MODERN
HOME BUILDERS
Issue 105 www.modernhb.com
BEST PRACTICE FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS
A better way
Embracing innovation and technology, The Corbo Group is a complete builder – from concept to completion Home workspaces Owners expect more from their homes than ever before, as they look for functionality that meets the needs of today’s lifestyles
Safety on site When it comes to workplace and site safety, one area that must not be overlooked is the importance of employees’ eye health
EDITOR’S LETTER Chairman Andrew Schofield Managing Director Joe Woolsgrove Editor - Libbie Hammond libbie@schofieldpublishing.com Assistant Editor - Will Daynes Staff Writer - Alex McDonald Art Editor/Production Manager - Fleur Daniels Art Editor - David Howard Advertising Designer - Rebecca Side Sales Director Alasdair Gamble Operations Director Philip Monument Operations Manager Natalie Griffiths Research Managers Ryan Finn, Rachel Harper, Jo-Ann Jeffery, Ben Richell, Kieran Shukri Editorial Researchers Adam Blanch, Mark Cowles Jeff Goldenberg, Mark Kafourous Tarjinder Kaur-D’Silva, James Page Wendy Russell, Richard Saunders Advertising Sales Johanna Bailey, Mike Berger, Alex Hartley, Dave King, Reid Lingle, Theresa McDonald, Ibby Mundhir, Sam Surrell
Hello and welcome to the April edition of Modern Home Builders. The biggest news that I want to share with you is that our website is now live! Found at www.modernhb.com, the site is where you can see the fascinating companies that we are proud to highlight, as well as our monthly features and news. I am looking forward to building the site content as the year progresses, and of course – if you would like your own story shared on there, then do get in touch! A message that many of our clients have been discussing with us is the demand from their own customers for new workspace options in the home. As the coronavirus pandemic has forced people to stay indoors and work from their houses, they have come to realize that changes need to be made to their environments, or that they need an entirely new approach! Our feature on page 4 from Blythe Building Company makes some suggestions on what to consider when creating the ideal home office – I know that I would love to be working from some of these wonderful creations!
Libbie Hammond
Web Sales web@schofieldpublishing.com
EDITOR
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ON THE COVER Our cover story this month is one of
Cringleford Business Centre, 10 Intwood Road,
determination and evolution. From building
Cringleford, Norwich, NR4 6AU, U.K.
his own home with no experience, to creating
T: (312) 854-0123 T: +44 (0)1603 274130
a thriving and modern business Ralph Corbo
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HOME BUILDERS
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BEST PRACTICE FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS
had such an interesting story to tell. It was a real privilege to speak to him and get the inside
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T: (312) 854-0123
story on the formation of The Corbo Group, and the wonderful homes it builds. Take a look on page 52.
A better way
Embracing innovation and technology, The Corbo Group is a complete builder – from concept to completion
Please note: The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers within this publication do not necessarily coincide with those of the editor and publisher. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information published is accurate, and correct at time of writing, but no legal responsibility for loss occasioned by the use of
Home workspaces Owners expect more from their homes than ever before, as they look for functionality that meets the needs of today’s lifestyles
Safety on site When it comes to workplace and site safety, one area that must not be overlooked is the importance of employees’ eye health
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INSIDE THIS 4
8
ISSUE FEATURES
4 HOMESPACE WORK OPTIONS Covid-19 has altered the working landscape, and that has led to increasing demand for more functional home workspace options
8 SAFETY ON SITE Eye safety is a commonly overlooked area
HOME WORKSPACE OPTIONS
on a construction site. Here are some measures you can take to prevent eye injuries
10 LIGHTING As we remain under the cloud of a pandemic, Nulty predicts a host of likely
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alterations that the lighting industry will seek to adopt
16 PAINT A highly experienced, independent testing service provider can help manufacturers to ensure their paint products conform to expectations
18 CASE STUDY RC Willey Home Furnishings has improved efficiency and customer experience with
CASE STUDY
TrueCommerce’s cloud-based supply chain management platform
22 SAFETY Garney Construction recently added a new element to its already robust safety programs by testing new wearable technology smart devices
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24 CELEBRITY HOMES MHB’s monthly report on the real estate of the rich and famous – two major stars from different fields have their homes on the market – action hero Tom Cruise, and baseball professional, Derek Jeter
NEWS 14 UPDATES News and information from the construction and home building industry
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INTERSTATE HOMES
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SAFETY ON SITE
6
LIGHTING
32
INTEGRITY HOMES
4
AZURE NORTHWEST HOMES
52
THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION®
COVER STORY
THE CORBO GROUP MODERNHB.COM
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Changing needs As Covid-19 altered the working landscape, increasing numbers of people had to start doing their jobs from home, and this has created a demand for more functional home workspace options says Lee Blythe
W
Buyers turned to building new homes. This
the kids, home gyms, larger pantries, in-law
spending more time in their
has created an incredible boom for new home
or Millennial suites, and large outdoor living
homes than ever before
construction that we expect to continue
spaces with fireplaces or fire pits.
in our lifetimes, people’s
through 2021 and beyond.
ith millions of people
expectations from their homes has taken
Buyers are out in force seeking bigger, more functional homes to accommodate their new
a dramatic cultural shift. Coupled with
remotely, we are seeing people moving from
historically low interest rates, many people
big cities to suburban and rural areas and from
are motivated to make the move to a new
apartments to single-family homes. People
home.
want more space indoors and outdoors so
The demand for new workspace options
they don’t feel cooped up while spending
Life has changed dramatically for most people
more time at home.
over the last 13 months. More adults in the
Largely due to the uncertainty with Covid-19, most owners of pre-existing homes decided not to place their homes on the
4
Now that more people than ever can work
Owners expect more from their homes
lifestyles and needs.
workforce than ever need to be able to work
market. This reduced the inventory across the
than ever now. Popular features in the past
from home for a few weeks at a time (ie:
country.
year include home offices, study spaces for
during a quarantine period) or permanently.
MODERNHB.COM
HOME WORKSPACE OPTIONS
Multi-functional spaces
with each other when they are having
concept floor plans, no extra rooms beyond
Some people prefer multifunctional
simultaneous online meetings.
the basics, and small storage areas are no
spaces that can serve several purposes. For
longer functional for millions of people.
example, people may want a large laundry
Zoom rooms
room with a homeschooling space for
Small, soundproofed rooms that provide
offices, nook offices, and clearing out a corner
the kids and a workspace for themselves
privacy for online meetings are gaining in
of a bedroom or living room because most
nearby. Or they may want a kitchen with a
popularity.
began working at home without any notice.
handy adjacent office space as shown in the
They had to do the best with the space
picture.
Designs that used to work, like open-
People have tried to make do with closet
they had. But if they get a chance to design
Zoom backgrounds Buyers want built-in cabinets and professional,
their dream home, what they want is more
Dedicated office spaces
artistic backgrounds to showcase on their
workspace for the home that is as functional
Buyers want rooms that are specifically
online calls.
as their workspace was previously when they
designed to be home offices with a
commuted to a corporate office.
closeable door. Generally, they want a wall of beautiful built-in cabinets/bookshelves
What to consider when creating the ideal home office
Trends in the Columbia, South Carolina Area
and often a built-in custom desk, as well.
We suggest asking yourself questions so
Home offices used to be places where people
Dual offices
workload and your family’s situation perfectly.
paid a few bills or looked at a few emails
Many times, owners need two offices so that
• What do you need most from the space?
now and then. Now, home offices need to
both homeowners have their own private,
o Privacy during online meetings
be completely functional spaces for working
dedicated office space. Older, pre-existing
o Access to the kitchen to cook while
full-time and long-term.
homes don’t generally have this design so
people turn to custom home design.
They need enough space between
the two offices that they don’t interfere
Some of the biggest trends we have seen over the past year for home office spaces in custom homes include the following.
you can tailor your office space to fit your
you work o A professional-looking place for customers to meet with you in person o Storage for inventory and files MODERNHB.COM
5
o The ability to monitor children as they have school at home
• How often will you be using the space?
• How many people need private offices
• How do you expect your office needs to
and/or study space in the family?
o A backyard office that is separate from the main house
• How many square feet of space can you
evolve in the future in one year, five years, or ten years?
set aside for your office?
o Large flat workspace
• What features do you need to be as • What kind of work do you do?
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o Good ergonomics
productive as possible?
Predictions about what homeowners are looking for
o Computer work
o Natural light
We believe home office spaces will be
o Phone calls/Video conferencing
o An indoor garden
considered a must-have going forward. Clients
o In-person meetings
o A custom aquarium
are looking for ease-of-use, aesthetics, and
o Mostly fieldwork
o A beautiful view
practicality.
MODERN HOME BUILDERS
HOME WORKSPACE OPTIONS
the past to provide a spark of personality and warmth to the space. We predict that finished basements will also grow in popularity as a perfect location for dual offices and study spaces for the children. With glass walls or windows between the rooms, parents can keep an eye on children as they play, homeschool, or learn at home via virtual school. In areas where basements aren’t feasible, backyard offices/schooling spaces/cottages will likely grow to meet the increasing expectations people will have to meet all of their needs for living, resting, working, playing, relaxing, and exercising at home.
