Sustainability, Efficiency, Wellness, Function and Style

The Best Energy Efficient Product category winner was also named 2024 Best in Show. Solstice Shingles by CertainTeed LLC  are low-profile solar shingles. They seamlessly integrate with traditional asphalt shingles while delivering very high photovoltaic electrical conversion. Shingles are rated to be installed in any wind zone and carry a Class 3 impact resistance rating. They come with a 25-year warranty.

Now what if windows could become the only source of heating system?  Earning Best Home Technology Product MB-79N Window with Infratherm Technology by BERTRAND Windows & Doors use infrared technology to heat the inner pane of glass. And thanks to a special coating, the heat is reflected inside the room.

According to fourth quarter 2023 analyses, median single-family square floor area came in at 2,156 square feet. This is the lowest reading since the beginning of 2010.  And home sizes will continue to trend lower as housing affordability remains constrained. 

As affordability shrinks square footage for most homes, flex spaces make sure that no rooms are underutilized.  A traditional dining room can double as a sitting room, bar, or lounge space. An extra bedroom can be your home gym most of the time.  Add a pull-down Murphy bed to accommodate overnight guests.

Thoughtful inclusions that make life easier and more organized can be simple but important things that don’t go unnoticed.  The UCLA Center on Everyday Lives and Families found that physical clutter can increase our bodies’ cortisol levels, a stress hormone. With “wellness” as a major trigger, designated storage systems are a priority. Space to keep your homebuyers’ belongings organized and in their proper place can help reduce stress and make it easier to find what they need when they need it.

Grand Rooms Are a Thing of Years’ Past

A noticeable shift is underway, emphasizing semi-private zones, particularly within the kitchen. By opening the main section of the kitchen to the living space, a sense of openness is maintained.  However, strategically concealing a portion behind a partial wall or bookshelves not only provides additional storage but also offers a discreet area to hide items from view for later while you continue to entertain your guests.

In the space (right), designed by Kitchen Design Concepts of Dallas, the incorporation of tall walls serves dual purposes by adding privacy for the chef. Opting for a tall wall to fashion a peninsula, as opposed to an island, introduces versatility. On the living room side, it functions as an art display, while on the kitchen side, it accommodates a television. Broadened walkways and openings, coupled with the elimination of headers, maintain a grand ambiance without compromising a sense of intimacy.

Design Spaces for Optimum Physical and Mental Health

Indoor air quality is critical for a healthy living environment. Air circulation helps reduce air pollutants such as CO2, which can lead to respiratory illnesses, poor sleep, and breathing disorders. Proper ventilation also helps dissipate humidity to prevent mold and bacteria growth in bathroom and laundry areas and balances air pressure and temperatures throughout the home.

Windows and Lighting Systems Stand to Make a Large Impact on Well-Being

Our bodies operate on a finely tuned circadian rhythm that dictates the ebb and flow of our sleep-wake cycle. Many studies have revealed that insufficient exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, can disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially leading to difficulty falling asleep, waking up, or staying alert during the day.

Optimizing natural light is a top priority of most floorplans.  But it’s impossible for all homes in a development to align on an east to west axis. That’s were automated systems that can adjust incoming or artificial light based on time, occupancy, or tasks come into play.  Named Best Indoor Product at the 2024 IBS Show, Jasco Pro Series Smart Cycle Lighting by Jasco Products automatically adjusts color temperature and brightness to emulate the sun throughout the day.

Builders in Johnson Development’s Jubilee community located in Hockley, Texas, northwest of Houston are now incorporating the Jasco Pro circadian rhythm lighting packages s part of their standard packages.  This plus other standard features like a fresh-air intake, MERV 13-rated whole-home media filter, and a reverse-osmosis filtration system in the kitchens, will the homes in Jubilee qualify for to be “WELL for residential certified” by the International WELL Building Institute

THE BOTTOM LINE: Sometimes when we’re challenged about why we do or do not include certain things in our homes, the only answer is, “Well, it’s just not something that has been done before.”  As more and more buyers answer back with “Well, Why Not?” Savvy builders will explore the possibilities and help the buyer weigh the costs and the payback.