I have the privilege of participating on an architectural review board (yep, this time it is a privilege!) for a new development in Southeast Orlando called Laureate Park at Lake Nona. The 2500 home community is being developed in collaboration with GE and compliments the neighboring Lake Nona Medical City, which will include hospitals, and bio-science research centers. The premise behind the development is to create a true live-work-play community that offers all amenities and services needed for a sustainable and walkable lifestyle.

The unique part of this particular DRB is the introduction of Transitional Architecture. I worked with the Lake Nona team in developing standards that have become the guide for builders to follow. The three national builders are Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes, and K Hovanian, each of which builds a very market driven home with familiar architectural themes.

Our goal was to take the traditional models and add some twists and turns through material, texture, color and massing opportunities. At first glance the homes will appear as “normal”, but at second look you will notice exposed concrete block columns in lieu of traditional round Doric columns, or a wire mesh railing in lieu of a traditional vertical style, corrugated metal siding in lieu of shakes, etc. The idea is to add a fresh approach that addresses a more urban fabric for single and multi-family housing without going full out contemporary or modern…the result is somewhere between traditional and modern.

At first the builders were somewhat reluctant to the variation of norm, but turns out that was due primarily to some confusion regarding what exactly we were asking them to do. We have weekly DRB meetings, stay in close communication with the builders design teams, and have had one on one meetings with their groups to walk through some specifics and clarifications. The attitudes now are of renewed excitement in creating designs, which before, were somewhat outside the comfort range. The new style has been embraced and the builders are quite happy with the results.

Some of the concepts can be found in the Green Builder VISION House Orlando '11, which I designed for GBM for the International Builders Show in Orlando earlier this year. We also collected examples from a variety of other homes that have used the techniques.

The series of SketchUp images below offers an example of the range of styles that can be created from one particular floor plan. The photo of the Vision House also depicts several transitional elements being incorporated at Laureate Park such as the corrugated skin on the bump out at side, standing seam metal roof, the “hog fence” porch railing (which was used both outside and inside), the extension of column bases past the second floor porch floor at to grade below, and the serpentine whimsical window pattern at the stair way.

These are all elements that do not immediately catch the eye as being anything different, but upon closer look you see the wit and animation Transitional Architectural style can bring to a project.

It is just about Harvest time for the fruits of the labor...

The 2011 VISION House, aka "The Urban Farmhouse" is nearing completion and crews are anxiously wrapping up the loose ends. The home will be open for tours this week during IBS and we all look forward to showing off the results of some very great and dedicated efforts.

This is a project that evolved quickly, starting with what was to be a somewhat industrial concept that turned the corner to one which is now defined by the term, urban farmhouse. It is a concept that I intend to expand and experiment with on a series of projects. I think there is a great deal of interest in a simpler, more down to earth way of living that is highlighted through the inclusion of home gardens, rain water collection, low/no maintemance materials and a way of life that offers more "life" and less "work". Just look at how many web sites there are that focus on urban farms, chickens, gardens, etc. People like to know where things come from and if there is a way to keep the source in your yard, then what a terrific luxury that is.

It also takes the right team to pull this type of project together. I had the great fortune of being at the right place at the right time to introduce Green Builder to Southern Traditions and it has turned out to be a perfect match. Jon & Kim, owners of Southern Traditions, completly understood and embraced the urban/rural connection, they saw the challenge and had the whimsical ability to think beyond the box and the "expected". Interior Designers Pat Gaylor and Delia Hanks picked up on the concept immediately as well and did an amazing job of making a new home feel as though it was a hundred year old farmhouse that had be redefined, unplugged, and modernized. And I would be totally remiss if I did not mention Barn Light Electric for including their fabulous line of lighting fixtures. They really are the essence of what makes The Urban Farmhouse tick and set the stage of inspiration for all of us. The inclusion of recycled plats as shelving, bleachers for the dining room table are two examples of how the builder and interior designers searched and reourced just the right elements. I have used items such as hog fence railing and corrugated metal as both interior and exterior design elements on other projects and they too found the right place to express the right message.

So...thanks again to Green Builder magazine for sponsoring this wonderful project, I hope many of you will have a chance to see it in person and I would love your feedback ibe on the look out for more urban farmhouses...one could be coming to a neighborhood near you...

 

I have finally come up with an architectural style for the 2011 Vision House, and have dubbed it the “New Urban Farmhouse”. Taking its roots from familiar architectural styles in the Orlando fringe community such as Folk Victorian, Florida Coastal, and Greek Revival.

Familiar elements include the gable roof, front porches on both floors, and extended vertical columns, but with a twist. All of the architectural elements have been redefined and unplugged. The porch railing is an industrial system of steel mesh also carried through to the interior stair and loft railings as well as the second floor terrace in the rear between the main house and detached garage. The galvanized metal roof, in its natural color, is used as a vertical design element on the two story side pop out portion of the house, which will bring the roof material all the way to the ground. The exterior lighting includes re-introduced industrial gooseneck fixtures reminiscent of those found on rural barns and industrial buildings.

The interior spaces are also somewhat unplugged in its redefining of floor plan layout. The first floor is wide open from the front to the rear door giving the space a very “loft like” flow of openness and flexibility. The kitchen is the “true” heart of the home which all other activities revolve.

The white horizontal siding and galvanized aluminum roof make the home appear as if it could comfortably rest in a picturesque rolling hill farmstead setting, but with the familiar thread of an urban infill housing style.

It is a home that will require a second look as one passes due to the subtle, but deliberate, choice of detail, animation and whimsy.

The home is dried in...

Visited the VISION House today and it really is coming together nicely. Just having the windows set makes a huge difference in the overall scale of the home, and it feels fantastic. The windows are Low e Andersen single hung with a center vertical stile in the upper sash, which fits the architecture very well. The duct work, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler lines are close to completion as well.

Decision has been made about the metal roof color, which will be a galvanized aluminum and the lap siding will be white...plus the two strory bump out on the south side will also be skinned with the galvanized roof...should look very awesome...and very "urban farmhouse". In addition, the exterior industrial lighting from Barn Light Electric will look awesome against the light color of the house.

We also discussed the use of "off the shelf" chain link or similar fencing to use as porch, balcony, and landing railings...will experiment with that some more. What I like about it is it showcases how to use common materials in unexpected ways, part of what we would like this home to showcase.

I have posted some of the latest photos...let me know your thoughts....thanks.ed.   

                         

Framing just about complete...

Went by the house today and was very excited with the prgress over the last couple of weeks, in spite of the horrid storms everyday here in Central Florida. The home is really taking shape and the spaces are starting to identify themselves. It's always fun going through a home at this stage, the interior feels pretty much as it will when complete and the choices made during design become exposed. So far...all is well, the spaces feel great.

The ICF system is showing it's merit too, even during construction the spaces stay cooler for the crews inside due to extreme R-Value of the walls.

This home fits very well into the fabric of the neighborhood and, according to Jon, the neighbors are all quite excited about the home, the construction systems, and the openess of the interiors. The outdoor living connection between main house and garage is also framed up and will become a primary living area for the residents. It is large enough for entertaining easily around an outdoor fireplace and grill and will be a natural extension of the indoor living.