Conclusion Even when the pandemic is long gone, we expect the work-from-home trend to continue. Corporations and world leaders are encouraging people to work from home more and more. The technology to do so continues to improve. Many companies realize their employees can be just as productive from home, if not more so. Global pandemics shape architectural styles and trends. Cholera outbreaks in the 1800s brought us wide front porches, sanitation, and underground sewage systems. The Spanish flu of 1918-1920 brought us the powder room. Covid-19 is bringing workers home changing our lifestyles and home design for the foreseeable future. Custom builders will continue to lead the Dual offices will become a greater necessity
and study space design in the home.
in the future as more families have two adults
Custom built-in cabinets and shelves are
(or more, with multigenerational households)
here to stay but with brighter colors than in
charge to help homebuyers design houses to perfectly meet their changing lifestyle needs as we discover the future together. F
working remotely. Sliding glass walls and movable wall partitions will likely become more common to create flexible spaces. Then people can have the benefits of the open floor plan but also be able to create more privacy when needed. Soundproofing and acoustic doors will
Lee Blythe, is the owner of Blythe Building Company. Blythe Building Company knows that building a custom home is not just construction. A home is someone’s dream, where people make memories and spend their lives. It takes great pride in creating your dream home using classic design, the finest materials, quality craftsmanship, and the latest amenities. https://blythebuildingcompany.com/
become even more important for home office MODERN HOME BUILDERS
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More than meets the eye Protect your employees’ eye health and your bottom line says Kirk Lauterback
D
espite the serious financial and
permanent vision loss or significant time away
health ramifications that can
from work. However, the right eye protection
Implement a company policy on safety eyewear
result from an eye injury in the
could have prevented or lessened the severity
While it may seem sufficient to advise
workplace, eye safety is one of the
of 90 per cent of the injuries commonly
employees to wear eye protection,
experienced in the workplace (AOA).
unfortunately, it often takes a serious injury for
most commonly overlooked aspects on the job. According to the American Optometric
employers to instate an official policy. Having
Association (AOA), nearly 2000 US workers
these injuries often end up costing businesses
a policy requiring employees to wear safety
sustain job-related injuries every day, primarily
in down time, liability costs, and indirect fees.
glasses is the best way to ensure consistent
as a result of wearing no eye protection or
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the total
use and avoid costs down the road. Protective
wearing the wrong kind of eye protection.
direct costs of eye injuries to businesses to
eyewear is just as important as a hard hat and
Items such as projectiles, foreign objects,
be $467 million a year, and with indirect costs
reflective gear when working in hazardous
chemicals, infectious diseases, exposure
such as legal fees, judgements, and training
environments.
to steam, ultraviolet rays, and infrared
new workers, the number jumps to more than
radiation are all sources of common injuries
$934 million a year.
in the workplace (AOA). In addition, 61 per
8
Along with physical harm to employees,
That’s a lot of unnecessary pain for
Educate your employees From a formal company training on eye safety
cent of these eye injuries are sustained in
employees and money lost for employers for
to a simple posted reminder at entrances to
construction, manufacturing, carpentry, and
something so easily avoidable. Here are a few
a facility or work room, employee education
trade work (The Vision Council). While some
measures you can take to prevent eye injuries
not only helps ensure follow-through, but also
eye injuries are minor, others can result in
at your business or job site.
proper usage. It’s also important to dispel the
MODERNHB.COM
SAFETY ON SITE
step you can take toward greater eye safety
Talk to your safety eyewear supplier
in the workplace. Doing so will help them
With the emergence of new options for
identify individual ways to protect their
protective eyewear and endless ways to
eyes and prioritize their overall eye health.
customize it, connecting with your safety
Since overall eye health can contribute to
eyewear supplier is a valuable means in
workplace injuries (e.g., grogginess, outdated
finding the best product for protecting
prescriptions, or eye infections), encouraging
your employees from eye injuries. Every
employees to talk with their eye doctor is
workplace - even if it falls under the larger
another way to avoid injuries to them and
umbrella of construction, welding, or other
costs to you.
trades - will have unique demands when
their eye doctor, as this is another valuable
it comes to eye safety. Connecting with
Choose the right eyewear
eyecare professionals allows you to talk
Safety glasses are no longer limited to the
through whether you need polycarbonate
stock wrap-around workshop glasses from the
or plastic lenses, non-conductive options
past. Thanks to advances in eyewear design
at your disposal, UV protection, and if all of
across the board, access to more-durable
your employees require the same eyewear.
lenses, stronger, more comfortable and better-
Your eyewear supplier is best positioned
fitting frames, and non-conductive eyewear
to help navigate these options and design
is more attainable than ever. Patients can
customized programs and pricing for you
now choose from polycarbonate lenses over
and your workforce.
plastic or glass, and frames can be fitted to the Further, there are now offerings that include
In short, make eye health a priority
cushioning and other safety features to help
When it comes to workplace safety, it can be
prevent injuries to the face or areas beyond
too easy to overlook hazards to employees’
the eye itself. Taking all of these factors into
eye health. In the end, keeping eye safety top-
consideration will help you land on the option
of-mind and emphasizing its importance to
that will best protect your employees based
your employees is key in contributing to the
on their job duties and environment.
overall safety and success of your business. F
individual rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
myth that everyday prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses are sufficient in protecting eyes from injury. Employees may assume risks to be limited to projectiles or that glasses provide a sufficient enough barrier to other hazards, so you’ll want to highlight the need for more durable lenses, side shields, and other features that protect their eyes. You’ll also want to clearly establish the contexts in which employees should use safety eyewear, particularly if there are hazards in areas they may not expect. Instruct employees on how to properly wear or defog eye protection to help prevent employees from removing it on the job. Ultimately, safety eyewear that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards will provide the best options to your employees. It is also recommended that employees
Kirk Lauterback, is Shopko Optical’s chief operations officer. Shopko Optical is the trade name of Shoptikal LLC, an affiliate of Monarch Alternative Capital LP. For more than 40 years, Shopko Optical has provided excellent patient-centric care and high-quality eyewear through its dedicated team of nearly 700 optometrists (independent doctors of optometry in IA, ID, MT, SD and WA) and opticians. www.shopko.com
discuss their working environment with MODERNHB.COM
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MODERNHB.COM
LIGHTING
A
t Nulty, we are often asked to make annual predictions of trends for the industry and in ‘normal times’ this can actually be a bit of
a struggle. Light forms an invisible character that we as lighting designers are fascinated by. It can change the whole mood of a building, excite an entire room and inspire creative play. But it can also be a challenge to work with this intangible substance and so figuring out future forecasting can be difficult. What’s interesting though, is now that we are in the full throttle of a global pandemic, we can predict a whole host of likely alterations that the lighting industry will seek to adopt. The first of these predictions is that most of us now understand the importance of light, whether natural or artificial, and how it can impact our health and wellbeing, so the way in which we light our homes will likely become a crucial part of future design. Over the last year, we have all experienced our homes in a new way. So much time at home has meant that we now understand every inch of the space, every intimate detail, every sound, every creak. For prospective new homeowners or tenants this will mean a change in demand in what they seek when buying or renting a new property. For those remaining in their homes, a new level of understanding about light is now in motion. We used to only really experience poor lighting when we left our homes. We would complain to office managers that our desks were poorly lit, or usher over waiters in restaurants and ask them to re-light the candle on the table to set the mood. We rarely put
Light
fantastic
Ellie Coombs takes a look at the enormous influence that lighting can have on the inside of a home
much energy into our own homes, but now that we find ourselves working, eating, living and sleeping at home, the time to think about light and make it a priority has never been more important. Open plan living has long been a requirement for many homeowners. As lighting designers, we have spent a lot of our time during the pandemic helping people use light to define areas within these open plan spaces and to change the ambience throughout the day. Different types of lighting solutions can alleviate the issue of spending the majority of our time in the same space. As we move into a new year still in the throes of the pandemic, we expect to see a return to more traditional space planning. There MODERNHB.COM
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Another area of lighting design that will gain even further attention this year will be sustainable lighting practices. Sustainability, health and wellbeing have been huge drivers in the industry for many years, particularly with an emphasis on energy efficiency
areas with changeable weather, we have tended to use our gardens only sporadically – when the sun is out and the BBQ is calling. During the midst of the pandemic, for those lucky enough to have a garden or an outdoor space, they became a precious sanctuary and a place to escape the four walls we were confined to. Outdoor areas have now adapted to act like additional rooms – they are spaces
will likely be a reluctance to serve open plan
to become a standard feature in new homes.
where we can cook, dine, work-out, learn
areas, with many of us favoring separate
Previously, our ‘spare rooms’ served multiple
and interact with nature. As we rediscover
rooms with more defined uses. This will allow
purposes, whether it be a part-time gaming
these underused spaces, we expect to see an
the lighting design to be specific to a space
room, a space to hang up the laundry or just
increased focus on exterior lighting. This will
and will reduce the need for general flexible
a place to have a break from your partner!
help to increase the hours in which gardens
lighting designs. Track systems will be out
Now we are finding these rooms rapidly
can be occupied and can enhance the many
and integrated details in, with fewer light
becoming fully functioning home office
ways in which we now use our gardens.
fittings required and controls simplified. In
spaces. It’s so important that the lighting is
other words – the lighting in each room can
designed properly to support the technical
gain even further attention this year will be
be optimized for its use providing the best
requirements of video conferencing but to
sustainable lighting practices. Sustainability,
possible solution.
also accompany our eyesight, health and
health and wellbeing have been huge drivers
wellbeing.
in the industry for many years, particularly
With many businesses considering making a permanent change to homeworking, either part or full time, home offices are set
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MODERNHB.COM
It’s not just inside that we are seeing the way in which our homes are changing. In
Another area of lighting design that will
with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Now, however, we are starting to see more
LIGHTING
of a focus on the life cycles of products and focus is being given to the carbon footprint used by manufacturers and designers. We can approach sustainable lighting design holistically and fittings and fixtures, for example, will now be selected based on their environmental impact. We might also find more focus on vintage, reclaimed and hand-crafted light fixtures from suppliers with strong sustainable and ethical policies. Our home environments have never been more important than they are today, and the way in which we light them has now come to the fore of design. To support this interest, we at Nulty decided to put together a free masterclass on YouTube outlining how to design lighting for homes, room by room. We hope by sharing our knowledge with the industry during these strange and challenging times, more interior designers and homebuilders will become increasingly engaged in incorporating the best light
Ellie Coombs is Managing Director at Nulty. Nulty is a leading-edge lighting design consultancy working with some of the world’s foremost architects and interior designers. Collaboration and teamwork is at the heart of its practice; improving life through light, no matter what the scale, is its goal. A Nulty project is defined by its originality and attention to detail. www.nultylighting.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/ playlist?list=PLhXAtLwd8u9MYjmluZm7zWxOEMheqpreA
possible into our homes. F MODERNHB.COM
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Get virtual The Outdoor GreatRoom Company™ (OGC) has launched its first-ever Virtual Showroom Experience. Powered by virtual software 3DVista, the new Virtual Showroom is an immersive way for guests to discover new and popular outdoor living products manufactured by OGC. The Virtual Showroom incorporates lifestyle videos, informational handouts, and product page website links to deliver a personalized interaction between sales representatives, partnered businesses, and consumers. Easy-touse buttons and an engaging visual interface are included to create a seamless experience. The creation of the OGC’s Virtual Tour is largely in response to tradeshows and in-person events cancelled due to the pandemic.
