According to NewUrbanism.org, new urbanism ”promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities.”

Perhaps no one has championed the benefits of New Urbanist construction like architect Sarah Susanka, author of the best-selling Not So Big book series that celebrates the smaller, more practical home without compromising quality.

This week marks the grand opening of Susanka’s Not So Big Showhouse in Libertyville, Ill., a northern suburb of Chicago. The 2,500-square-foot house emphasizes functionality and multipurpose spaces. For instance, there’s no formal dining room. (Who actually uses them anyway?) There’s a large front porch before floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the neighborhood. There are no cathedral ceilings to be found and energy efficiency is a top consideration. There is no excess to be found — every room has its role.

Susanka’s Not So Big Showhouse is a part of the SchoolStreet housing development in downtown Libertyville, a new urbanist neighborhood that promotes a strong sense of community. So much so that most of the homes feature kitchens positioned toward the front of the house, inviting homeowners to eat and socialize on the front porch rather than be secluded in the back.

On Thursday, Susanka will appear at Libertyville High School to present her home, answer questions and sign books.

On Saturday, Susanka’s Not So Big Showhouse will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The house is located at 138 School Street in Libertyville.

For more information, visit the SchoolStreet website.

Eager homeowners are nothing new when it comes to remodeling projects. However, Loudon County, Va., resident Peter Burnett took that typical enthusiasm to a new level when his home burned down in 2009.

Amy Albert, senior editor at Builder Magazine, published a story on Tuesday about a homeowner who saw his misfortune as a great opportunity and didn’t hesitate to act:

“If you need a lesson in looking on the bright side, consider Peter Burnett. The same day his house, a rehabbed bank barn in Loudon County, Va., burned to the ground, Burnett got on the horn to architect Kevin Ruedisueli, asking him to start rebuilding — tomorrow. The way Burnett saw it, the tragedy was actually a golden opportunity: In bringing his home back from the ashes, he’d smooth out the accumulated wrinkles resulting from decades of piecemeal additions with limited resources.”

The result? A gorgeous bank barn that now includes a guest suite, a ballroom (that acts as an indoor volleyball court), an endless pool, a woodworking shop and an exercise space. Once cold and rugged, Burnett’s home is now a vibrant and welcoming with spaces perfect for entertaining guests. What’s more, the project was completed within nine months of the fire.

For his work, Ruedisueli’s project was named a winner in the 2011 Mid-Atlantic myMarvin Architect’s Challenge. With his positive attitude and astounding resilience, Burnett turned tragedy into the home of his dreams.

See more photos and read more about the home at BuilderOnline.com.

[Photo by Mary Parker]

Jesse Thompson of Kaplan Thompson Architects in Portland, Maine, designed a beautiful “Contemporary Outpost” in Sweden, Maine. On a quest to bring a little bit of Texas to their new home in Maine, the homeowners aimed to blend a modest home with their passion for horses.

This fascinatingly functional abode sits over a two-stall horse barn featuring a steeply pitched gable roof and double hung windows, along with cedar shingles and clapboard to fit within a classic Maine archetype.

Hugging the tree line along the edge of an idyllic pasture, there’s plenty of room to graze animals and respect the traditional settlement patterns of rural New England, while claiming dramatic views of New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington to the west.

The building plan allowed for extensive use of local woods and high quality thermal insulation (R-30 to R-60 values on all surfaces) to make it a durable, and sustainable home within a modest budget.

Integrity windows were the perfect balance of aesthetics, energy performance and durability for this project. And its affordability allowed for economizing the heating system against the region’s harsh winters.

INTEGRITY PRODUCTS USED:

Integrity Double Hung Windows
Integrity Casement Windows
Integrity Awning Windows
Integrity Inswing French Doors

Photography by Trent Bell.

While Pratt strives to incorporate the latest innovations in the building industry, it never forgets that what makes a house is the craftsmanship. “We have always valued craftsmanship. We have strived to define the highest standards in construction excellence, while preserving the age old traditions of hand craftsmanship,” Pratt said.

According to the write-up on TrendsIdeas.com:

It doesn’t take much – a subtle choice of door glass here and a fresh surface finish there can transform an ordinary kitchen into a highly personalized one. However, for this remodeling project by kitchen designer Dana Jones, major changes were required before the finer touches could be addressed. The original design had resulted in a cramped galley kitchen and a separate windowless dining space, with the two areas divided by an interior wall, says Jones.

“The first thing was to remove this wall and relocate the dining room door for improved pedestrian flow,” says Jones. “New windows were introduced in the kitchen area and these play light across the room to the banquette seating.”

Read the full piece and see more photos at TrendsIdeas.com.

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Delaware Technical & Community College is nearing completion of its Energy House Construction Project, a $1 million effort on the Jack F. Owens Campus created as a learning center for alternative and renewable technologies.

