The vision was to create single-family detached homes in a neighborhood aimed entirely at entry-level/first-time buyers, so price was a huge driver in all decisions. Delivering on this meant crafting a site plan that respected walkability, neighborhood connections, flexibility for the builder and delivered density with dignity for home owners. Four single-family detached product lines offer multiple lifestyles in a tight square-foot range—1,044 to 1,820—that live large, offer private outdoor living and direct-access garages. Architect/Designer | Bassenian LagoniBuilder | The New Home…

According to the latest Survey of Construction (SOC), 42 percent of new single-family detached homes sold in 2022 were built on lots under 7,000 square feet, that is smaller than 1/16 of an acre. This is the highest share on record and reflects stark changes in the lot size distribution since the Census Bureau started tracking these series over 20… Read More ›

The owners, who split their time between Arizona and Illinois, were ready to plant firm roots in the Southwest. Drawn to Spanish-style homes often found in California, the owners—one of which is an interior designer—envisioned a house inspired by a classic foundation but with an updated neutral color palette, with layers of warmth and texture. With Scodro’s vision, the team collaborated on the single-story, hacienda-style structure with sweeping vistas and a floor plan that encouraged family togetherness and outdoor living,…

According to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), stucco was the most common principal siding material on new single-family homes started in 2022 (28%), followed by vinyl siding (26%), fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard (21%) and, brick or brick veneer (18%). Far smaller shares of single-family homes started last year had wood or wood… Read More ›

This western mountain contemporary home is designed with a strong connection to the surrounding forest. The home’s interior details needed to support “transparency” to allow the outdoors in. The remodeled stairway was greatly affected by this design directive. Functional and safe, it needed to be open, tied to the exterior and the forest beyond. Continuity between the interior and exterior were achieved by using thick oak timber treads and a stainless-steel rod system that mimics the cable rail system on…

We are less than a week away from the deadline to enter BALA. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be recognized during BALA’s 40th Anniversary celebration and for your project to be placed in the BALA archives. 5 Reasons to Apply for a Best In American Living Award: Recognition & Prestige: BALA is as a symbol of excellence in our industry. Networking Opportunities: Participating in the BALA awards connects you with industry leaders, influencers and fellow professionals to expand your professional network, exchange…

According to the data released by Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), private fixed investment in student dormitories inched up 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.6 billion in the second quarter of 2022, after a 6.4% increase in the first quarter. Private fixed investment in dorms was 8.7% higher than a year ago, but still below the… Read More ›

NAHB analysis of the 2022 Census Bureau Survey of Construction (SOC) data shows that, nationwide, the share of non-conventional financing for new home sales accounted for 28.1% of the market, roughly the same as in 2021, at 28.8%. As in previous years, conventional financing dominated the market at 71.9% of sales. In 2020, the share of non-conventional financing was 34.4%… Read More ›

The vision for this kitchen was a modern design with warm wood tones and lots of texture and movement. The goal was to be creative with storage and not just fill the space with cabinets. Designing hidden work areas — such as the coffee bar and smoothie prep station on the fridge wall — brought added function to the kitchen. The pocket door system for the hidden coffee bar and smoothie prep station had to be engineered onsite. The quartzite…

Go Back to the Old Neighborhood. Very simply, build neighborhoods, not homes.  Hurried and harried, today’s predominantly baby-boomer buyers want the charm and security they associate with grandma’s house from years past. That requires vintage architectural packages set in landscaped, pedestrian-friendly environments. Create a Look that’s Timeless. Traditional design has been the fashion leader in recent years. The emphasis now is on more authentic, more regionally accurate, traditional designs. Buyers want their new homes to be future-proof – classic exteriors…