The power of reviews Eliant, the leader in experience management solutions for the homebuilding industry, has announced the signing of The New Home Company, a publicly traded homebuilder based in Irvine, Calif., to its best-in-class new home community review website Eliant Reviews (https://reviews.eliant. com/the-new-home-company). With this client addition, Eliant grows its listing of participating national and regional homebuilders to the Reviews platform. “Our vision is for Eliant Reviews to become homebuyers’ go-to destination for verified, unbiased online reviews about the communities that they are considering calling home. With these additions to our already robust roster of participating clients, the platform becomes an even more valuable resource to the homebuying public,” stated Eliant’s President, Fernanda Luick. Aggregate ratings are published for the homebuilder in addition to detailed ratings and comments per community. A fantastic sales and marketing tool, Eliant Reviews makes it easy for homebuilders to source and publish verified homebuyer reviews, respond to homebuyer comments directly, and build
The Bradford near Boston Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, through its Toll Brothers Apartment Living® rental subsidiary, and The Davis Companies is pleased to announce the opening of The Bradford, a brand-new luxury community located in Belmont, Mass. The project marks the sixth partnership between Toll Brothers Apartment Living and The Davis Companies. The Bradford, a 112-apartment home community, offers a blend of studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans across three buildings. Each apartment home includes a premier package of modern and contemporary finishes. Residents enter their residences through a secure keyless entry system and are met with high-end features including wood-style flooring, quartz countertops, pendant lighting, stainless steel appliances, full size in-unit washer and dryer, and spacious walk-in closets. Select homes feature dens and balconies.
trust with prospective homebuyers who go online to research new home communities. “Research shows that consumer reviews are very influential on the homebuyer’s purchasing journey. We have found that homebuilders who publish verified homebuyer ratings and reviews experience higher degrees of brand trust and credibility, leading to more referral sales,” Luick continued.
Welcome to Portland LGI Homes, Inc. has unveiled Harts Crossing, a new community in Portland, Ore., located ten miles east of downtown. This enclave of 32 townhomes offers new, low maintenance homes with included upgrades in a commuter-friendly location near the TriMet MAX light rail. “We are excited to announce our first community located in the heart of Multnomah County,” said Ryan Stokes, division president at LGI Homes. “Harts Crossing gives our customers immediate access to the city of Portland’s many amenities and attractions.” Buyers may choose from three distinct floor plans at Harts Crossing, ranging in size from approximately 1,300 to 1,600 square feet, each equipped with LGI’s CompleteHome™ suite of upgrades. The three- to four-bedroom homes include attached, one-car garages and popular design characteristics such as open-concept entertaining areas, luxurious owner retreats and upstairs flex rooms, which allow space for homeowners to personalize as a home office, fitness area, children’s retreat or more. In each home at Harts Crossing, buyers will enjoy modern kitchens equipped with granite countertops, high-grade cabinetry, stainless steel appliances by Whirlpool® and ENERGY STAR LED lighting.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Home patrol Moorebot, the maker of cool robot applications like the ZEUS fighting robot, has revealed its new Scout robot on Kickstarter. “The Moorebot Scout is an autonomous AI robot that lets you monitor, discover and explore the world around you,” says Jun Ye, CEO at Moorebot at Pilot Labs. “Scout’s applications range from an intelligent mobile home camera, a pet companion, a surveillance tool for handyman, and an inspiring, modern learning platform for STEM education.” Moorebot’s capabilities include Smart Home integration with either Amazon Alexa or Google Home, monocular SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and audio and visual intelligence that enables Scout to recognize, follow and interact with individual persons and pets.
Because of its small size (70mm x 100mm x 110mm - 2.8inches x 4 inches x 4.3 inches ) Scout can be used to autonomously monitor a home, office or business, going under furniture and into hard to reach locations. For professionals and businesses, Scout can perform inspections in areas that are hard to reach. Equipped with a 1080P FHD camera and night vision, you can remotely guide Scout into almost every space of your house, office or building. As expected, Scout will always find its way back to re-charge on its cradle to get ready for the next assignment. In full operating mode, Scout’s batteries will last well over two hours between recharges.
Doubled output Pacific Northwest modular home builder Wolf Industries has completed construction of its new facilities and staff have resumed production. At over twice the size of its last factory, the new location is nearly 21,000 square feet and will accommodate double the production capacity - as many as two homes per week. Derek Huegel, owner and president of Wolf Industries, says the change couldn’t have come at a better time. “With about a 300 per cent increase in demand, the new shop is everything we need to help meet a massively growing need for affordable housing.” Much of the company’s success, Derek says, is attributed to offering an ‘turn-key’ product. “We not only construct the home, we handle the site work, permitting, set up and delivery as well,” he added. Through the factory-assembled structures program in Washington state, Wolf Industries is able to produce homes built to IRC standards - the same specifications and requirements found in
Meeting demand The Great Gulf Group has partnered with Westdale Real Estate Investment and Management (Westdale), and with a leading global institutional investor with in excess of $100 billion of net assets under management to source land opportunities, develop, build, own and operate dedicated build-to-rent single family housing communities in the U.S. Sunbelt through a new venture. The partners have committed an initial $200 million of equity to the venture with the potential for an additional $200 million equity commitment. “We are very excited to have teamed up with two like-minded partners in order to capitalize on the demand for new purpose-built single family housing communities. We believe this growing demand is largely driven by lifestyle and lifecycle changes by Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, affordability and an increased trend of ‘renters by choice’- a trend that was further accelerated by the onset of Covid-19. The build-to-rent single family sector currently lacks in supply of modern purpose-built single family housing and our partners and we are well positioned to leverage our collective platforms and expertise. We expect the favorable demand-supply imbalance to continue in the near term with current annual demand estimated at over 250,000 newly built single-family rental homes compared to a current annual supply of approximately 50,000. Great Gulf is in a unique position to leverage its land sourcing, acquisition, development and home building capabilities both internally and via third-party home builders in order to develop a multimarket strategy across the U.S. Sunbelt,” said Ilias Konstantopoulos, CEO of the Great Gulf Group.
much larger and more expensive homes built on-site.
MODERNHB.COM
15
A lick of
paint
As homeowners continue to revitalize their houses with DIY painting projects, manufacturers are reminded that poor quality paints will damage brand reputations – the right testing is needed to uphold quality
S
GS, the world’s leading provider
The global market for paint and coatings,
with a highly experienced, independent
of inspection, verification, testing
including industrial applications, is expected
testing service provider can help them ensure
and certification services, is
to grow annually by 4.92 per cent, reaching a
their paint products conform to customer
reminding paint manufacturers of
predicted $204.83 billion by 2023.
expectations. By subjecting paint products
the importance of ensuring their products perform well and are safe. With consumers restricted to their homes
to comprehensive analysis, deficiencies can
manufacturers need to ensure their paints
be identified before the product reaches the
perform as advertised. Consumers may not
market.
during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not
understand what constitutes ‘good quality’ in
surprising DIY projects have become a
paint, but they certainly know ‘poor quality’
under real-life conditions, against the wide
popular way to fill time. A OnePoll survey in
paint and will know not to buy it a second
variety of factors that consumers may
the US found that 81 per cent of Millennial
time. Poor quality paints often have less
reasonably expect from a paint product.
homeowners had undertaken a DIY project
covering power, which means the decorator
For example, a consumer will expect a
since the start of lockdown.
has to apply multiple coats to achieve the
bathroom paint to be water resistant. What
Testing solutions should be conducted
Redecoration is a common DIY project
correct intensity of color. This will leave the
characteristics a paint must conform to
because it is relatively inexpensive but can
consumer dissatisfied, and this can have a
depends on where the paint is to be applied.
have a major impact on the way a property
negative impact on the brand’s reputation.
For example, outdoor paints should be tested
looks. This helps to create a growth industry.
16
To capitalize on this market growth,
MODERNHB.COM
Manufacturers are reminded that working
for factors such as application, adhesion, age
PAINT
resistance, water permeability, rust resistance (metal paints), and beading.
Another primary consideration for
demanding environmentally friendly
consumers is safety. Manufacturers need
products. In the case of paint, this can
to ensure their paint products comply with
mean low emissions. A good way to ensure
should be assessed for similar characteristics,
relevant market regulations governing safety.
paint products meet these criteria is ensure
such as application and adhesion, but also:
This can include the presence of hazardous
the paint conforms to the requirements
• Gloss
substances – formaldehyde, volatile organic
of the EU Ecolabel. It demonstrates waste
• Opacity
compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, etc.
quantities have been limited, environmental
Bathroom and kitchen paints, however,
• Washability • Anti-condensation •
Water steam permeability
•
Liquid resistance
•
Fungal resistance It is only by testing paint products against
the demands of real-life usage that paint manufacturers can ensure their reputation is
Finally, manufacturers should consider the fact that consumers are increasingly
risks reduced, and the discharge of toxic or polluting substances has been minimized. F
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. www.sgs.com/hardlines
protected. MODERNHB.COM
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MODERNHB.COM
CASE STUDY
Revitalized
approach RC Willey Home Furnishings improves efficiency and customer experience with TrueCommerce
R
C Willey Home Furnishings improved efficiency and customer experience by replacing its legacy EDI system with TrueCommerce’s cloud-based supply chain management platform. In this success story, TrueCommerce,
a global provider of trading partner connectivity, integration and unified commerce solutions, analyzes how its ecUtopia platform helped the retailer accelerate order processing and expand into new sales channels.
Background RC Willey Home Furnishings is a Furniture Today Top 100 retailer owned by Berkshire Hathaway and is based in Salt Lake City. Offering exceptional selection, value and service for over 80 years, it currently operates 13 stores and three distribution centers in Utah, Nevada, Idaho and California. Unlike many home furnishings retailers, RC Willey sells appliances, consumer electronics and flooring in addition to furniture and mattresses. A TrueCommerce-ecUtopia customer since moving from a legacy EDI provider in 2016, RC Willey uses the solution to exchange EDI 850 Purchase Orders (POs) and EDI 855 PO Acknowledgements with vendors, and is currently implementing EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice (ASN) support.
Easy management for thousands of SKUs While most of its competitors offer just furniture and mattresses, RC Willey has the expertise to sell, deliver and install not only these traditional products but also products for the entire home such as, appliances, consumer electronics and even flooring. EDI helps make that additional supply chain complexity transparent. “It’s easy for us to handle any kind of merchandise because it runs through our system the same way,” reports Stuart Peterson, Vice President of Supply Chain. “It’s a SKU, it’s a vendor and TrueCommerce-ecUtopia handles it all identically. Also, the transaction-based cost model really works for us.”
Winning the ‘Race for Product’ In a market space driven by ever-heightening customer expectations, having the right products in place at the right time is essential to success. And, with online shopping’s growth since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, rapid fulfillment has become even more important. MODERNHB.COM
19
“In the COVID market, it’s become a race for product,” Stuart relates. “The faster you get orders in, the faster you go to the head of the
crucial to supporting RC Willey’s ongoing
and other important information. This helps
operations.
ease customer frustrations with sometimes
“TrueCommerce-ecUtopia helps us streamline out fulfillment delays,” emphasizes
today’s market.”
