THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610040465
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: 142 lines
The 15th annual Homearama features prices a little lower, roofs more varied and driveways a little less functional.
Just call it the '90s look, says Charlie Anderson, who is chairing the yearly event that lets the members of the Tidewater Builders Association show off their homebuilding expertise.
This year, the dwellings are priced in the upper 200s. The houses have more gables and distingushed roof lines.
``Many of the homes display unique driveways this year,'' Anderson says, noting the stamped, stained, multicolored, patterned and exposed designs that go where the asphalt is usually placed. Different is in.
Other trends - many surviving from previous Homearamas - in this year's houses include transitional styles, high ceilings, Jacuzzi tubs, skylights, abundant windows, hand painted wall designs, two-story foyers with large chandeliers, entertainment centers with large screen TVs, arched windows and door ways and specialty brickwork.
The purpose of the event, opening today in South Shore Estates, Virginia Beach, is to stimulate interest in new housing and home ownership in general. This unusual 150-acre neighborhood is divided by a 50-acre, fish-stocked bulkheaded lake that's fed by underground springs.
The area was developed by Eric Anderson, president of Lakeside Construction Corp., who also developed Red Mill Farm.
Most of the Homearama houses have an unobstructed view of the tranquil lake. The design and location of the neighborhood blends beauty and solitude with convenient access to the city's amenities.
Theme houses are big this year. For instance, there is the Virginian-Pilot Readers' House, the Barrier Free House, the TBA/Cox Communications Charity House, the Lynnhaven Mall house and the Concrete House.
Da Vinci, The Virginian-Pilot Readers' Home, was built by Charlie Anderson Builder Inc., in response to newspaper readers ideas as to what a dream house should be.
The Universal Living Home, built by Janet and Jerry Harris of Barrier Free Remodeling & Custom Homes, is this couple's Homearama debut. Jerry and his wife, Janet, an occupational therapist, combined their talents to bring disabled individuals a barrier free environment that is universally functional and attractive.
``It's really important to us that people not think of this as a handicapped house. It's a universally accessible house.''
A transitional floor plan with wide halls, minimal doors, accessible master and guest suites and baths, a garage wheelchair lift, pull out/down shelves, built-in ironing boards, lower or higher appliances and switches and many other accessibility features, make this house user friendly.
A master bathroom tub by Kohler has a door with seals around it to prevent water leaking. The Harrises have added many other functional amenities, such as an automatic bathroom fan, bathroom phone, automatic closet lights, remote control master bedroom skylights with remote control blinds and sensors to close them when it rains, a rolling kitchen cart with the stove and remote control exterior and interior garage door locks and lights.
The Harrises have an extensive remodeling business. For new construction, they build only universal living houses. ``This is it; this is the only one,'' says Jerry.
Silver Belle, the Charity House, was built by Cindy Ray of The Ashcroft Co. Proceeds from the Homearama charity houses, has raised more than $404,00 in eight years for the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Hampton Roads. Many members of the building community made contributions to this year's house, which has already been sold.
The traditional two-story brick house is a Southern Living design. It has four bedrooms. Ray calls her creation a ``sustainable house,'' meaning that it has such ecological features as recyclable building components; an energy and water efficient climate control system, appliances and lights; an energy conserving building shell, and energy saving architectural features.
Of course, environmentally friendly building techniques were used.
The Lynnhaven Mall House, was built by Jack and Margaret Schoch of JF Schoch Building Corp.. This Floridian contemporary displays accessories and furniture almost exclusively from Lynnhaven Mall.
A ``twin'' house is at center court in the shopping mall. The house was built with an exterior siding called ``STO'' that's becoming popular, especially in the West. Often thought to be stone or stucco, the EIFS exterior has superior insulating abilities.
EIFS is applied over wood frames and comes in many types of colors and textures. It's a multi-layered, integrated exterior wall cladding system usually made up of insulation board, base coat reinforced with fiberglass mesh and a lasting finish coat.
A mechanical attachment/adhesive affixes the system to the house's substrate. The house's superior insulating quality adds comfort while being cost effective. This house has also been sold.
EIFS siding has had problems, mostly the result of improper installation, which allows moisture to accumulate within the wall pocket. The TBA has an intensive training program for its members who use the siding. Jack Schoch says he offers a five-year warranty on siding he installs.
Menden Hall, (the Concrete House) built by Andrew Joseph and Reid Pocock of Dominion Building Group Inc. is their Homearama debut. A recent building technique is used - concrete framing with PolySteel forms.
In the last 10 years, PolySteel, once used only in basements, has been increasingly used for the entire house. Skyrocketing lumber costs and an awareness of energy efficiency as well as security and durability needs has led to the change, says Pocock.
Insulating concrete forms (PolySteel) of expanded polystyrene are stacked before concrete is poured into the mold and the structure takes shape. The forms stay in place and give the house superior insulation.
These forms offer superior strength over traditional stick construction. Concrete homes can withstand seismic activity and hurricanes. They offer energy efficiency, fire resistance and quietness to the house - so much so that some insurance and electric companies offer discounts to these homeowners.
Any type of exterior siding can be added. Usually sheet rock/drywall is used on the interior. The exterior finish of this transitional ranch is Dryvit. This house has been selected by the National Association of Home Builders as a demonstration project.
Hakuna Matata, built by Kenn Sedlacko and Chip Iuliano of Area Builders Inc., is its own theme. The ``no worries'' house exudes elegant relaxation from its transitional floor plan with curved stairway with acrylic balusters and informal back staircase.
Other amenities include a Jacuzzi and glass shower, a sunken family room with a lake view and contemporary hand-painted fireplace, and a built-in entertainment center. Perhaps the feature that best fits the house's ``no worries'' theme is the special window in the wall between the home office and the playroom, allowing a working parent to keep an eye trained on the kids. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Gary C. Knapp
Menden Hall, the Concrete House, is one of the more unusual
structure in this years's Homearama in Virginia Beach
The Universal Living House is barrier free and located on the
neighborhood lake.
Dave Tyler spruces up the doorway of the Brian Kiley as opening day
approaches.
Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Check out The Yorktown see the house that won for best foyer and
master suite. It features a combination hearth-entertainment center.
A view from the lakeside property of The Concrete House, a dwelling
likely to lure many visitors.
GRAPHIC
EDITOR'S NOTE:
For a detailed list of the display houses in Homearama '96 and
their awards, please turn to page 6.
The da Vinci, The Virginian-Pilot Readers' Home, will be featured
Sunday in the Home & Garden section.
KEYWORDS: HOMEARAMA by CNB