Technology-Friendly

Custom builder Dave Brewer is a "smart" guy when it comes to developing the luxury homes that have made his residential construction company one of central Florida's leaders.

Every one of his projects, including this award-winning, $1.34 million Parade of Homes model, begins with an impressive inventory of high-tech features as standard, including structured wiring; a central distribution facility for telecommunications; security and monitoring systems; and a distributed audio system. And he gives his upscale clients plenty of opportunity to augment these basics with cutting-edge amenities such as sophisticated home theaters, pre-programmed automated lighting and options for special effects.

"This is the technology age," Brewer says, "and many homeowners want the newest, the latest and the most sophisticated technology available."

Showcased in the 2003 Central Florida Parade of Homes, this 5,388-square-foot, Mediterranean-style beauty, the Napoli II, earned Sanford, Fla.-based Dave Brewer Inc. its second consecutive Grand Award for best custom home. The high-end, spec-built residence is in an exclusive golf-course-oriented neighborhood in Alaqua Lakes, a master-planned community in Longwood, Fla.

Designed as the builder's model home in a golf-course-oriented development, this home features sure-fire attention getters, including this tropically landscaped, beach-entry-style pool and spa.

The floor plan features a mix of casual and formal living space, including the visually combined living and dining areas, which are accented by a coffered ceiling, a cast-stone fireplace and tinted windows.

"Dave really emphasizes the importance of incorporating 'smart house' technology into every one of his residential projects," says Jay Carter, a Dave Brewer Inc. project manager who has more than 30 years of experience running his own construction firm. "Because this was a model home, we upgraded its high-tech features so we could demonstrate the possibilities in luxury housing."

The extra features in this home include detailed coffered ceilings, a rotunda foyer between the master bedroom and bath, and a beach-entry pool and spa with a fog machine that can envelope the entire area in a romantic mist.

The home's lighting also was customized. The homeowner can create custom lighting scenes for various rooms or for the entire house. Other lighting benefits include energy savings, longer lamp life and improved overall security for the residence.

"We also enhanced the lighting control features in this home," Carter says. "This is one area that really turns buyers on. The average home buyer may not be aware of all the options that are available, or they just may not have the imagination to conceptualize the finished product."

The single-level Napoli II features a mix of formal and informal spaces plus a screened lanai that overlooks one of the numerous ornamental lakes within the community. Creating a functional outdoor entertaining area is a key requirement for this market, Carter says. "This is Florida, and here we really use our outdoor patios as living space." Nearly all of this home's rear-oriented rooms - including the master suite, family room and game room - have direct access to the covered porch, which includes a fireplace, an outdoor café and a dining area.

A double-door entry provides access to the sunken master retreat, which occupies a separate wing and includes a sitting area and a sumptuous bath and dressing area.

The family-friendly floor plan features a convenient computer study area adjacent to the three secondary bedrooms and provides the option for a fourth bedroom. In addition to formal living and dining rooms, the Napoli II includes a library, a large kitchen, a butler's pantry and an oversize, four-car garage.

The Napoli II was completed in January 2003.

Style of Home | Mediterranean Revival
Location | Longwood, Fla.
Total Square Footage | 5,388 (air-conditioned)
Hard Costs | $220 per square foot, excluding land
Market Value | $1.34 million
Builder | Dave Brewer Inc., Sanford, Fla.
Architect | Johnson Estate Designs, Maitland, Fla.
Interior Designer | Frogg & Peach Interiors, Maitland
Electrical Contractor | Electronic Creations, Orlando, Fla.
Builder's luxury model home

Intelligent Planning

The kitchen's open design inspires friendly conversation over a two-tier snack bar. This bright, airy space includes glazed maple cabinetry, granite counters and porcelain tile flooring.

Today's innovators in residential construction routinely incorporate features such as turnkey home theaters, automated lighting and structured wiring into high-end projects, says Robert Foust of Electronic Creations. As a member of Dave Brewer's progressive building team, Foust was responsible for the design and installation of the Napoli II's high-tech systems.

Although many builders still might be reluctant to include integrated automated lighting, security, HVAC and entertainment systems into new projects, "We will be seeing a lot more of this type of integration very soon because the technology is becoming more affordable and reliable," Foust says.

Today's high-tech homes can be designed to operate completely automatically, or the homeowners can interface with their systems as much as they desire. "From sharing a high-speed Internet connection to never coming home to a dark house to never having to adjust a landscape timer, people just appreciate the added security and convenience," Foust says.

Most builders guide clients to preferred vendors with displays and selections, and Foust says, "The same holds true for technology. A builder should make sure his systems integration partner has a showroom and can effectively demonstrate the available technology to a potential client."

Additionally, Foust offers this advice to builders:

Align with a knowledgeable low-voltage systems integrator who has a minimum of five years of experience in the field.

Check references and factory certifications for all installers and programmers.

Hold quarterly technology review meetings with the integrator to help monitor and discuss market developments and emerging technology products.

Subscribe to periodicals and trade news sources that feature home electronics technology.