Stuart. “The more efficiently things flow, the
important to our order flow,” Stuart states.
Manual processes can’t keep up with
“Automation and accuracy are really
better for our customers. Plus, because we’re
“One of the key benefits of TrueCommerce-
today’s demand and can result in delays and
bringing product in faster with fewer errors
ecUtopia is more consistent and better order
customer frustration. Stuart clarifies: “Without
we can handle more volume and put more
tracking, with fewer errors. The ability to
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia EDI, we’d have
business through our system with our existing
see where product is and know when it will
bottlenecks in our order entry process, and
staff.”
arrive at our DCs is critical to our customer
we’d send POs to vendors more slowly. Those seconds and minutes add up when you’re talking about 10,000 orders.” He continues: “On the vendor side, without
experience.”
Improving the customer experience
A strong sense of value
According to Stuart, ongoing Covid-19 supply
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia’s deep industry
EDI there could be backlogs in the process of
chain impacts have led to “backorders like
expertise keeps RC Willey’s orders flowing
transferring a PO from a PDF into the vendor’s
I’ve never seen before.” As a result, customer
predictably, even during tumultuous markets.
business system. Those backlogs might delay
communications have taken center stage.
“We have confidence in the
an order by a day or two, which could mean it
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia’s real-time
misses that week’s production cycle and now
visibility into the supply chain makes it
“They understand our business and it matters
the delay is ten days.”
easier for RC Willey to keep customers
to them. They’re professional, skilled and
appraised of delivery dates, order changes
operate with a straight-line focus on resolving
TrueCommerce technology has been
20
unavoidable delays.
line. Speed in ordering is critically important in
MODERNHB.COM
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia team,” says Stuart.
CASE STUDY
problems quickly. The communication is
confirms Stuart. “They are a partner that can
excellent. There’s such a strong sense of value
take us into the future, with new applications
doubled in the current market, and
with TrueCommerce.”
and features that can make us more efficient.
is a key channel for our advertising,
I’m grateful for it.”
promotions and brand awareness,”
Future opportunities
Another compelling option for RC Willey
“Our online business has more than
indicates Stuart. “I confidently
RC Willey is in the process of extending its
is TrueCommerce-ecUtopia’s drop shipping
recommend TrueCommerce-ecUtopia
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia investment with
support, which can automate and accelerate
to people who ask, and it’s nice to see
support for EDI 856 Advance Ship Notices
sending POs and shipment data to vendors for
how familiar people already are with
(ASNs). The detailed delivery information
individual consumer orders placed online.
them in our industry.” F
in ASNs will further improve visibility into inbound shipments, provide physical shipment specifics to aid delivery preparation, and more. “ASNs will automate our order tracking even more, and also give us more accurate shipment arrival dates,” Stuart notes. But ASNs are only one of several digital transformation projects on the table for this home furnishings leader. “There’s a lot more opportunity for us to leverage
TrueCommerce is the most complete way to connect your business across the supply chain, integrating everything from EDI, to inventory management, to fulfillment, to digital storefronts and marketplaces, to your business system, and to whatever comes next. To stay ahead in today’s dynamic global market, companies need to be able to do business in a lot of different directions at once. But too often, doing so means too many solutions and too much assembly required. For decades TrueCommerce has helped businesses be more connected, more supported, and more prepared for what’s next. www.truecommerce.com
TrueCommerce-ecUtopia’s technology,” MODERNHB.COM
21
Valuable
data
A new smart device has been trialed by Garney Construction, designed to protect workers from heat stress at ten U.S. worksites
G 22
arney Construction, based in
The devices, worn on the arms of 28 Garney
“We’re committed to continually evaluating
North Kansas City with a singular
workers at ten worksites throughout the U.S.,
new methods of protecting our employee-
focus on water and wastewater
are manufactured by Kenzen. They monitor
owners and incorporating the best solutions
construction, is interested in
key physiological indicators of each worker,
available,” said Ryan Smith, regional safety
keeping its employee-owners as safe as
including core body temperature, heart rate,
manager at Garney who co-ordinated the
possible on the job. Recently, the company
and exertion level. Detecting changes in
proof-of-concept project with the company’s
added a new element to its already robust
these factors can lead to proactive prediction
environmental health and safety (EHS) leaders
safety programs by testing new wearable
and prevention of heat injuries and illnesses,
and regional project supervisors. “We’re
technology smart devices.
including fatalities.
looking to add more prevention approaches
MODERNHB.COM
SAFETY
to supervisors via their phones and a web dashboard that provides real-time heat health status of all team members. Alerts escalate from an initial ‘stop work’ message to rest and hydrate, to subsequent alerts for additional measures to avoid emergency situations. Follow-up alerts indicate when a person’s core body temperature has returned to a safe level for resuming work. Cumulative data can be analyzed by EHS leaders at the company to detect patterns and customize heat stress prevention and treatment strategies at various locations – from the dry heat of Arizona, to the extreme heat of the Texas sun, to the hot humidity of Florida, and heat conditions at Colorado altitudes. Garney used the location-specific information to adjust break times and educate employee-owners on steps they can take to protect themselves, such as how to acclimatize to warm working conditions when coming onto a worksite, and best clothing choices. Although Kenzen collects large amounts of physiological data from each worker, varying levels of information are provided to different viewers to protect workers’ rights, especially with regard to the privacy of their personal health information. “Garney is on the leading edge of bringing technology into the safety equation,” said Heidi Lehmann, cofounder of Kenzen. “Because Garney is owned by its employees, all were involved in the decision and all are interested in advancing their business through increased safety and productivity.” F to our systems, which now include education and training, hydration, monitoring atmospheric and ambient heat, and cooling stations.”
Safe working Data from the wearable sensors provide alerts to workers by sending vibrations to the device
Garney specializes in the construction of water and wastewater pipelines, treatment facilities, pumping stations, water storage tanks, and industrial/heavy civil projects. Garney was established in Kansas City in 1961 and has 19 regional offices. www.garney.com Founded in 2014, Kenzen is the premier physiological monitoring platform to keep work forces safe from heat, fatigue and over exertion on the job. www.kenzen.com
and notifications to their smart phones, and MODERNHB.COM
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Photo credit: Joshua Johnson, Interior, Brett Schreckengost, Aerial
Stunning vistas
Two major stars from different fields have their homes featured in this month’s Modern Home Builders – legendary action hero Tom Cruise, and renowned baseball professional, Derek Jeter
S
tardom surged for Tom Cruise in 1983
his children and much of his marriage to
Detached and in its own aspen grove is the
when he was 19 and slid into the
Katie Holmes. It was also the location of his
charming guest house. Combined, there are a
hallway in Risky Business. Now in his
last major interview with Oprah, a follow-up
total of seven bedrooms and nine full baths.
fourth decade as one of the world’s
to Tom’s exuberant couch-jumping episode with Oprah in 2005. Oprah was so taken with
seasons. Outside is a sports court for tennis,
homes in Beverly Hills; Clearwater, Florida and
the Cruise ranch and its views that she later
basketball or ice hockey and a private trail
a 320-acre ranch in Telluride, Colorado that
bought her own home nearby.
system with access to and views of the
he helped design and is now for sale at $39.5 million. The Telluride home holds a lot of history for Cruise. It is where he enjoyed time with
The first impression of Tom’s home driving
with a private gate into the Uncompahgre
entrance is the staggering view of the
National Forest. There are hiking and riding
mountains and valleys. Designed to take
trails and both dirt bike and snowmobile
full advantage of the views, the
tracks which thread throughout the 320 acres.
11,512-square-foot living space
Telluride has long been a destination for
includes the 10,000-square-foot,
celebrities who like to ski or just get away
four-bedroom main house and
and chill from their high-octane professional
a three-bedroom guest house.
lives and now is even more popular for
Blending in with its wooded
second-home buyers during the pandemic.
surroundings, the structures are clad
Other stars who also find Telluride to be a
in rustic-bleached-cedar timbers
great getaway include Robert Redford, Jerry
and native stone with beamed
Seinfeld, and designer-to-the-stars Ralph
ceilings and large expanses of
Lauren. The listing agent for the Tom Cruise
kitchen, living room and dining
Telluride ranch is Dan Dockray of LIV Sotheby’s
room that will seat a crowd, there is
International Realty, Telluride, Colorado.
a gym, recreation room and library. MODERNHB.COM
14,000-foot-high mountains in the distance
up the mile-long driveway from the gated
glass. In addition to a large eat-in
24
The grounds are equally impressive in all
most successful and wealthy actors, Tom owns
Source: www.sothebysrealty.com
CELEBRITY HOMES Photo credit: Wright Bros.
Derek Jeter’s castle
the Jeter compound includes four indoor
More unique than almost anything else on
kitchens, one outside kitchen and an extra-
the real estate market today and expansive
large, infinity-edged pool. Living areas include
enough for family, extended family,
six bedrooms, seven full and five half baths,
teammates and favorite friends, retired New
great room, multiple stone fireplaces including
York Yankees star and first-ballot MLB Hall of
one on the terrace, dens, game room,
surprised most baseball experts by making the
Famer, Derek Jeter, has dropped the price on
sunroom, formal dining room, office, gym
MLB playoffs in 2020 and then knocked out
his castle-like resort home on Greenwood
and family room with a bar. The turret opens
the Chicago Cubs in the first round. Jeter also
Lake in New York by $2 million. Previously
out to a widow’s walk, which is duplicated on
manages a plethora of other business interests
listed in 2018 at $14.75 million, it is now back
the guest house, providing beautiful lake and
and since his marriage to model Hannah Davis
on the market at $12.75 million.
wood views. There are extensive gardens, a
in 2016, is also a family man helping to raise
Statue of Liberty replica and a four-car garage.
their two young children. Unable to spend
built in 1903 by New York Doctor Rudolph
Even with a large number of guests, there is
time in his castle on the lake, it makes sense to
Gudewill for his wife, the estate is actually two
always a quiet place to spend some alone
pass it on to a family who will enjoy it as much
castles - the master castle with a connected
time.
as his own family has over the years.
