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As Seen in BUILDER Magzine
GOOD THINGS come in small packages
The new economy's house plans have also gotten developers and builders going back to governments to ask for re-platting to allow for more houses to be built closer together. Since government remains reluctant to increase densities, the new homes end up clustered closer together leaving more open space in other parts of the community, Wentling says."
He thinks the trend toward smaller houses is more than economic. "I think there's just more of a living with less ethic than we have had in the past.""
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
NINE ON DESIGN
"A significant number of people are switching from single-family to multi-family -- this is borne out in the housing figures observes Philadelphia architect Jim Wentling, who designs house plans in addition to project work. In multi-family we're seeing more small footprint designs that place garages on the first floor and two living levels above, which is very economical to build per square foot."
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
Garden State of Mind - Main Street Metuchen
"Architecturally, only modern materials such as vinyl siding, cultured stone chimneys and Anderson windows confirm the true age of the residences. They otherwise honor the prevailing 1920's Dutch Colonials, Foursquares and Victorian styling of of other homes around town. "We tried to make them look like older, remodeled homes," says architect Jim Wentling".
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
Builder's Choice Merit Award - McConnell at Davidson
"If you're talking planning, this is good planning," said one judge about this 200 unit family oriented project. Situated on 98 acres near Davidson College, which sponsored the project, the community offers faculty and administration affordable housing.
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
Builder Choice - Grand Award - Breckenridge
"The architect and builder set out to create a detached product that would serve a low-income market and at the same time soothe the concerns of upscale neighbors. The judges were delighted to see such "expensive looking" housing for such a low cost. Said one, "You could take this kind of project all over the country.""
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
Working with Architects
"Bob Fusari, president of Real Estate Service of Connecticut in Middletown, CT builds about 30 houses a year. "I use Jim almost exclusively" Fusari says. "He's creative, but he isn't sitting in an ivory tower. He understands the economic envelope and market conditions builders have to work with.""
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As Seen In Builder Magazine
Maintaining Rural Character - Summerfield at Elverson
"The Stoltzfus family once farmed Summerfield's 200 acres. Now they're developing the site as an extension of the little village of Elverson -- with as little effect on the land as possible. At build-out, Summerfield will have 700 attached and detached houses, which will be clustered to leave pastureland and existing wetlands undisturbed. Other low-impact strategies include narrow streets without curbs, attractive retention ponds, walking paths connecting to Elverson, super-insulated buildings, ground source heat pumps and low water consumption fixtures.
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As Seen in BUILDER Magazine
Builder's Best - Heritage Fields
Heritage Fields in East Lyme, CT, a 70 lot community which features traditional New England designs, won the title of "Best Single Family Subdivision" from the HBA of Connecticut. The 1,550 to 2,260 square foot houses cluster around a series of cul-de-sacs throughout the wooded site. The builder was Nazarko Homes in Niantic, CT.
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As Seen in Builder Magazine
Builder's Best - Wickford Point
Wickford Point is now 103 single family lots with 24 acres of open space along the water's edge in North Kingston, RI. It's narrow streets, shallow setbacks, brick sidewalks and shingled houses recall old secoast towns nearby.
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