VISION HOUSE The model for realistic, sustainable new housing
This cracker-style infill house is attractive and durable. It adheres to the “Blueprint for Safety: A Stronger Shade of Green” program administered through the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).
how to adhere to the program while keeping the 3,000-square-foot house on budget? Pleveich notes that in the area he builds, prices range from about $175 to $215 a square foot. “My goal is to get the price point under $150 a square foot,” he says. “We toyed with different products and techniques and felt that the ones we chose would help us meet our goals and keep it affordable.” Focusing on the durability aspects, here are some of the key products the team picked:
Peril-Proof Building
New programs and products help VISION House Orlando up the ante on safety. By Cati O’Keefe
In June, the 2011 VISION House broke ground in the charming College Park neighborhood of Orlando. The home was designed to respect traditional central Florida architecture, and it incorporates some heavy-duty sustainable attributes, which we’ll explore in depth as we cover this house each month until its debut in January at IBS. Of the important stories unfolding behind the scenes as this project takes shape, one
stands out as particularly timely: disaster migitation. Hurricane season always brings images of battened-down roofs and shatter-proof windows to mind, especially for those builders putting up houses in disaster-prone areas. Veteran builders Jon Pleveich and Kim Foy of Southern Traditions Development
decided early in the process to consider disaster mitigation as they worked through the design of the show house. Step one: They signed on with the “Blueprint for Safety: A Stronger Shade of Green” program administered through the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). “The program is essentially taking the Florida building code and adding to it—going
beyond it,” explains Pleveich, company vice president. The program is voluntary, but the builder wanted to exceed the code to produce a stronger product, help the buyers reduce their insurance costs, and limit the damage that could occur should a heavy storm blow through the area. “Our goal is to deliver prototype homes that are affordable, safe, green, and energy
efficient,” says Leslie Chapman-Henderson, president/CEO of FLASH. “Our first project is focused on the VISION and ReVISION Homes for the 2011 IBS. This is an enormous challenge, but the case for building smart and strong has never been more urgent.” While these are all good attributes to include in a home, the challenge becomes
July > August 2010 GreenBuilder 19
› Anderson 100 Series windows (below). Pleveich notes that these units must be sealed tight to avoid window blow-outs.
› Roof is decked with 5/8” plywood as opposed to OSB. This thicker, heavier material won’t deteriorate if it gets wet. The team uses ring shaped nails, and nails 6” on edges and 6” in the field. The additional nails and their strategic placement means
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