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Thursday, 2 February 2006 | Elif Sungur
WCI Designs First Green New American Home
WCI Communities, Inc. has designed the first green certified New American Home, which previewed at the 2006 International Builders' Show in Orlando.
WCI's design of this year's New American Home received green certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) for its sustainable design. It is also the first time a builder's in-house architectural team was selected to design the New American Home.
"We are honored to have been selected to participate in this project," said WCI President and CEO Jerry Starkey. "It stands as a testament to an extremely talented architecture team that has time and again demonstrated its ability to design the most innovative green and healthy homes in Florida."
Each year since 1984, the National Association of Homebuilders has worked with industry experts and manufacturers to design and showcase the New American Home - but this year's home at 7,367 square feet presented a green building challenge for WCI designers. The greenest home WCI has designed and constructed is the 2,195 square-foot "Casa Verde" demonstration home at Venetian Golf & River Club in Venice, Fla. Every home at Venetian was built to the 200-point minimum FGBC green building standard, a standard which awards points for energy and resource conservation as well as indoor air quality.
Designing green for such a large and nationally-visible home - in an industry that is still growing in its own commitment to green building - allowed WCI to raise the green building bar for other homebuilders. The National Association of Home Builders selected WCI's Architecture team to design the 2006 New American Home, largely for its expertise in green design. WCI has built more homes that have been green certified by FGBC than the combined total of all homebuilders in the state.
"With the New American Home there's pressure to dazzle the public with the latest features, but our job was to balance those desires with sustainable practices," said Christopher Joiner, AIA, WCI's Director of Design. "As a result, the 2006 New American Home is probably more impressive than any that have preceded it."
WCI's green design meant that the home received points from FGBC for how it is designed with a southern exposure; for its use of energy-saving foam insulation that allows air conditioning ducts to pass through conditioned space instead of through a hot attic; and for the use of window placements that take advantage of the climate. In this case, a Caribbean Colonial design means the home is only one room deep, allowing breezes to cool the home without the need for as much air conditioning. Large overhangs shade windows so windows do not transmit as much heat.
What's New?
Beyond its environmental and indigenous design, the home was also created for baby boomers and for a new breed of homeowner: the splitter. Splitters are people who own at least two homes and split their time for family, recreation or for work-life balance reasons. The first baby boomers turned 60 years old this year, and the home also was designed with them in mind.
"Baby boomers are experiencing changes to their lifestyles and they may have parents living or staying with them for extended periods," said Joiner. "They also want spaces where they can maintain their privacy or to share common spaces on comfortable terms."
The master bedroom features a retreat with refrigerator, coffee maker and all the comforts that go with having breakfast in your robe before saying good morning to the world or extended families. Yet, the common areas near the open kitchen capitalize on blending indoor and outdoor space. The design makes it easy for the family to interact and have their privacy respected.
WCI completed the first "Survey of Splitters" in late 2005. The survey of 408 splitters revealed strong family connections as a key motivation for owning a second home.
What Do Real Consumers Think?
Although WCI does not currently offer new homes for sale in the Orlando area, WCI recently opened a Prudential Florida WCI Realty office in Orlando and toured several target customers through the 2006 New American Home to see how it meets their needs.
"As a social person, I know guests would be comfortable and able to enjoy the superb views of the lake," said Prudential Florida WCI Realty customer Lorraine Butler, a stay-at-home mom who recently moved to Orlando from the United Kingdom. "It would be great for a gathering and fabulous just to sit back and relax in the rooms. The kitchen had a wonderful set up. I found each feature fascinating. I would change one thing - I would own that kitchen!"
Prudential Florida WCI customer Phyllis Tandy said her favorite room in the 2006 New American Home was the family room. Tandy is a retired school teacher from the Chicago area and a baby boomer.
"The family room provides a space for socializing and television watching, but even if the TV is off, it is extremely conducive to conversation," Tandy said. "The huge, pocket, sliding glass doors allow for interaction between the living room, the pool and the outdoor kitchen. There were great views of the pool and the lake. I was extremely impressed with the openness of the family room and outdoors."
What did Rebecca think?
Not everyone can afford the 2006 New American Home, which may have a final price of more than $5 million or $6 million. Rebecca Small, a 25-year-old, toured the home and cited 10 features that caught her interest. Here's her review:
Dog Play House - This fun place for Fido to hang out uses the space below the stairs that would otherwise be wasted. Rebecca said: "It was a great idea."
Countertop Steamer - A feature that promotes eating healthy - a convenient way to steam broccoli for dinner or as a snack. Rebecca said: "I'm always losing things, so I liked that."
"Man's Garage" - A man's haven where he can spend a lot of time, be comfortable and not have to enter the house to use the "little boy's room." Rebecca said: "My Dad would love it."
View From the Upstairs Loggia - The home's signature view. Rebecca can keep an eye on those in the pool, on the lake or watch the colors at sunset. Rebecca said: "It was inspirational."
Ceiling Water Bathtub - Designed as a "wow" feature. A bubble bath becomes an adventure. Rebecca said: "That's cool too."
Countertop Trough - A place to chill your wine before guests arrive, and a great way to save on the energy used by the constant opening and closing of a refrigerator during a party. Rebecca said: "I could completely see my friends hanging out here in this house with me."
Pool Palm Tree Islands and Caribbean Style - The moment you walk in the front door, this feature frames the lake. An outdoor Caribbean style momentarily makes you feel like you are on vacation. Rebecca said: "Orlando is a great place to enjoy the outdoors in the winter so it's a perfect backyard right in your house."
Car Wash Shower - Find out how a car feels going through the car wash. Clean! Water faucet positioning delivers the ultimate shower after a taxing day or workout. Rebecca said: "It's like a shower you see in a movie."
"Lighthouse" Entrance Way - Visible from the front of the home. Once inside, imagine being at the top of a lighthouse waiting for a ship to come ashore. Rebecca said: "I was a little dizzy from climbing the staircase."
Pocket Sliding Glass Doors and First Floor Loggia - The unique design allows homeowners to bring the outdoors in...and the indoors out. Walls can be opened for entertainment options. Guests can gather in the kitchen, living room or outside and feel they are part of the conversation. Rebecca said: "I've never seen a door like that and it makes total sense."
About WCI
WCI Communities, Inc., named America's Best Builder in 2004 by the National Association of Home Builders and Builder Magazine, has been creating amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities since 1946. Florida-based WCI caters to primary, retirement, and second-home buyers in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia. The Company offers traditional and tower home choices with prices from the low $200,000s to more than $10 million and features a wide array of recreational amenities in its communities. In addition to homebuilding, WCI generates revenues from its Prudential Florida WCI Realty Division, its mortgage and title businesses, and its amenities, as well as through land sales and joint ventures. The Company currently owns and controls developable land of over 17,000 acres
See http://www.WCIGreen.com for information about WCI's commitment to sustainable building practices, or visit http://www.wcicommunities.com
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