homes & estates

&EstatesHomesvol. 3, issue 4

People Newspapers

Take a look at some of the Dallas homes that green built [p. 12-16]

StylishlyInside

Get your facts straight

[p. 10]

DONALD ASHLEYSenior Vice President

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Associates picturedleft to right...Dana RiggJudy CollinsAlma Alden

Ralph RandallRonda NeedhamCourtney JubinskyBeverly MorrisBetty Godwin

4085 HANOVER . $585,000Judy Collins . 972.380.7741

5535 CARUTH . $724,000Diane Gruber . 214.797.8129

6300 LAKESHORE . $675,000Judy Collins . 972.380.7741

SOLD: 4200 BORDEAUX, LISTED AT $6,995,000 SOLD: 5515 YOLANDA, LISTED AT $2,595,000

THESE TWO PREMIUM PROPERTIES SOLD BY DIANE GRUBER

RITZ CARLTON, #1503 . $1,365,000Dana Rigg . 972.733.5219

5532 WEATHERBY . $1,024,900Alma Alden . 972.407.2546

4676 LORRAINE . $950,000Betty Godwin . 972.380.7834

7419 MARQUETTE . $775,000Beverly Morris . 972.733.9612

6608 FOREST CREEK . $2,795,000Ralph Randall . 214.217.3511

6202 MIMOSA . $2,450,000Ralph Randall . 214.217.3511

10011 LENNOX . $1,295,000Diane Gruber . 214.797.8129

3248 HANOVER . $1,425,000Courtney Jubinsky . 972.381.6997

1.45 acre lot with Mid-CenturyModern home. Priced for lot value.

3651 ASBURY . $759,900Ronda Needham . 972.380.7710

An Ebby Halliday Company214.369.6000214.526.6600 www.daveperrymil ler.com

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5515 Amherst AvenueDevonshire$975,0004 bed, 4.1 bath, 3974 sq. ft., 50’x150’ lot,2 car garage

GreenBuilt North Texas Certifi ed Home

815 King Leonard DriveLake Cypress Springs

$735,0004 bed, 3 bath, 2651 sq. ft.,

2 stall boathouse, 164’ water frontage,amazing lake views

Contact Les Owens for more information:cell: 214.676.4119 email: [email protected]

5515 Amherst AvenueDevonshire$975,0004 bed, 4.1 bath, 3974 sq. ft., 2 car garage

GreenBuilt North Texas Certifi ed Home

815 King Leonard Drive

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In Each Issue:

Features:

The Tomorrow HouseOne family focuses on its future

Looks Can Be DeceivingWho knew sustainable could look so traditional?

COVER PHOTO: CHRISTINA BARANY. From the solar shades over the windows to the bam-boo floors, this Preston Hollow home is the perfect oasis for the homeowners and for Earth. All flowers provided by Dr Delphinium Designs & Events.

Most homeowners are proud of their homes. They’ll show you all the little details and highlight all the special touches. But I recently discovered that green (or the more formal term “sustain-

able”) homeowners are really proud of their homes. And they should be.

These homeowners have taken the time and money to create a habitat

that will enhance the future. They’ve researched every innovative product and are more than willing to share.

Walk through an early built green home (p. 16), peruse an unassum-ing eco-friendly home (p. 14), and see how the same approach can lead to a vastly different product (p. 12). Then consider going green yourself. If nothing else, Earth will thank you. And it’ll give you something to talk about.

from the editor

Five Featured Estates Great homes on the market

8

Au Courant Reusing and recycling become attractive again

6

Shades of Green Homeowners discover what works for them

12

Green Facts Worth KnowingGet the breakdown of all things sustainable in your area

10

14

16

EdITORIAlPublisher

Jennifer Erwin

Art DirectorAmy C. Curry

EditorsKrista Nightengale

Dan Koller

ContributorsKaren Eubank

Ashley HindermanAnaka Johnston

Emily Toman

PhotographersChristina Barany Chris McGathey

AdVERTISINg Senior Marketing Consultants

Kim HurmisKate Martin

Celia K. WeitzelMarketing Consultants

Geraldine GalentreeJamie Merendino

Lucy NealAdvertising Services Manager

Cherice TatumAdvertising Art Director

Kate Mitchell

contentsHOMES & ESTATES | SEPTEMBER 200912

KRISTA NIGHTENGALE

4 | sEpTEMBEr 2009 HOMEs & EsTATEs pEOpLENEWspApErs.COM

4311 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, TX 75219214-739-2244

fine designVintage blue coffee table from Uptown Country, $250 6

2820 Dyer $1,049,0004/4.1/Fmls/Family/Library/Game/2 Car

MARY LOU MERCER972.380.7754

6 0 2 5 L u t h e r L a n e • D a l l a s , T e x a s 7 5 2 2 5w w w . e l l e n t e r y . c o m

3613 Euclid $2,950,000Beautiful Lot in Prime Location!

EILEEN HUDNALL972.380.7803

6505 Golf $1,795,0004/3.2/Dining/Family/Study/Game/2 Car


3612 Haynie $1,560,0004/3.2/Fmls/Den/Study/Media-Gm/2 Car/Pool


Residences $3,990,000-$665,0005000-1400 sq ft / Leases $10K-$5,300/mo.

