Affordable Million Dollar Details

At the International Builders Show last week, Dominick gave a presentation for the NAHB regarding "Affordable Million Dollar Details." The following is a summary of some of the important topics he presented about.

2010 Trends from Entrepreneur Magazine: sustainability, buying local, decreased consumer spending, growing number of entrepreneurs, alcohol beverage industry growing, and pet supplies industry also growing.

So, what does this mean in terms of the architectural / housing market?

Today's buyers are no longer looking for the 'McMansions' that were built a decade ago. Families want smaller homes that are easier to maintain, less expensive to operate, with less formal spaces and more flexible spaces, such as computer stations, mud rooms, second floor laundry, costco rooms, and hobby rooms. They want a floor plan designed to complement their lifestyle and increase family interaction. A home with quality design features and sustainable, healthy products. They want to entertain friends inside their home through bar areas, butlers pantries, and media rooms. They want to use outdoor living spaces for entertainment, as well as a place to relax and rejuvenate from a busy lifestyle. And they want all these things at an affordable price.

How can builders achieve a quality product like this in an affordable price range?

The Classic Yacht Villas: DTA designed a plan portfolio recently that is geared specifically to this type of market. This portfolio, called the Classic Yacht Series, was created based on an analysis of Yachts and how they incorporate unmatched luxury and quality into very small spaces.

Case Study Examples: Dominick discussed three DTA case study examples and showed a variety of building materials on these projects, which we commonly specify on many of our homes. These products are high quality, affordable alternatives to the much more expensive products that are available. Not only are these products affordable, but many are also healthy and sustainable. These products ranged from exterior stone, to interior plaster in lieu of paint, to indoor energy monitoring systems, to proper insulation materials, to affordable, pre-fabricated kitchens.

Outdoor Living Has Become a Standard: Does your product feature outdoor living? Today's buyers now expect it when purchasing a new home. Dominick showed examples of outdoor spaces we have created, in a variety of climates, and at a range of price points. In a special feature of his presentation this year, Dominick did a step-by-step example of how to create the ultimate outdoor living space, with affordable product options and pricing information.

For information about any of the topics in Dominick's presentation, or to receive a copy of the powerpoint to review, please give us a call at (248) 335-8888 or e-mail JamieQ@DTArchitects.com

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

The Affordable Outdoor Space - DTA and Woodland Direct at IBS

Dominick Tringali just finished his 2010 International Builders' Show speech in Las Vegas. During the speech he discussed the 2010 trend towards bringing interesting and comfortable interior spaces to the outdoor living areas. The Affordable Outdoor Living space is exactly what the new home buyer demands. Using the right architect, builder, and supplier, the new homeowner can save $1,000's of dollars on their Outdoor Living Space.

Dominick also announced a new partnership with Woodland Direct to offer builders and homeowners the opportunity to see what great custom design and affordability can bring to an Outdoor Living space. Visit the Dominick Tringali/Woodland Direct IBS web page to sign up to win an Outdoor Firepit.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm
specializing in lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit http://www.dtarchitects.com/ or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com/.

DTA's Favorite New Products at the 2010 International Builders Show

Hurd Windows & Doors H3TM Casement: This product features energy efficiency ratings which rival the industry’s premium-priced window products. The H3 can save you 15-20 percent on the cost of windows, even with an Energy Star® rating of .31 U which far exceeds the current standard of .35 U.

Dow Building Solutions FROTH PAK™ Spray Insulation: FROTH PAK™ is a two-component polyurethane spray foam that comes in both portable kits and refillable tanks. It is available in multiple densities and is ideal as an insulator or air-sealant.

Clopay's Avante Garage Door Collection: A cost effective solution for glass panel garage doors and built with solid construction. It is a better value to spend a little more on insulated glass because the frame has no thermal break, which would allow heat to transfer through to the garage anyway. Regardless, this is a great product for a transitional or contemporary residence.

Bellawood Solid Hardwood Flooring by Lumber Liquidators: This is a very durable and cost effective flooring product which comes with a 50 year warranty.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

Hurd Window's New H3 Casement Saves 15-20%, w/ Better Performance!

We stopped by the Hurd Windows and Doors booth this afternoon at the Builders Show and spent some time learning about Hurd's new H3 window casement. This product features energy efficiency ratings which rival the industry’s premium-priced window products. The H3 can save 15-20 percent on the total cost of windows, even with an Energy Star® rating of .31 U which far exceeds the current standard of .35 U. The H3 will also exceed a more stringent Energy Star standard of .32 U that will be implemented in April.