Known locally as ‘The Castle’ and originally
tower and a guest castle. After Gudewill
With his busy schedule as part owner and
died, John and Julia Tiedemann bought the
CEO of the Miami Marlins, Derek oversees
castle, where they lived with their 13 children
the day-to-day operations of the team that
The listing agent is Mary Lovera with Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack, New York. Source: mlovera.wrightinnyack.com
including an adopted son, William Connors. Connors was later to become Jeter’s maternal grandfather. Jeter spent many of his childhood summers at the castle swimming, playing sports and chores. The Tiedemanns sold the estate in 1996, but when it came back on the market in 2002, Jeter bought it and began a long and expensive restoration.
For details of these houses and other celebrity homes, please visit: www.topTenRealEstateDeals.com https://www.toptenrealestatedeals.com/weekly-ten-best-home-deals/home/tomcruises-320-acre-colorado-mountain-ranch-is-for-sale https://www.toptenrealestatedeals.com/weekly-ten-best-home-deals/home/derekjeter-lowers-price-on-family-castle
Encompassing 12,590 square feet of living space between the main and guest castles, MODERNHB.COM
25
INTEGRITY HOMES
Building quality
With over 15 years’ experience of creating extraordinary homes in the best neighborhoods, Integrity Homes can be described as ‘a small builder with big connections’
26
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INTEGRITY HOMES
T
he name that this business chose
hands, drawing on a wealth of homebuilding
this community with 51 sales in 2020 and the
for itself includes a noun that
experience and passion. The company
balance of homes will be delivered in 2021.
perfectly sums up its business
works with only the best vendors and sub-
An 831-acre master-planned community that
model – Integrity. It represents
contractors, using superior materials and
is loaded with amenities, Embrey Mill offers
who the company is and is reflected in every
products and working with familiar brand
resort style living, with the success of the
aspect of how it does business, as throughout
names such as G.E., Moen, Kohler and Progress
scheme already evident.
its operations, it continually strives to exemplify
Lighting.
all meanings of the word Integrity. So, not only
Exceptional homes
locations in the Washington DC/Virginia/
The newest Integrity community is due to
of construction, but it also works with
Maryland areas, but even as the business
open in spring of 2021. Called The Enclave
truthfulness and honesty towards the people
expands, it always stays true to its ethos of
at Fair Lakes, it will consist of 197 three- and
that will call its houses home.
building high quality and beautiful homes
four-story townhomes, in Fairfax, Virginia. “The
that can be seen as physical extensions of the
Fair Lakes area is a very desirable location that
individuals who live inside.
is rich with amenities and provides easy access
The start of the process of having a home built by Integrity begins with the creation of a quality relationship. Direct, sincere and open
28
Integrity Homes builds in highly desirable
does it build houses with complete soundness
To get an insight into the stunning
for commuting,” said Rob. “We expect to open
communication is one of the cornerstones
projects that Integrity Homes creates, the
for sales in early May and plan to deliver our
of the company’s philosophy, and Integrity
first port of call should be its website www.
first homes in the 4th quarter of 2021. These
Homes believes that this approach brings
yourintegrityhome.com. Here visitors can select
will be upscale homes that are similar to the
peace of mind during what is often one of the
the area that they are interested in and see
design we build at National Harbor.
most important purchases that a person will
a variety of community options – and one
ever make.
aspect that does exemplify the popularity of
Head and Creekside have also recently sold
“Our Estates series on five-acre lots at Popes
Having first created a rapport with the
an Integrity home is how many are sold out!
out,” added Rob. “Plus, since inception we
developer, customers buying an Integrity
Looking at Embrey Mill in Stafford, VA just as
have completed eight phases of construction
home also know that their dream house is
example, and Rob Hutzel, Co-Owner/Partner
at National Harbor with over 350 homes
being carefully and skillfully created by expert
at Integrity noted that it had a record year in
completed.”
MODERNHB.COM
Having referred to National Harbor, Rob brings the conversation onto this unique upscale commercial and residential development, which is located in Maryland and enjoys panoramic views of the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria, and Washington, DC. With over 40 restaurants and 160 retail outlets, as well as the MGM National Harbor Resort, the area is not just a hub for shopping but also for art, dining and entertainment. “Integrity Homes reached an agreement to build in National Harbor in 2010, and it has, and continues to be, a significant contribution
Our projections call for a continuation of our operations in terms of volume and overhead based on our present land position and projected new land opportunities, but, we are positioned well for the next three years and have our sights on the needed land positions to sustain our operations for the future
to the success of our company,” revealed Rob. “Monument Series is the newest phase of homes there, which we have adapted from our original Brownstone product line of fourstory luxury townhomes. We delivered our first homes in the Monument series this past February and have just recently opened our models. The reception to our newest product
Masonry Design, Inc. Masonry Design, Inc. have been working with Integrity Homes since their inception. Our relationship is built on the same core principles that include Quality, Truth, Integrity, Pride and Communication. It is a pleasure working with a homebuilder who employs professional, quality-minded personnel. We value our relationship with Integrity Homes and are proud to be a Trade Partner.
line has been very positive as we have sold 47
MODERNHB.COM
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INTEGRITY HOMES
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of the 55 homes that we plan on delivering in 2021. “We have paid particular attention to design and the siting of our homes to maximize the views,” Rob added. “The inclusion of a roof top terrace provides exceptional views as well as an outdoor living space.”
Team development Delivering exceptional homes such as the Monument Series has had an additional layer of challenges added to it over the past year, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that has caused logistical and resource issues for all in the construction sector. Rob highlighted that for Integrity, the effects were felt in the cycle times to build homes, among other areas. “From delays in permitting and material shortages, to extended lead-times for material deliveries, and staging trades in the houses, these factors - all related to Covid-19 - have challenged us to build our homes and have extended our cycle times,” he said. “The recent spike in materials costs, especially lumber, has also put pricing pressure on our homes. “As a company, we were very optimistic coming into 2020, we had a solid business plan and backlog of sales to support it,” he continued. “It was April when we felt the initial impact of Covid-19 when sales activity came to a halt. Fortunately, in May our sales rebounded for the balance of the year and resulted in a record year for both sales and closings for our company. We had no manual or policy on how to manage a pandemic, but we quickly adopted one to promote a safe working environment by having office staff
have been possible without the ability of our
to secure additional land opportunities will
work remotely or in shifts and the office was
employees to acclimatize to the changes that
be critical to achieve the goals we have set
locked down for employee access only. In our
were required due to Covid-19.
in our future business plans,” he agreed. “Our
communities, we controlled access into our
“I also feel the development of the senior
projections call for a continuation of our
models and our project managers limited their
management team and their ability to work
operations in terms of volume and overhead
physical interaction with our trade partners
cohesively to manage the operations on
based on our present land position and
on site.
a day-to-day basis has been a significant
projected new land opportunities, but, we are
development and will greatly enhance our
positioned well for the next three years and
success.”
have our sights on the needed land positions
“Our daily operations and how we functioned had to change in many ways. How we conducted meetings, processed
As the vaccination program gathers speed
files, managed virtual site inspections of our
and confidence increases further in the
homes by county officials, interacted with
market, Integrity Homes can look towards
our customers via our website and directed
the future with a sense of optimism. Rob did
virtual tours of our models, are all testaments
note that a recent surge in sales has depleted
to our employees’ ability to not only adapt, but
finished lot inventories, but the pipeline
to do so in a manner that seemed seamless.
for new residential land opportunities is a
The success we achieved in 2020 would not
challenge most builders are facing. “Our ability
to sustain our operations for the future.” F
Integrity Homes www.yourintegrityhomes.com Services: Quality house builder
MODERNHB.COM
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AZURE NORTHWEST HOMES
32
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Best in the
Northwest
From sunrise mountain views to lush green forests, Azure Northwest Homes is inspired by the land, culture and lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest
MODERNHB.COM
33
AZURE NORTHWEST HOMES
34
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I
saac Stocks and Tom Young were working at a national home builder when they met. Operating in the land-constricted Puget Sound region, a market traditionally
dominated by local builders, the pair watched on as the aftermath of the Great Recession forced many well-established home builders to decide between buy-out offers from national firms and retirement. Isaac and Tom realized the scarcity of
If we maintain our current trajectory and improve our processes, we will soon be closing 100 to 150 homes a year consistently in the Puget Sound. I think we have a really unique ability to develop land and I think more of those development opportunities will be heading our way in the months and years ahead
entitled lots in the region, and recognized the need for a local development and home
Pacific Northwest’s best-loved mixed-use
but a drive through an older neighborhood
building company that could help meet the
communities.
in Tacoma really inspired us. These were
demand for housing in the Northwest. “This is
“One of my favorite developments at
single story homes with five- or six-foot tall
a unique market in many ways, so you really
present - one that I am particularly proud
basements that provided storage and space
need someone who is very familiar with each
of - is in Tehaleh, where we are building what
for mechanicals. We knew that we could apply
jurisdiction and how to navigate the waters,”
we call ‘half basements’,” Isaac says. “We are
this building style and develop a modern and
Isaac explains. After many late-night strategy
constantly struggling with affordability in
more efficient version of these classic homes.”
sessions and cups of local coffee, Isaac and Tom
our market. Azure NW was presented with
founded Azure Northwest Homes in 2014.
an opportunity to design smaller, more
Azure developed a plan whereby living space
Acquiring raw land, entitled land and
affordable homes on 35 wide by 80 deep
could be located on the main ‘upper’ floor
finished lots all over the Northwest, Azure
lots. We sketched out some product ideas,
and bedrooms on the lower ‘basement’ level.
After experimenting with this concept,
closed over 70 homes in 2020 and is quickly establishing itself as one of the larger local builders in the region. Most recently, work was completed on the East Harbor Estates project, a development of private, tucked-away, openlayout homes with rooftop decks, detached garages, and an average lot size of 15,000 square feet.
