For those seeking the perfect dream home, the nation’s builders may already have one, and it’s situated here.
Called the New American Home 2008, it showcases the ultimate in modern residential construction.
Built as the official show house at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla., last month, it already has been toured by thousands of members of the National Association of Home Builders during their annual convention, and is now open to the public by appointment.
What’s so special about it?
Energy efficiency is among the top benefits of the New American Home. Much of its cutting-edge features are not visible from outside.
From the street, the New American Home looks old. Its plantation-style architecture harkens back to the 19th Century. The almost “Gone With the Wind” facade is resplendent with six two-story-high white columns.
But the vintage look is just part of its appeal.
The entrance to the 6,725-square-foot house is flanked by two separate garages facing a motor court — a giveaway that this is indeed a 21st Century residence.
This is the 25th New American Home. Each year a New American Home is built at the site of NAHB’s annual convention. The house is co-sponsored by the National Council of the Housing Industry and Builder Magazine.
The timing of the New American Home couldn’t be more up-to-date. It jumps on the bandwagon of two current trends — saving energy and helping to save the planet by going green.
“The 2008 home not only showcases the latest products and construction innovations, it also is exciting because it’s the first official show home certified under the NAHB National Green Building Program,” said Charles Robertson, president of Robertson Homes in St. Cloud, Fla., the builder.
The house uses 62 percent less energy for heating and cooling and 57 percent less energy for water heating. Overall, it represents a 42 percent energy savings, Robertson noted.
Despite the potential for saving on future utility bills, the home’s buyer first must come up with the substantial purchase price. It is currently on the market for $4.8 million.
Overlooking Lake Nona, some 16 miles from central Orlando, it is the first house built in the gated Water’s Edge subdivision, near a lakefront park, boat dock and other custom homes.
Inside, the most eye-catching space is the two-story grand salon, with a fireplace and soaring windows framing the back yard.
The floor plan includes a first-floor master suite, as well as a suite for an elderly parent or long-term guest.
Also on the first floor is the open kitchen/nook/family combination. A library and an outdoor kitchen complete the main level.
The second floor is dominated by the spacious club room with theater-quality entertainment. Also upstairs are two bedrooms and a crafts room.
Not just another fancy model home, the New American Home is conceived as a real-world laboratory. It contains concepts, materials, designs and construction techniques that can be replicated in whole or in part in housing built any place and in any price range.
It incorporates new techniques for tightening the building envelope so that smaller, less expensive heating and cooling systems can be used.
Energy consumption of new houses can be reduced by as much as 50 percent with little or no impact on the cost of construction, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
This New American Home reflects its central Florida location with palms towering over the front yard. But it’s not just a Southern-style residence.
“With many universal features, it was designed so that it could be built in other regions of the U.S.,” said architect Dan Sater II of the Sater Group in Bonita Springs, Fla.
He added that “in colder climates the outdoor living areas could be enclosed with transparent shutters.
“Its balanced, geometric design has a classical look. It was a dream to design the New American Home,” Sater said.
It features another hot trend in housing today — the increased popularity of outdoor living spaces.
“Outdoor living will expand. People enjoy indoor/outdoor living spaces. This big trend started in California, but it can be adapted elsewhere, even in Chicago. It goes far beyond back yard barbecues,” said Gopal Ahluwalia, staff vice president of research for NAHB.
The New American Home has 2,950 square feet of covered outdoor space, including a kitchen and a fireplace. Arched openings to the outside offer views of the pool and the lake in the distance.
The rear of the house provides as much architectural drama as the front. Four two-story-high pillars are reflected in the vanishing-edge pool.
Though painted white, the New American Home is green inside.
“It was almost completed when we were asked to go green. But we’ve always built with energy efficiency in mind, so not many changes had to be made,” said Robertson. “A lot of green is just common sense. And there’s not a major cost difference.”
While some critics call the green movement a gimmick to sell homes in a down market, builders maintain that home buyers are asking for green. The environmental movement seems to have gained traction because of the dire threats of global warming.
Robertson outlined some of the New American Home’s green features:
“For wood, we used cypress, which is locally milled. Water is heated in half the house by solar panels, and the other half by tankless water heaters. In landscaping, we used plants native to Florida to reduce water use. We used pine needles instead of cypress mulch.”
Other green components include environmentally friendly toilets that reduce water use, Energy Star appliances, motion controlled lighting, restricted-flow water in showers, water-efficient faucets in sinks, zoned heating and cooling, compact fluorescent lights and direct vent fireplaces to improve air quality. The swimming pool is maintained with salt rather than chlorine.
It took 10 months to construct the New American Home. Built to withstand hurricane-force winds, its exterior walls are aerated concrete blocks.
The attic is unvented, sealed and indirectly air conditioned. The air distribution system is airtight and entirely within the conditioned space.
No gas fumes can enter the house because the garages are not directly connected.
The interior design was by Robb & Stucky Interiors of Altamonte Springs, Fla., and the landscaping by Outside Productions of Bonita Springs, Fla.
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Standards for green building
The NAHB National Green Building Program includes these standards:
*Energy efficiency, including the right insulation and appliances requiring lower power.
*Water efficiency, promoted by low-flow toilets, aerated faucets, efficient washing machines and drought-tolerant landscaping.
*Resource efficiency, with the use of recycled building materials.
*Lot and site development. Homes should be protected from prevailing winds and take advantage of the sun’s light and energy. In addition, the lot’s natural features are preserved.
*Indoor environmental quality. This means that the air circulates well throughout the house and moisture and pollutants are minimized or sealed off.
*Global impact, as measured by whether the building materials emit harmful chemicals.
*Homeowner education. A key part of the process to keep the house green.