The comprehensive residential syle design includes see-through walls intended to showcase materials and technologies used; multiple systems to create and track comparative data and features like a living green roof, solar systems, radiant floor heating and geothermal options.

When it’s finished, Energy House will contain two classrooms and a conference room for students seeking energy certification and various degree programs. DTCC intends Energy House to act not only as an academic building, but an educational resource to encourage consumers in the community who are interested in sustainable design and renewable energy options.

The project is being subsidized by a U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration ARRA grant in the amount of $800,000. The home also features windows from Integrity Windows and Doors and Marvin commercial doors.

To see a gallery of photos from Energy House, click here.

Replacement Housing Services specializes in full replacement and renovation of homes for move-up buyers who value urban living. Each project is supported by extensive research and analysis covering everything from the selection of the building site to the architectural fit within the neighborhood and community, as well as the current and future lifestyle needs of the homeowners. An example of this process at work is the Cape Cod-style new construction at Rutledge Avenue in Edina, Minnesota – a home that brings value to the homeowners, neighborhood and community at large.

The theme for the interior, exterior and landscape of the residence are carefully crafted to suit the historical fabric of the neighborhood and to maximize homeowner value. The combination of high-quality building materials, finishes and traditional design makes for a home with strong character and high appreciation potential, yet one that also conveys a sense of individuality, strength and permanence for the homeowners.

As a part of the inclusive design process of Replacement Housing Services and to remain consistent with the architectural design standards of the project, Integrity windows were selected for their exceptional quality and value at a competitive price-point. The clean, sharp lines of the windows align with the unique architectural design and detailed trim of the home. In addition, the windows enhance the livability of the indoor environment by providing plenty of natural light and well-ventilated spaces for improved air quality.

It became evident to the city staff in spring 2006 that the effectiveness of the emergency services in Alexandria may be compromised by the desired layout and size of the proposed development. The resolution came in the form of the Station at Potomac Yard, a multi-use structure complete with a fire station on the first floor and upper levels consisting of retail space and four stories of residential housing. PYD and the city of Alexandria worked with architect Andy Caldwell and contractor Frank Curtis to create a building that was referenced in the Washington Business Journal as an “outstanding model of sustainable design.” The Station at Potomac Yard boasts 44 long-term affordable rental units and 20 apartments, built to the Atlanta area’s stringent EarthCraft standards for Green Building, while the ground floor was granted LEED certification.

The city’s goal to incorporate sustainable building principles in all facets of the project aligned perfectly with Integrity’s dedication to innovative, energy efficient products and practices. PYD selected 434 Integrity Wood-Ultrex Double Hung windows for their Energy Star performance, further reinforcing the building’s green design. Integrity’s 10 day delivery schedule and commitment to timely information exchange facilitated all communication and the resolution of any difficulties. Unparalleled service, matched with strong relationships in the industry gave this commercial project the opportunity to change and revitalize the Potomac yard community.

Although the fire station was only completed it 2009, its appearance is much more traditional and its architecture transforms the previous regional rail center. The Evergreen finish on the double hung windows flawlessly complements the station’s brick exterior and frames an even greener landscape outside. The fire station looks out to an open recreational area, ideal for socialization and fostering a sense of community. By improving public safety and infrastructure, exhibiting Smart Growth principles and meeting crucial requests for affordable housing, the Station at Potomac Yard stands as an excellent example for future collaborative housing authority projects.

Photos courtesy of Integrity Windows and Doors, Hayman Studio Inc.

Jack Poles of J Poles Interiors says, “I wanted to show that an eco-friendly design does not have to be bland and boring. All the materials and products in this suite meet the sustainable design criteria, but they are anything but boring.”

Luxurious materials used in the suite include Integrity windows, cherry wood, mosaic tiles, recycled porcelain and a steam shower.

Whether relaxing into a deep slumber in the bedroom or waking up under the shower in the bathroom, this master suite defines green luxury.

The design of Greenhaven homes was conceived by Pace Homebuilders. The “Green Team” they brought together designed Greenhaven as a home that is livable and green. Greenhaven is certified by the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program. Its three floors are filled with luxurious extras like a home theater and private office.

To help Greenhaven get the high-end look that today’s eco-conscious homeowner desires, Pace Homebuilders windows by Integrity® from Marvin Windows and Doors.

Made of a pultruded fiberglass called Ultrex, Integrity windows are durable and high-performing. Not only is Ultrex eight times stronger than vinyl and as strong as steel, but it is made of silica sand, a virtually unlimited natural resource. It’s even green in its manufacturing process, made in the only pultrusion facility in compliance with the 1990 Clean Air Act.

Anyone lucky enough to buy a Greenhaven home will get to live in a house that is truly green and truly beautiful.

Photos courtesy of GreenhavenHome.com