Inspired ideas Ranging from 1370 square feet to 1685 square feet, homes in Edmunds Park - another Azure project - contain up to three bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as easy access to community coffee shops, playgrounds, and nature trails. The Edmunds Park development is located in Tehaleh, Washington’s best-selling master-planned community. Just 20 miles from Tacoma and 40 miles from Seattle, Tehaleh lies in the shadow of Mount Rainier and features ‘rustic-meetsrefined’ Northwest-style living, popular with those looking to balance work-home life and enjoy outdoor activities. Along with Edmunds Park, Azure has created one-of-a-
Bringing Designs to Life Full service Interior Design Studio, specializing in Model Home design and merchandising for production builders in the Pacific Northwest. PENNINGTON DESIGN GROUP LLC 562.208.1811
kind, affordable, single-family homes at fellow
Meg@penningtondesigngroup.com
Tehaleh communities Observation Ridge,
www.penningtondesigngroup.com
The Peaks and The Trails. Rich with amenities and boasting over 20 miles of trails through forests, meadows and wetlands, as well as 12 unique parks, open spaces and native terrain
MEG PENNINGTON Principal Designer Chair-Professional Women in Building, PDX, Metro
for exercise and leisure, Tehaleh is one of the MODERNHB.COM
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AZURE NORTHWEST HOMES
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MODERNHB.COM
One benefit of the new design was that it
were able to navigate the waters. We invested
continues to work its way through a
allowed the company to build with a lot more
in technology quite early on as a company.
number of existing projects, including a
concrete, improving Azure’s ability to control
We have a builder platform that is web-based
new development in Edgewood. With the
costs in the face of market fluctuation.
and our computers are Microsoft Surfaces, so
company already expanding at a significant
we were able to create home workstations
rate, Isaac believes that the key to further
that we were able to take a 25 wide plan and
and move around with hotspots onsite. When
success for Azure is to keep focusing on what
make the living space feel just as inviting and
the pandemic hit Washington state, we were
the business does well.
spacious as a larger property,” Isaac reports.
shut down and unable to work for six weeks.
“We were also able to reduce the amount
Fortunately, our team was flexible and resilient.
improve our processes, we will soon be
of lumber, siding, and other materials that
Everyone adapted to the new landscape and
closing 100 to 150 homes a year consistently
helped keep costs down. It was a puzzle for
kept the company moving forward.
in the Puget Sound,” Isaac declares. “I think
“The half basement design also meant
a while, until we were able to figure out the
“All in all, our team really embraced working
“If we maintain our current trajectory and
we have a really unique ability to develop
most functional layout, but we were able to
from home,” Isaac continues. “The majority
land and I think more of those development
deliver a unique and affordable product that
of workers in the home building industry
opportunities will be heading our way in the
has been very popular with our buyers.”
remember the Great Recession, so I think
months and years ahead.” F
when times get tough, our sector is pretty
Flexible & resilient
nimble and can adjust with the tide. We found
Recipient of the Local Tribute Award for
that we were pretty efficient working from
Builder of the Year in 2019, Azure has grown
home, and now are in a position where we
tremendously over the last half-decade,
need to decide what our business is going to
employing more than 50 local people in
look like moving forward.”
the process. Cognizant of the latest industry
Azure Northwest Homes www.AzureNW.com Services: Designer and builder of single-family homes
As we move into the spring, Azure
trends and demands, the company is currently navigating demographic shifts, alongside a strong tailwind for housing. In order to keep its finger on the pulse of the market, Azure is careful to listen to its customers and adapt its offering accordingly. “As a builder of our size, we believe in trying to understand what works for our customers and then appropriately serving those needs,” Isaac remarks. “We also really pride ourselves on our purchase process. We knew from our previous experience with larger builders, that it was essential to have established processes for guiding and managing customers through the phases of homebuilding. We wanted to provide a personal customer experience, and consistently deliver homes that our buyers can be proud of.” Azure’s customer-centric approach is exemplified by its work at Tehaleh. In line with requests from buyer surveys and client wish lists, the company has focused on designing and delivering homes with larger garages, pantries and outdoor living spaces. Not only has this resulted in developments better suited to client needs, but also in a boost to Azure’s ever-growing reputation that even helped the company defy expectations in 2020 – a year dominated by Covid-19. “The company has done incredibly well over the last 12 months or so,” Isaac reveals. “It was actually a little shocking how well we MODERNHB.COM
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INTERSTATE HOMES
Hot property Building lasting memories in Utah’s Hurricane Valley, Interstate Homes has forged a reputation for creating innovative homes at affordable prices in desirable communities
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INTERSTATE HOMES
I
n amongst the mountain valleys and red rock mesas of southwestern Utah, sits the Hurricane Valley. Sandwiched between St George and Zion National Park, the region
has become famous for escape, adventure, and thanks to the work of Interstate Homes, beautiful places to live. A subsidiary of Interstate Rock, Interstate Homes has been designing and building innovative, energy-efficient, and affordable homes in Hurricane Valley communities for more than a decade. Benefitting from the engineering and excavation capabilities of its parent firm, Interstate Homes can transform any dirt tract into a property of the highest modern standard. Amanda Condie, Production Manager at Interstate Homes, believes that a large portion of the company’s success over the years has been driven by the pride it takes in each and every one of its projects. “Not only do our home owners live in our communities, but we live in our communities too,” she explains. “Most of us in the Interstate Family of businesses have grown up in Hurricane, and as a result, we are highly invested in this community and in making sure that our properties enhance the area in which we all live and work. We want our home owners to be happy!” Interstate Homes has performed work on a number of new subdivisions over the last decade, including Westfield Estates, and Parkside at Grandpa’s Pond. Featuring some of the most spectacular views in southern Utah, lots at Grandpa’s Pond come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing each owner to select the ideal site for their dream home. This subdivision will continue to grow through future phases.
Design trends In 2021, Interstate Homes has been focused on projects at Cottonwood Hollow, where Phases 3 and 4 will be opening this summer, and The Ridge at Zion Vista – another subdivision offering unrivalled views of the Hurricane Valley and surrounding mountains. No matter where a new owner wishes to live, each Interstate home is designed and constructed with the same key principles in mind. “First of all, we want to deliver a home that is cost-effective to build and live in,” Amanda reports. “Secondly, whether we’re working with
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a family, a couple, or an individual, we need to
one-tone paint for use on walls, doors, trims
that won’t look out of place 20 years down
design homes that suit people from all walks
and ceilings.
the line.”
of life.
“I think all trends recirculate, but this is one that has surprised me,” Amanda states. “I
Building relationships
have great energy efficient additions that a
suppose one-tone is timeless. A lot of people
In order to help its home owners realize
lot of other builders ignore. The difference is,
come in during the design phase and they
their own specific visions, Interstate Homes
we want our properties to be forever homes.
really want a home that won’t age quickly.
employs technology such as Buildertrend
We build homes that everybody can see
People don’t want the classic black and white
software, which allows the firm to keep
themselves living in for the rest of their lives.”
look anymore because, in 5 years’ time, we
track of selection processes, ordering times,
Of course, the nature of the construction
will all know when those homes were built.
schedules, home owner information, property
industry is such that, even if core principles
I think that timeless concept is on a lot of
information and permit management. More
remain the same, consumer needs and
people’s minds. They don’t want a timestamp
important than these automated processes,
design trends are everchanging. One such
on their home, but a brushed nickel finish
however, is the company’s small but
contemporary inclination has seen a return to
is always going to look good, or wall colors
dedicated workforce.
“All in all, our homes are well laid out and
“We currently have eight employees
In the future, I anticipate that we will grow and expand into different areas in Washington County and the surrounding regions, including, perhaps, Iron County and Kane County. I think we’ll predominantly stay down here in the desert of southern Utah, but we want to expand to different communities
covering 67 homes, which might not sound like a lot, but all our properties are semicustom and that takes a lot of management,” Amanda points out. “We are a very tightknit team and I think we portray that to our home buyers and the wider community. We want people to love our homes, and we stand by our product because we know it’s great quality work performed by fabulous subcontractors, who are a key part of our
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INTERSTATE HOMES
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team. We pride ourselves on building great
piece of the pie, which changes the dynamic,
though it’s still all about building and finishing
relationships with our subcontractors, with
but I think everybody here knows, and can
around 75 single-family homes a year, I
the people who buy our homes, with the
see, that our quality and our expertise really
believe we will eventually start to construct
members of our community, and with city
shine through.”
multifamily units as well because, typically,
municipalities and representatives.”
Alongside a focus on efficiency, Interstate Homes hopes to acquire more land in 2021
that’s the way this business trends. “In the future, I anticipate that we will grow
Welcoming communities
as part of its efforts to seize the moment and
and expand into different areas in Washington
In 2020, Interstate Homes faced perhaps the
take advantage of surging desire for homes
County and the surrounding regions, including,
biggest test of its history when the Covid-19
in the Hurricane Valley. Though the pandemic
perhaps, Iron County and Kane County,”
pandemic hit the United States. After an
has given rise to equipment shortages and
Amanda notes. “I think we’ll predominantly stay
initial two-week period of disruption in which
longer lead times, Amanda is confident that
down here in the desert of southern Utah, but
developers and construction companies
there has never been a better time to move
we want to expand to different communities.
were forced to step away from their work,
into a new home in one of the USA’s most
We want to bring our love of the building in
Interstate Homes was soon inundated with
dramatic landscapes and most welcoming
the Hurricane Valley to new areas and to as
opportunities and its greatest challenge
communities. She is also adamant that
many people as possible.” F
became sourcing materials fast enough to
Interstate Homes is the best company to help
meet demand.
make those Hurricane Valley dreams a reality.
“We are building across four separate
“Despite all the obstacles in our way, it’s
subdivisions right now with multiple lots,
been a really positive year. Now I just want
and we receive three to five calls each
to see the business growing steadily into the
day from potential home buyers,” Amanda
future,” Amanda remarks. “I feel as though
reveals. “Covid has impacted the supply
our current team has reached capacity and,
Interstate Homes www.myinterstatehome.com Services: Innovative home builder
of lumber, and our subcontractors are struggling to obtain bathroom fixtures due to manufacturing plant shutdowns, but we are working through it. The ripple effect of the pandemic has led to price increases across the board, but we are pleased to have avoided a slowdown. Instead, we’ve had a crazy ballooning of demand, so we are just trying to build as fast as we can and as well as we can.” The rapid increase in demand for Interstate Homes’ services, even during a year dominated by a global pandemic, is due, in part, to the rising popularity of the Hurricane Valley with home owners. With Covid-19 leading many businesses to the realization that their employees can work effectively from home, vast numbers of Americans are now enjoying the freedom to move out of metropolitan areas and work remotely from locations as geographically diverse as Hurricane. “This area has just completely blown up,” Amanda declares. “If we had hundreds more lots available, we would have hundreds more contracts. We live in a wonderful place with tons of outdoor recreation opportunities, which, as the world shut down, were some of the only hobbies and activities that could continue. The result is that Utah, and the Hurricane Valley, have been at the center of mass migration recently. Unfortunately, since that has happened, a lot of out-of-state builders have come in to the area to get a MODERNHB.COM
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THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION®®®
Masters of
community
Bridgeland - Josey Lake Boat House
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With a portfolio stretching from New York to Hawaii, The Howard Hughes Corporation® has built a reputation for developing some of the best-in-class and most desirable master planned communities in the United States
Lakeside Row
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THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION®®®
The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway
The Woodlands Waterway
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D
edicated to innovative placemaking, The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, operates and develops award-
winning commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate across the US. With a portfolio strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, Howard Hughes operates one of the strongest property portfolios in the country.
