“People will see that and say, ‘That's different,'” Rohde says. “I call it a formal breakfast area.”
The entry to the upstairs is a dramatic, yet space-efficient U-shaped staircase, with barrel-style arches. It lands in the center of the floor on a graceful, curved balcony with wrought-iron railings that overlooks the great room.
A mezzanine, with built-in bookshelves, connects the master bedroom and the guest suite. In combination with the balcony, it provides ample space for a spot to unwind.
“We thought it would be a place for a moment of rest,” Rattner says. “Put an easy chair there and a lamp and sit and read. We wanted to reduce the idea of corridors that you just pass through and walk by.”
While the Classic Residence uses its above-garage space for a playroom for children, the Villa for the Modern Couple takes advantage of the open space to create a sophisticated party room. “A big media room was one potential use,” Rattner says. “If there's a guy thing going on, like the big game, you could have a big-screen television with sofas. We wanted to keep it loose. It's a very sensible way of looking at the room, and it gives it a longer life. We haven't pigeonholed it, so you don't have to undertake huge renovations to change it.”
Fire FighterA fire sprinkler system does not have to cost much and may save money.
A drawback of dense urban communities is that a fire can spread quickly from one home to another. Inhabitants of the New Urban Challenge homes, however, can sleep easier knowing that the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and six manufacturers from the fire sprinkler industry have outfitted each home with state-of-the-art fire control systems. “Today's homeowners are much more aware of their personal safety,” says HFSC's Peg Paul. As a result, more builders are providing products such as sprinkler systems that will give owners peace of mind.
Each house uses CPVC-based piping, instead of iron pipe because the plastic helps keep costs down. In addition, the sprinkler heads are concealed in the ceiling behind a simple cover. The cover, Paul says, is nearly invisible and will not visually interfere with architectural details. “At 135 degrees, the caps fall off, and the system activates when the (fire's) temperature reaches around 140 to 155 degrees,” she says, adding that each room installation operates independently.
Think a sprinkler system is too expensive for your next subdivision? Not so, says Paul. Builders may actually save money; if sprinklers are installed, some jurisdictions allow the builder to reduce the width of the streets, increase hydrant spacing, and increase the number of units per lot. www.homefiresprinkler.org.
About the Architect
Donald M. Rattner specializes in contemporary classic and traditional design. He works with clients ranging from individuals building a private residence to resort developers; several of his projects have been recognized for design excellence. In addition to his architectural practice, Rattner teaches, writes, and speaks about traditional building and classical architecture.