Design
Design
Clever design solutions for unique residential projects.
Floodproof on a Floodplain
An impressive addition to the IDEA Home series, the NEWLOOK Experience Home is a master class in engineering and creative design, with builder Michael Freiburger out-thinking an exceptionally tricky lot
Custom Builder
3 Questions Answered About Reliable Energy in Home Construction
Energy expert Bryan Cordill makes a case for why and how propane is an answer to growing concerns about reliability and resilience in home construction
Business
Custom Builder to Talk Color Design with Becki Owens at IBS
At this year's IBS, renowned designer Becki Owens will sit down with host James McClister, editor of Custom Builder, to discuss a variety of topics from basic color play in design to the Allura Spectrum palette, a collection of Sherwin-Williams colors curated for the benefit of pros
Business
PERC Highlights Sustainability and Efficiency at IBS with 'Clean Build Conversations'
Hear from industry standouts Matt Blashaw and Anthony Carrino at this hour-long Show Village event
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Design
The Lean and Green Blog: Wisdom from an unlikely source
The fall of 2010, I found myself working with some of the best and brightest minds I have ever met in the construction industry. I was working with…
Design
The Lean Builder: Fixing Architecture I
In my blog two weeks ago, I launched into a tirade about how so many residential architects are not doing their job. Each week, I link this blog back…
Design
Valle Group builds Passive House-certified home in New England
Earlier this month, the Valle Group completed construction on the nation’s 24th certified Passive House, located in East Falmouth, Mass. The house was built virtually airtight and is heated through passive solar gain, according to standards set by the Passive House Institute in Urbana, Ill.
Design
The Lean Builder: Architects — my frustration overfloweth
In the past year, during our LeanPlan Workout process, we had the dubious honor of “working on” plans from 3 of the biggest name, most expensive…
Design
Built for a lifetime: Custom homes for everyday living
One of these homes was built for empty nesters who wished to downsize. The other is currently a vacation home, but will be a primary residence when the owners retire. The homes have more in common than you’d think.
Design
The Lean Builder: Lucky man - Making the most out of the housing recession
Michael J. Fox and I have something in common (besides the obvious – talent, good looks, irreverence, witty repartee, etc.) We both have an…
Best Practices
The Lean Design Blog: Another example of low-hanging fruit
I love the easy ones! Scott Sedam and I were implementing a Lean Plan Workout recently and a very simple cost saving opportunity presented itself.…
Best Practices
The Lean Builder Blog: Marshall Field had it right
Last weekend was the annual Christmas sojourn to my wife’s relatives in Chicago. On the obligatory trip downtown to Marshall Field’s to see the…
Best Practices
The Lean Design Blog: 3 simple ways to spice up your elevations
Designing a new elevation series is a lot of fun. It is an opportunity to define your brand and create homes that will speak to buyers emotionally.…
Design
The Lean and Green Blog: Lesson 4 - Plan for something greener
Todd Hallett does a great job helping us to understand the tremendous costs associated with inefficient, poorly designed plans. Making plans more…