“We wanted to build a home that is more realistic, as far as size, price and location, which would appeal to an even broader audience,” said Serena Hahn, CEO of Envy Homes, which oversaw the project. “It’s definitely not your typical show home, but we know there’s incredible demand right now in this segment of the market, so there’s a lot of excitement to see what can be done within a property like this.”
Optimizing Space and Amenities
Located in Laureate Park in the Lake Nona region of Orlando, the home is nestled within a family-friendly community of single-family homes of various sizes. With 4,646 square feet of living space, the 2022 home is approximately one-third smaller than the average New American Home built within the last 10 years. However, despite its standard lot size and refined, yet modest, surroundings, the three-story New American Home takes full advantage of a unique layout that accommodates many of the latest product innovations and design trends.
“Although we were working within a smaller scope, we still found countless opportunities to create a ‘wow’ home and maintain a sense of luxury,” said Ed Binkley, director of design at BSB Design.
Binkley says the home has an especially strong indoor-outdoor connection, as all of the primary rooms open toward the central courtyard to provide an abundance of natural light. The home also features a rooftop deck, as well as a bar and grill for additional dining and entertaining space.
Designing for 2022 and Beyond
As consumer lifestyles have evolved, so too has reliance on the home as a place to work, exercise and learn. Binkley and the design team integrated multiple flex spaces in the 2022 home that could be used for a variety of activities.
“Home office space has re-emerged as an essential element, but it’s been redefined in a way,” Binkley said. “Now, it’s more about creating a space that’s flexible and can easily adapt to the unique needs of different buyer profiles, whether they need a home office, a gym or more space to entertain.”
The home also relies on strategic lighting design and placement to create different moods in different rooms. Some of the lighting is used to highlight key architectural features, while in other spaces the lighting fixtures are the focal points themselves. For example, the din- ing room features a statement-making arrangement of 48 pendant lights.
Building in a Pandemic
Even as one of the industry’s most prominent exhibits, the 2022 home faced many of the same problems as other projects as a result of the pandemic. From the very beginning, the project dealt with significant scheduling issues due to permitting delays and material shortages, which resulted in frequent cost fluctuations.
“Material prices were a constant challenge,” Hahn noted. “Several of our product manufacturers gave us multiple price increases — with little or no notice at all. Managing those increases and product deliveries created a domino effect of challenges we had to overcome.”
Despite many obstacles, the close collaboration of the various trades and the adaptable approach of the build team helped bring to life the unique vision for this year’s home.
“With a focus on creative architectural design, strategic lighting and innovative product integrations, the home achieves that feel of luxury without relying solely on high-end finishes or furnishings,” Hahn said. “I’m very excited for other industry professionals to see and experience it for themselves.”
All registered attendees of The NAHB International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show can tour the home during show hours via complimentary shuttle buses departing from the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Timed tickets are distributed each day on a first-come, first-served basis at The New American Home booth in the West Concourse of the OCCC.
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