PB June 2003

The Water and Gas Safety Valve (WAGS) from Taco, a pump and electronic control manufacturer based in Rhode Island, shuts off both the gas and water feeds to a hot water heater in the event of a leak.

A single-story, 1,995-square-foot home grows a second floor - and 600 square feet - without changing its streetscape presence.

In a bold and unexpected pairing, Samsung's Staron solid surface has teamed with custom staircase manufacturer StairWorld Inc. to create the Staron inlaid staircase.

Creating strong, skilled leaders internally is an overriding passion at Giant K. Hovnanian Companies - because it has to be.

Former national salesperson of the year Cydne Combs, of Prudential New Homes in Ontario, Calif., anchors her sales approach in home construction. The idea is to be a guide to help people through a complicated process.

While large national and regional builders might have the resources to be leaders in innovation, small builders with a clear sense of purpose also can be effective early adopters of technology.

Merchandising models targeted to families often translates to secondary bedrooms themed specifically to appeal to boys and girls. But builders are grabbing kids attention elsewhere in the model, too.

Seven standouts Professional Builder toured this spring in the Inland Empire and Orange and L.A. counties

Sales consultant Bob Schultz of New Home Specialists in Boca Raton, Fla., is a longtime advocate of the full demonstration. He estimates that only 5% to 10% of all new home sales people offer a detailed demo and not many more could offer one if asked.

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing is a public/private partnership dedicated to increasing the development and adoption of advanced building technologies.