Going forward, we will continue to deliver communities that remain focused on sustainability, as well as environmentally, but from a market penetration standpoint as well. We are constantly striving to keep our finger on the pulse so that we can adjust to the market and be dynamic in everything we do
Focusing on master planned communities and communities of the future, Howard
to remain vibrant and relevant within the
Hughes’ inspirational vision helps people
marketplace for the long-term.”
discover new ways to experience life. “Our approach to master planned
Hughes’ commitment to the environment. “We encourage health and wellbeing in our
While every one of Howard Hughes’
communities,” Melton states. “You’ll see a lot of
master planned communities has its own
pedestrian connectivity in our neighborhoods.
communities at Howard Hughes makes us
distinct environment and amenities, each
We like to make sure we have extensive trail
unique,” declares Heath Melton, Executive
is developed with the same principles of
systems to help connect residents from their
Vice President, MPC Residential. “We are one
design excellence and focus on providing
homes to places of interest, including parks,
of the few fully-integrated, publicly-traded,
exceptional open green space, parks, lakes
retail centers or their office. A live, work, play
large-scale developers in the industry. We
and trails, offering residents the opportunity
component is incorporated into our design
develop all the infrastructure associated with a
to connect meaningfully with nature and each
and our placemaking experiences to create
project and self-perform all asset classes with
other. These areas also fall in line with Howard
an urban walkable environment. It also helps
the exception of home building. We focus on long term value creation and remain 100 per cent involved in our projects for the life of the community.”
Environmental commitment As of 2021, Howard Hughes’ portfolio includes the Seaport District in New York City, Downtown Columbia in Maryland, The Woodlands®, The Woodlands Hills®, and Bridgeland® in Texas, and Ward Village® in Honolulu, Hawaii. Summerlin® in Las Vegas, another of Howard Hughes’ master planned communities, was originally the site of a property owned by the company’s namesake and takes its name from Mr. Hughes’ paternal grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin. Today, Summerlin is the #3 top-selling master planned community in the US. “Our company is dedicated to being creators of culture and building for the future, with an unwavering commitment to masterful design and excellence in execution,” Melton says. “We want to bring people together in places where they can really engage and enjoy life. Building for the future has been a major focus for us. As you can see from our sites, we don’t just develop for the current day, we like to build with the future in mind both from a sustainability standpoint, as well as ensuring our sites stand the test of time architecturally. We want all our developments MODERNHB.COM
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THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION®®®
The Woodlands Hills
The Woodlands Hills Pool - Founders Park
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with our sustainability goals. Not only do these open, walkable communities reduce vehicle
inspired exteriors and interiors.” As part of its contemporary approach to
sacrificing the design aesthetic fitting for our master planned community developments.”
usage, but we use a lot of plant materials
community building, Howard Hughes has
native to the region, which sustainably
also been concentrating on the affordability
introducing more multifamily programs in
reduces long term maintenance cost and
and attainability of its properties. With the
some of its master planned communities,
water usage. We are focused on the overall
need for housing on the rise across the U.S.,
allowing the business to better speak to
ecosystem – all of nature’s creatures existing
and master planned communities becoming
the demographics of each location. The
together.”
an increasingly popular choice, Howard
Woodlands, for example, which is one of the
Hughes believes in offering a variety of
company’s more urban, business district-
Community portfolio
residency programs at various price points,
based communities, is now home to a
Over the course of the last 12 months,
whilst maintaining the overall quality and
variety of high-rise, mid-rise and garden-style
the market around Howard Hughes has,
aesthetic for which the company has become
multifamily properties.
understandably, shifted dynamically due
renowned.
to the Covid-19 pandemic. As more and
“One example of how we respond to
To diversify its assets, Howard Hughes is
“Our multifamily residences include large, two-story townhomes with dedicated garages,
more people decide to move out of densely
market demand can be viewed through our
as well as four-story programs,” Melton remarks.
populated areas, the demand for a quality
townhome offerings. We partnered with
“We offer a nice blend of offerings that speak
lifestyle with open spaces has increased, and
select home builders and re-envisioned the
to different demographics, both in terms of
Howard Hughes’ master planned communities
elevations, making them feel really rich and
location and buyer/renter price points and
have been ideally positioned for the spirit of
modern, from the interior to the exterior,”
preferences.”
the moment.
Melton reveals. “We have used the same
“Today’s consumer is looking for alternatives to the traditional office density that provide
In the coming months, Howard Hughes is
strategy on introducing 40-foot and 45-foot
set to begin work on two million square feet
homesites, offering lower price points without
of development across its master planned
a higher quality work/life balance and many have transitioned to working from home or a hoteling concept where they work from home two days a week and then go to the office for three days,” Heath explains. “We have definitely been able to capture that level of demand within our communities. Our home sales increased dramatically in 2020, and we will amplify that in 2021 if current trends persist.” When it comes to residential properties, Howard Hughes’ efforts during the last four years have been directed towards cuttingedge design and becoming an architectural market leader. Since 2015, the corporation has helped to bring more modern interpretations of single-family residences and is widely believed to be the first to introduce modern farmhouse and modern prairie style designs to the Houston market. “Bridgeland has been home to a modernist development program that includes midcentury modern design and more transitional elevation. It has fared really well with the millennial generation that is now coming of age. In general, millennial customers have a changing family dynamic and are looking to get out of cities and buy homes in higher rated school districts,” Melton reports. “As a result, to better suit this market, we’ve worked closely with builders to redesign interior floor plans and create more of an open concept for people who like to entertain and seek modern MODERNHB.COM
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THE HOWARD HUGHES CORPORATION®®®
The Woodlands Hills - Activity Center
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community portfolio. New condos and multifamily residences, as well as office and retail facilities will soon find their way to the Seaport, Downtown Columbia, Summerlin, Ward Village, The Woodlands and Bridgeland. “We are really bullish about 2021,” Melton asserts. “Based on the increasing demand for single-family housing, we think there will continue to be huge opportunities for us in Houston and Las Vegas. The single-family residential market will certainly be a focus for us in 2021, and we will be working across all our communities to satisfy that requirement. “As vaccines are implemented and the market recovers from Covid-19, we are going to see retailers re-awake in the market space,” Melton continues. “All signs point toward 2021 being very different from 2020. We are not only focused on filling out our existing space but also on discovering new opportunities that we can bring to market to fulfil the rising demand.” As owner and developer of its own master planned communities, Howard Hughes’ destiny remains very much within the company’s control. Not interested in selling its properties to third-party users, Howard Hughes is able to manage its own supply chain and, to some extent, manage the market, ensuring the space in which it operates never becomes oversaturated. “As we look out across the next three to five years, one advantage is our flexibility,” Melton notes. “We remain very flexible in both a design sense and in how we implement our plans. “As our core values suggest, we are always looking to build for the future,” he adds. “Going forward, we will continue to deliver communities that remain focused on sustainability, as well as environmentally, but from a market penetration standpoint as well. We are constantly striving to keep our finger on the pulse so that we can adjust to the market and be dynamic in everything we do.” F
The Woodlands Hills - Trails
The Howard Hughes Corporation® www.howardhughes.com Services: Real estate owner, developer and operator, specializing in master planned communities & premier commercial properties
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THE CORBO GROUP
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F
rom building his first home with no construction experience, to creating a very successful homebuilding firm known for its innovation and
quality, Ralph Corbo has never shied away from a challenge. The Founder and Owner of Connecticut-based business, The Corbo Group, and still at the helm in his 70s, Ralph is proud to be taking the business into 2021 with a firm plan for future success and his son beside him on the journey. Before sharing his strategies for the next half decade, Ralph started with the fascinating story of how The Corbo Group came into being and the evolutions it has undergone up until this day. “It was around 1975 when my wife Natalie and I built our own first home, based from a plan we saw in the local newspaper. We were enamored with the authentic English Tudor design, and we decided to embark on that undertaking, despite having never built a house before,” he began. While Ralph and Natalie may have been young (mid-20s) and inexperienced (both were public school librarians at that time) they were both determined, creative and not afraid of hard work or research. “By the time I
A better way
was 28 we had built a beautiful home, doing a lot of the work ourselves, including general contracting and interior finishes,” continued Ralph. “At the same time as the project was completed, we held a party at the house for a congressional candidate that I was helping, after he won his seat. There was media at this party, and one of the reporters from the major newspaper in the area loved our home and ended up featuring it in the Sunday magazine section. That story led to people approaching me to ask about the building process.” Seeing an opportunity, Ralph decided that during school summer vacations, he would build a house or two – thus, The Corbo Group
A focus on innovation and a dedication to excellence has enabled family-run business, The Corbo Group, to deliver exemplary homes to its customers in Connecticut for 44 years
was born in 1977. The next three years were successful and following taking leaves of absence to try the job full time, Natalie and Ralph left the library world and dedicated all their time to making their new venture a success. MODERNHB.COM
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THE CORBO GROUP
While focusing on homebuilding and some
“Colin also innovated an internal
significant restoration projects, including two
construction estimating and accounts system,
really is useful here. I read about techniques
former schools, the Group also worked on a
so we now have the ability to access what we
now and think to myself ‘we’ve been doing
few commercial buildings as well, keeping
paid for a bill a month ago and compare it to
those for 25 years’! I am glad that someone
and managing the properties for several years.
what we paid for it today. To be able to look at
else recognizes it now,” Ralph commented.
But in 2002 a near-disaster struck – Ralph
that in real time and instantly see what impact
was involved in a motorcycle accident that
it’s having on our business plan and finances
starts with a collaboration with a third-party
required multiple surgeries. Needing a right-
helps us be current with our customers.
energy rater, who assists with the design to
hand man to help Natalie run the business,
Colin’s technology expertise has allowed us to
include a high degree of energy efficiency.
he called on his son Colin, who was a graphic
operate more like a big company but remain a
“This can include areas such as ‘does the
artist at that time, to assist him.
very small company.”
home face the sun, what are the climatic
“He came back to help out and he never
Every home that The Corbo Group builds
conditions in this neighborhood, are we
left!” said Ralph. Indeed, Colin has had a
Corbo DNA
in a valley, are we on top of a ridge, which
transformational effect on the Group, not just
It is clear that Ralph is very willing to embrace
windows are we using, what is the heating
through supporting Ralph with the business,
innovation and it is true to say that this
and cooling system’?” explains Ralph. “They
and also through the sad passing of Natalie
philosophy has been a major part of The
come up with a design that is inputted into
in 2012, but by introducing new technology
Corbo Group since it was founded. In the
the Federal Department of Energy program
and approaches to Corbo’s way of working.
very early days of the business, Ralph and
called RESCheck, which gives us several
“The innovation that Colin has added to the
Natalie discovered a home concept called an
specifications and performance levels, and
company has been dramatic,” Ralph revealed.
