did it and now I'm going to have the kitchen I've always wanted.'"

Still, Dickenson says there are clients that need the assistance. This, he says, is generally not expected.

"In general, when it comes to aging in place, very few of us are proactive," he says. "A lot of our work comes when somebody has had a fall and they're going through rehab or some other life-changing event."

In Your Home works to blend the necessary with the lifestyle, offering consulting that lets them take the new directions of older life.

"We always say that it's about envisioning your retirement environment," he says. "One example I think is a great feature for aging in place is a pot filler over the stove. When you get older and you want to fill up a big pot, you don't have to carry that pot to the sink to fill it up. Nobody would think that was an ‘old person's' thing, but it is supportive. So, if you can work design elements into the project as you're doing a remodel, it's so much more effective. It becomes second nature and when you do get older and need them, there's just no thought about it."

THINKING AHEAD

The business of remodeling for aging in place is as much about the present as it is about predicting the need of the future. Burger-Kimber takes this approach when consulting with clients.

"I'm trying to help them think about what the place needs to be like in another five to 10 years," she says. "This certification gives me a little bit more credibility when I'm talking about kitchen and bath modifications. Because that's a big ticket item. The bathroom is the most expensive room in a house next to the kitchen. Another thing we're doing is if the person doesn't want the grab bars just yet, we're installing baking plates in the walls and then taking pictures of the position so that when they do need the bars, those baking plates are already there."

NEW HOME THINKING

While so many are remodeling homes for the immediate future, developments like Fox Hollow in Naugatuck, Conn., offer new homes designed to age in place. The 20 single-story homes in the development feature wider doorways, no-step entries, lever-handled doors and electrical outlets situated higher on the walls to allow wheelchair-bound people to get to them. The homes, which start at $400,000, also feature sinks with space underneath for wheelchairs. The homes are planned around a four-phase aging process. The first is for active people in their 50s, the second phase allows for possible accommodations for elderly parents, through the use of a bonus room. Phase 3 incorporates the built-in monitoring system and access to hospital personnel. Phase 4 allows for live-in care. Bear in mind that this "assisted living" approach is only secondary to the overall design, which brings luxury and style, along with room to grow, to the homeowner. The man behind the development, Gary Bonomo, speculates he will "either be held up as a visionary or taken out of town on a wagon."

Given the numbers, our money's on the former. ]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 http://www.buildernewsmag.com/viewnews.pl?id=1025 THREAT ASSESSMENTS

The Wildfire Solutions Group, formed just this year, aims to consolidate the collection of fire prevention methods and products into one destination. The group performs threat assessments of properties and then recommends a course of action. Christopher Prosa of CSS Fire, maker of high-end external protection systems that sheet the home in water, is a member of WSG.

"When we do our threat assessments, we take into account everything," Prosa says. "Longitude and latitude, wind factors, where the house is situated, if it's in between hills." Prosa says the group was formed in part because not everyone can afford the pricey system offered by CSS Fire. "The CSS system is a very high-end option that we have," he says, "so there's a high price tag that goes along with it. We put Wildfire Solutions Group together because sometimes it might not be cost-efficient to put the system in. It may be better to do some brush remediation or introduce some fire retardants or to give you our expertise in general."

Along with the advice and the product recommendations, WSG also performs brush clearing and remediation. This, Prosa believes, is the responsibility of the homeowner or developer. "We see that the firefighting agencies are overloaded in general," he says. "It should be the responsibility of the homeowner to clear brush and to get things ready, and then after that point let the firefighters do their job. But I honestly think that if we keep building and developing in these areas that it's going to become more and more of a problem."

FIRE VENTS AND CURTAINS

Prosa estimates there are around four million houses in the California wildlandurban interface. This density creates ample opportunity for carelessness. "Most people don't know that they need a defensible space," he says. "And may not realize that embers can fly. They've actually recorded an ember flying over four miles and starting another fire. If an ember gets through at all on any roof, it will just burn the house to the ground a lot of times."

