Castle in Brooklyn, Bronze Award, Single-Family Production Under 2,000 sf

Castle in Brooklyn

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Entrant/Builder/Interior Designer: Garman Homes

Designer: Homes Unique

Developer: Newland Communities

Photographer: Kyle Ketchel/TourFactory

Size: 2,164 sf

Sales price: $325,000

Hard cost, excluding land: $99/sf

Completion: September 2016

Named after lyrics from a Beastie Boys song, not for an actual structure in New York City, Castle in Brooklyn aims for maximum versatility within a Chapel Hill, N.C., planned community. The 2,200-square-foot home packs many possibilities into a compact frame.

A large family could outfit as many as five rooms as bedrooms. A first-floor suite can accommodate in-laws permanently or occasional guests, or be converted into a private office or den. Most of the bedrooms are small (11 feet by 10 feet or 10 feet by 12 feet), but large enough for a queen bed without feeling squeezed.

"A big challenge was to make the space live larger," says Allison King, president of Garman Homes. An expansive, open living/kitchen area provides a feeling of depth. A private balcony off the master bedroom adds bonus space. A 10-foot by 10-foot loft can be a playroom, a video-game lounge, or an office.

The compact form means a lower price point, allowing more room in the budget for optional features and finishes such as cedar beams and wall accents; a stainless steel farmhouse sink; and an expanded kitchen island. Built-ins throughout and an optional screened porch are among the notable features.

Since the homes are clustered close together, for increased privacy only transom windows were included on walls facing neighbors. The lots are tiny (backyards are just 120 square feet) the community has a wealth of parks and walking trails.