‘envelope home’ that is very energy efficient,
tells us how much energy the home will
“Natalie managed the business well but she
and they were also very involved in passive
consume based on a standard – we are always
managed it from our generational point of
solar homes – once again, these attracted the
looking to be below that standard.
view not from his, and he has now digitized
attention of the press, raising the reputation of
every aspect of our company.”
the company and attracting new business to
is voluntary by the way) to the building
its doors. This dedication to energy efficiency
department to show what our energy profiles
filing system, where every document
has never waned, and the company is still
will look like. Then after the house is built, but
associated with an individual project is
always looking for simple ways to produce
before the walls and holes are closed up, the
scanned and collated into one file, which can
energy efficiency in the structure and design
energy rater will come back into the home
be accessed from a desk or jobsite. “We can
of the home.
and inspect all of the items that were specified
This includes the creation of an electronic
simply point and click, and see a contract,
54
experience of building passive solar homes
“Being based in the North East our primary
“We submit that information (which
in this energy package to ensure they have
pictures, anything at all that relates to the
concern is heating more than cooling, and
been done according to plan. If not, we can
house or development, and that has been
we work on several techniques on how the
rectify it at this stage, before the house is
excellent just in itself,” said Ralph.
houses are built and assembled, and our
sheetrocked.
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“Finally, when the home is finished, they come in and do a final check and thorough inspection. They give us a report that tells us how the house performs, and typically it’s better than what was originally planned. We take real pride in being able to hand that document to our customers, and show them the results. We spend extra money to do this, but we think it’s well worth it.” Further innovations that are part of the Corbo DNA include integrating technology
I still get up every morning and I am just enthused about what is the day going to bring. I am always reading, designing or creating, and looking ahead to what’s happening in the future, and I think that customers can tell that we aren’t just going through the motions – this is truly a vocation and that our enthusiasm is infectious
into the home. The Group has been doing this for the past 15 years, again under Colin’s
to. “Our ability to do this is not typical for
influence, and as Ralph explained, its abilities
most homebuilders, but is part of how we are
here set it apart. “We want to make our homes
always looking for another useful, simple thing
thorough cleaning by a professional cleaning
technology-friendly, and for many years we
we can do for the end user in an easy way.”
company and we do not allow our customers
have been using structured cables in our
subcontractors like it, too. “Once the home is completed, it gets a
to take occupancy until two or three days
projects to enable this. Structured cable has
Digital solutions
after the final clean. Again, this causes a little
multiple cables inside, for uses such as video,
Having raised the topic of Covid-19, Ralph
bit of time consumption, but we are very
audio and internet in a single bundle. It allows
went onto give more details about the
concerned about what we are delivering, we
multiple things to happen inside that cable
changes Corbo made to its operations in
always want to make our customer happy and
and it means there is no pulling the house
order to keep projects on track as safely
that encompasses every aspect – from good
apart, or cutting the dry wall for installations -
as possible. “We introduced these policies
quality design and construction work, to how
whatever use the client wants it’s there.
in Spring 2020, with a major change only
the people and players involved have been
allowing one subcontractor in the home at
managed.”
“We also joined the Custom Electronics,
Corbo also benefited from the fact that
Design and Installation Association (CEDIA)
a time, and leaving a day or two in between
many years ago, and they do a lot around
crews. Usually you would have the HVAC,
it already had so many digital operational
home theatres and whole house technology.
plumbers and electricians all inside the house
solutions in place, as when the virus struck,
We have now done several home theatres in
working around each other, each one doing
the Group was able to quickly adopt Zoom
our projects.” Furthermore, with the advent
their own task. This new approach costs us
meetings and be able to discuss projects
of Covid-19 and people using their houses
money and slows us down, but we haven’t
online with customers, sharing files and
in different ways, Corbo’s approach offers
had anybody sick, and nor have there been
showing them pictures and documents in real
customers flexibility to change as they need
any incidents on any of our jobs. I think the
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THE CORBO GROUP
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that Colin innovated and brought in, we
these in another community, two of which
would have been fumbling like a lot of other
are already spoken for. We also work with
that Ralph demands from all Corbo builds, the
people,” agreed Ralph.
individuals who already own a site, working
company has been the recipient of numerous
with them on their design and with the
awards over the years, including multiple
innovative approach to technology, especially
architects. I would say that we do a lot of
HOBI Awards, given by the Connecticut Home
the flexibility that it brings to their working
design and build and that has been a strong
Builders’ Association. This year, Ralph is hoping
life. “Colin has created a system that allows
point, with a good success rate.
another of his projects receives a HOBI Award,
Corbo’s office staff also appreciate its
remote access to home offices, so if we have
“The other specialty we have developed
Unsurprisingly, given the level of excellence
as it was particularly significant to him. “The
a bad weather day or a situation arises, our
over the last five years is doing lake front
last house we did on the lake was a secondary
key people can access their work through a
properties at a private lake front community
home for a home builder from Florida,” he
supplied laptop from their home,” explained
in Connecticut,” he added. Corbo is now
said. “It was a real honor to be the builder for
Ralph. “I don’t mind if they are inputting
working on its fifth home on that private
a builder (the client owns Brista Homes) and
invoices at 10pm because that suits their
community, and this involves liaising with the
he was able to bring a lot to the development.
schedule - maybe they are doing it in their
power company that owns the lake, as well
The home came out beautifully, and they are
PJs, who knows!” Ralph also likes to get his
as working in an environmentally-sensitive
very happy with it. I’ve built for little guys and
staff’s opinion on projects, as a lay person’s
area with an existing community. “We have
big guys but building for another builder - I
perspective can highlight an issue that
developed a very good rapport with both
am very proud of that.”
perhaps someone with more construction
the community and the power company, and
expertise wouldn’t consider. “I think they like
we have the required expertise to create a
generally fall into the luxury, high-end
knowing there is something more to their
lakeside property that not everybody can do. I
category, and Ralph noted that, particularly
job than admin, and I like to show my staff
would say that being a complete builder from
with the lakefront properties, they are usually
they are valued, not just with a good salary
concept to the completion is our niche.”
second homes, and this means the buyers
The beautiful properties created by Corbo
and benefits but with a friendly atmosphere, periodic lunch meetings and conversations about topics other than work. We want everyone to like us and work with us, while always doing a great a job and a keeping their goals in mind.”
Concept to completion Having introduced MHB to the operations at The Corbo Group, Ralph directed the conversation to the areas of construction where it applies its expertise, which extends across several areas of the residential home market. “When you look at a finished home, you don’t always appreciate the many, many stages it has gone through to get there,” he said. “One area where we excel is that we start at the very beginning as real estate developers - we can identify large pieces of land and take them through the complete process of creating individual building home sites. That is a very arduous process, with a lot of risk and different elements, but we have experience in doing this and have nearly finished our latest development. This has taken us three years to do an 11 plot sub division in one of our local communities. We are finishing house number ten which has sold, and next we are going to start house number 11 on spec to complete that project. “We also buy individual home sites,” he continued. “We recently purchased three of MODERNHB.COM
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THE CORBO GROUP company ethos, and its eternal dedication to innovation. Now in his 74th year, Ralph’s curiosity about upcoming trends and his willingness to try new techniques and technologies remains as strong as ever, and these traits are also shared by Colin. Ralph noted this has to be balanced with an appreciation for the market and what will work for a Connecticut buyer. “Our marketplace is a little bit traditional, so we try and input a little bit of ‘trendy’ design, but in a way that is compatible with our demographic. Our buyers still want dining rooms for traditional celebrations, for example, so we have to always bear that in mind.” From speaking to Ralph, it is clear why The Corbo Group has seen the success it has achieved. He remains as enthusiastic about his business and clients as he was when the business was founded, and he maintains an energy to deliver a client’s dream that shared by his team, and ultimately the customer. “I still get up every morning and I am just enthused about what is the day going to bring. I am always reading, designing or creating, and looking ahead to what’s happening in the future, and I think that customers can tell that we aren’t just going through the motions – this is truly a vocation and that our enthusiasm is infectious. Suppliers and contractors also like working have more discretionary income, and a
home buyers’ market, and larger scale home
with us, because we are interested in what
bigger budget, giving Corbo a bigger scope
renovations. “In Connecticut, we are seeing a
they are doing and what they think, and we
for creativity. “That by no means diminishes
boom right now from New York buyers who
are always looking for a better way of doing
our other customers who have two incomes
want to get away from Manhattan and want
something.”
and two children, who of course are looking
to get in a less dense environment. A lot of
for innovation but have to be more budget
those are second home buyers so they are not
company’s focus also reflect his intention
conscious,” he added. “In fact, it is here that
as constricted by budget.
to reduce his role in the active day-to-day
our expertise can help them to meet their
“The other area we are going into is larger
operations of the company, and concentrate
expectations at a cost they can afford. With
scale home renovations. A lot of people love
his own expertise on the financing side, with
the market as it is, with materials costs
the property they currently live in but need
Colin taking on more duties. He mentioned
escalating, it has been a big challenge to
to adapt it – they don’t have $1 million to
that at some point he is ‘going to want to
address rising costs, but we can look at areas
build another house, but they will spend
get a beach chair and a margarita’ – given his
that can be changed – such as swapping a
$400,000 to make this one really great. So, we
drive and dynamism, and his obvious love for
granite kitchen surface for example – so that
are going to be moving over the next couple
what he does, Colin and The Corbo Group will
our customers can manage their budget.”
of years to the home renovation segment
no doubt be keen to keep Ralph’s input into
and we are going to look to hire a project
projects for many years to come. F
True vocation
manager that specializes in that area. We think
Having spoken about ‘middle-of-the-road’
the secondary home and home renovation
sector of the market, Ralph noted that as
markets will give us more flexibility to deal
part of a new strategy that is currently being
with market changes.”
formulated by himself and Colin, The Corbo
58
The changes that Ralph mentioned to the
While changes may be afoot for the
Group will see a change of direction in the
direction of Corbo, what will remain at the
future, shifting more focus onto the secondary
center of its operations is a strong, family-
MODERNHB.COM
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