Those embers, also called firebrands, could be the worst aspect of an encroaching wildfire. They're like scouts: advance parties looking for any minor breach in the line. From there, the little sappers dig in and breathe fire into the home.

"In reality all it takes is an ember somewhere that's going to start a fire in a push broom that's sitting on a patio somewhere, or through hot flames that come through an attic vent."

That's Jim Roth, president of Storm King Mountain, maker of heavy fire curtains for vehicles. His comment on the vents touches on a major issue in fire protection, and one company-formed by a firefighter-has a product designed to snuff these embers before they can destroy. Brandguard Vents is the result of Brent Berkompas' experience fighting fires in 2003 and 2007. He noticed the large amount of homes destroyed by embers that had crept in through poorly protected vents. From there, he and his wife Kathy developed a vent system that creates a defeating obstacle course for the embers.

"We're the only one with the overlapping baffle protection," says Kathy. "So when embers and flames hit the vents, it's very difficult for them to even get in. But if one happens to get through the maze, it's then forced to change direction so many times that it acts like a heat sink, so when it gets to the other side it's not hot anymore."

Kathy says she's concerned that many builders and homeowners may get a false sense of security from simply placing a screen over their vents. This is the conventional wisdom. So much so that even National Geographic declared it a good move in a piece the magazine published on wildfires.

"We don't want people to think that's all they have to do," she says.

She's not alone. The state of California in 2007 revised its building code to require ample vent protection.

"…Roof and attic vents shall resist the intrusion of flame and embers into the attic area of the structure," the code reads, "or shall be protected with corrosionresistant, noncombustible wire mesh with 6 mm openings or its equivalent." While the code still allows for the screen, Kathy and others advocate for more. Roth at Storm King Mountain plans to introduce a residential application of his fire curtain product.

"Our intention is to provide this fire barrier that would cover large windows and French doors in a motorized track system," he says. "The curtains have been used by fire agencies since 1996. The only difference is that for the home, it all has to fit into a nicely decorative soffit above the door or the eaves. And it also has to be on a motorized track system so that even if the homeowner is not home, the computer system will detect that there is a wildfire and deploy the curtains." This product, Roth says, is just a production run away from reality.

"It's all technology that's available today," he says. The value of the curtain lies in keeping the extreme heat of a fire from igniting materials inside the home; something a fire can do without even getting inside.

"The science of it is that window glass is only going to reflect 50 percent of the thermal load that comes through the window," Roth explains. "You can get different tinting and whatnot but the rule of thumb is that only 50 percent of the radiant heat will reflect. That means there's another 50 percent that's going to come through the window glass and ignite carpet and curtains, even though the window might be intact. There's still going to be enough of a thermal energy load that it's going to ignite things inside."

While this new system and vents like Brandguard are big steps in the defensibility of wildfire-exposed neighborhoods, Roth says there can never be one answer.

"If you're doing fire protection of a house, you really have to have a combination of foam, gel, vegetation management, fire curtain and flame-proof paints," he says. "We provide not one answer, but Wildfire Solutions Group is a team of experts that go in and assess the property. Based on the fire history, the landscaping and the home, we recommend a variety of solutions."

DECKING FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE ZONES

When it comes to the deck you put in place, there is currently only one that meets the Underwriters Laboratories Classification for the state of California and San Diego County for new construction use in Wildland-Urban Interface fire zones. In these areas, new building fire codes went into effect January 1, 2008, and AZEK Deck is the only decking of its kind to achieve these designations to date.

"Training sessions statewide about the new fire codes have emphasized that it's no longer a simple matter of having a Class A, B or C fire rating," says Craig Young, AZEK territory manager for Northern California. "It's about meeting the standards that the state of California has determined are critical in the WUI designated areas.

Such products go a long way in the quest for a comprehrehensively fireresistant home, but as Roth explains, it's just part of the greater design.

"There's no one magic bullet," he says. "If you're going to protect a homeowner and his family while they're taking shelter in the home, says Roth, adding, "there's no one particular product that's going to save a home every time. You really have to look at all the aspects of a home and determine where it's at risk." ]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2008