The window’s energy-efficient design is attributed to a number of factors, including a vinyl base frame, fully-sealed corners, a solid wood interior and high-end weather stripping. The efficient base design even allows for the use of extra thick extruded aluminum cladding. Hurd’s exclusive Fusion Technology TM locks it all together to ensure superior energy performance. The H3 also comes standard with Hurd’s ComfortGlazeTM Low-E, double strength glass.



Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

Int'l Builders Show - AIA Design Review

AIA Design Review at the International Builders Show is going well. The DTA Design Team is working on smaller, more efficient homes that reflect the 'female home buyers' needs. This type of buyer is expecting bigger mud rooms, built in benches and lockers, and more storage space, all with added curb appeal. Builders looking to update their plans are leaving the AIA Review with great ideas to make their products more marketable in today's environment - all thanks to the DTA Design Team.

DTA's Revival Series 2010 also meets the criteria for the 2010 buyer. The plans are proving to be a success story for all buyers who purchase and market these plans. Visit our web site to see the three plan series.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit http://www.dtarchitects.com/ or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com/.

Dow Building Solutions FROTH PAK™ Insulation Spray

The Dominick Tringali Architects design team will be blogging live from the International Builders Show throughout the week of the International Builders Show, keeping you updated on innovative design trends and new, sustainable building products.

One product we are especially interested in so far today is Dow's FROTH PAK™ Spray Insulation. FROTH PAK™ is a two-component polyurethane spray foam that comes in both portable kits and refillable tanks. It is available in multiple densities and is ideal as an insulator or air-sealant.

For more information about the FROTH PAK™ insulative spray, visit our website at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

Official Grand Opening of the 2010 International Builders Show Today!

Today marks the grand opening of the 2010 International Builders Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show floor opens at 9:00 this morning (Pacific Time) to provide ideas and inspiration for hundreds of thousands of people in the building industry.

The Dominick Tringali Architects design team will kick off the grand opening with a presentation at the Dow Building Solutions booth on the show floor. J.R. Ruthig will be discussing 'From Affordable to Million Dollar Green.' From 3:00 to 5:00 pm this afternoon, the Design Team will be providing complimentary plan reviews for builders on the second floor of the Dow booth. To sign up for your own complimentary plan review session this week, visit www.DowatIBS.com.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

2009 Green Builder Magazine "Green Home of the Year Awards"

Dominick Tringali Architects is proud to announce that its Affordable Green Home plan was selected as one of four in the nation to receive the pretigious Home of the Year award from Green Builder Magazine.

The home was originally designed for Habitat for Humanity as a prototype home and is built in Pontiac, Michigan. The 1,750 square foot home was designed to be sustainable, accomodate a family of ten, and be priced for under $100,000. The design is projected to lower average utility costs by up to 50% on an annual basis. The design also lended itself to efficient use of resources and labor costs in order to keep the price low and to keep waste down.

Look for the Dominick Tringali Green Team at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, this week. They will be at the Dow Building Solutions Booth reviewing your plans and suggesting ways to green your product on a budget. The Team will also be using their expertise to assist builders with their plans in the AIA Plan review sections. Look for them there.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.

Only 5 Days Left Until the 2010 International Builders Show!

DTA's Design Team is busy this week, preparing for the Builders Show! If you are attending this year, here are some unique events we are participating in:

We will be giving a daily presentation at the Dow Building Solutions Booth on the Show Floor, titled "Affordable to Million Dollar Green." We will be showcasing through case study examples how to effectively build a green home, from a $100,000 budget, to a home on a million dollar budget.

We are offering a complimentary one-on-one 'Green Plan Review' workshop for builders from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm daily on the second level of the Dow Building Solutions Booth. Our design team will review your plans and suggest ways to green your product on a budget. To sign up for a session, visit http://building.dow.com/events/tradeshows/ibs.htm?DCSext.dbs=www.dowatibs.com

DTA and Dow will also be giving away a set of our award winning 'Affordable Green Home' plan four times per day during the week of the show.

Dominick will also be presenting about "Affordable Million Dollar Details" again this year for the NAHB. This seminar will be held on Thursday, January 21 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm in South 233.

Lastly, our design team will be providing complimentary plan reviews at the A.I.A. Plan Review Workshop. Tuesday 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am -12:00pm, and Thursday 1:00pm - 4:00 pm in Central Hall 2, Booth C1755.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.