The Queen Anne Victorian model was designed by Newport Beac…
The Queen Anne Victorian model was designed by Newport Beach, Calif.-based Bassenian Lagoni Architects.
Photo: Jim Kirby
Sited on a corner lot, the house features a detached garage, whi…
Sited on a corner lot, the house features a detached garage, which keeps the indoor air of the house cleaner and results in less space that needs heating and cooling.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The Branford is built with advanced framing techniques and uses …
The Branford is built with advanced framing techniques and uses 2×6 studs set at 24 inches as opposed to 2x4s at 16 inches. Composite trim and fiber-cement siding ensure a low-maintenance exterior.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The kitchen features 42-inch oak cabinets and granite countertop…
The kitchen features 42-inch oak cabinets and granite countertops. Energy Star appliances are standard.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The builder sealed all ducts, located the runs in the conditione…
The builder sealed all ducts, located the runs in the conditioned spaces, and used blow-in fiberglass insulation for better thermal performance.
Photo: Jim Kirby
Lower-level rooms have standard 9-foot ceilings, and folding doo…
Lower-level rooms have standard 9-foot ceilings, and folding doors open the space to the outdoors.
Photo: Jim Kirby
Hardwood flooring in the foyer, kitchen, and breakfast area come…
Hardwood flooring in the foyer, kitchen, and breakfast area comes standard.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The main staircase leads up to the corner turret and features oa…
The main staircase leads up to the corner turret and features oak treads.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The home features low-E, double-hung vinyl windows throughout.
Photo: Jim Kirby
Comprehensive air sealing and a centrally located HVAC system en…
Comprehensive air sealing and a centrally located HVAC system ensures that the upper floors stay comfortable even in summer. The second-level ceilings measure 8 feet.
Photo: Jim Kirby
The master bath is appointed with granite counters, porcelain un…
The master bath is appointed with granite counters, porcelain undermount sinks, 12-inch ceramic floor tiles, and 9-inch-by-12-inch wall tiles.
While custom home clients may build houses on quality, most consumers buy houses based on size–the bigger the better. One Maryland builder is testing its market to see if potential buyers are willing to choose smaller, more efficient homes.
Camberley Homes, a division of Bethesda, Md.-based Winchester Homes, typically builds luxury homes measuring about 3,200 square feet and up, but the company is testing the market with a new line of homes, the Centennial Collection.
Built in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy and the NAHB Research Center, the home achieves 40% greater energy efficiency than a typical new home. Back in March, Stephen J. Nardella, senior vice president of operations at Winchester, told Builder that the home is a good opportunity for the company to get ahead of code changes that are likely coming and added that it was a good time to test the market for smaller, more energy-efficient homes.
“The Centennial Collection employs state-of-the-art construction methods and energy-saving features to provide a high-performance home that ultimately can save homeowners money and reduce their impact on the environment,” Alan Shapiro, president of Winchester Homes and Camberley Homes, says. “By exceeding the International Energy Conservation Code, we believe the Camberley Centennial Collection delivers a luxury home at the leading edge of the home building trend that satisfies the needs of today’s increasingly environmentally conscious consumer.”
Recently completed, The Branford model measures 2,600 square feet and is priced around $800,000.
Nigel F. Maynard is a senior editor for Builder magazine.