SHARON QUIST972.988.6338

10647 Strait Lane $7,950,0002006 Estate, 5/7/3LA/Cabana/Pool/Tennis/4 Car

LYNN GARDNER COLLINS972.380.7725

AN EBBY HALLIDAY COMPANY

Ellen Terry, RealtorsClassic Service. Proven Results.

7040 Vasaar $3,900,0005/4.1/Fmls/Lib/Snrm/.86± ac/Volk Estates


6528 Westgate $ 1,419,0885/4.2/3 Living/Study/Media/Pool/3 Car/.6± ac


5811 Orchid $299,900 Great Opportunity! Half Duplex-2/2/Move-in Ready

JUDY STEINBERG972.733.5090

2525 Turtle Creek #510C $319,900 Fab. Updated 3/2.1/2 Living/2 Car/2600±sf


2+ ACRES

.5+ ACRE LOT

3417 Lovers $630,0003/3/Fmls/Study/2 Car/Tri-Level Condo


RiTz-CARLTOn

nORTHWOOD HiLLS PRiVATE LAKE

DOUBLE UniT

SOLD

SOLD SOLD

6331 Turner Way $1,399,0005/5/Dining/Family/Stdy/Game/Media/Pool

JUDY STEINBERG972.733.5090

–

–

around town

Au Courantby ASHLEY HINDERMAN | photography by CHRIS MCGATHEY

Uptown Country: Where going green has never looked so fashionable


EVERY TImE YOUR HUSBANd SITS ON HIS dilapidated recliner, you cringe. But instead of hauling it to the Dumpster, take it to Jenny Grumbles, owner of Uptown Country in Snider Plaza. She can give any recliner (yes, even your husband’s) a one-of-a-kind make-over by reusing and refurbishing.

Grumbles launched her cottage furni-ture boutique in San Diego in 2004. Three years ago, she traveled back to Dallas with her desire to help others leave a smaller footprint.

Grumbles and her mother, Fran Holley, share innovative ideas and paintbrushes in

the back of their store to turn rustic, recy-cled items into luxurious vintage pieces.

“One man’s trash is another one’s trea-sure,” said Grumbles when she noticed me eyeing a stylishly revamped light-blue hutch, which I later discovered they sal-vaged on the side of the road.

There are many amazing finds to be had while wandering through Uptown Country, including one of Holley’s own customized pieces of furniture, which she calls “Frantiques.” She can repaint a wine rack or modernize a blue chandelier, mak-ing them whimsical pieces.

Another great piece is a white desk that artist Weldon McKenzie found and then proceeded to paint the Dallas map on each drawer.

“We can turn anything into shabby chic,” Grumbles said.

Whether you are looking for renovated wood pieces, revived vintage furniture, or creative wall décor, this boutique promises to have your next greatest treasure. v

UPTOwN COUNTRYuptowncountryhome.com

3419 Milton Ave. | 877-232-2042

this LittLe Light of mineCottage blue lamp, $60

sitting PrettyAqua vintage chair (set of four), $340

aLL dressed uPTurquoise French provincial dresser, $248

find your wayDesk with Dallas map, $375

sweet dreamsAntique full bed, $750

Louisa white pillows, $44

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pEOpLENEWspApErs.COM HOMEs & EsTATEs sEpTEMBEr 2009 | 7

By ANAKA JOHNSTON

five featured estates

1154 N. ClINTON AVE., OAk ClIff$450,000 — 3 bedrooms, 2 baths

Built in 1925 and located in the attractive Kessler Square neighborhood, this Tudor-style home exhibits true character and class. Red flowers line the sidewalk, and a red brick exterior and arched doorway lead into a space at once intimate and warm. Original hardwood floors throughout and herringboned-tiled baths add to the appeal of this charming house. Other unique details

include an original crystal chandelier, a telephone- alcove in the hallway, and transom and stained-glass windows.

With Viking appliances and granite counters, the kitchen is updated for modern living and separates the formal and informal living areas. A stone fireplace adds radiance to the family room, and French doors lead out to an English-style garden, sure to offer refuge after a long day and a perfect setting for sipping coffee in the beginning of a new one. v

11 mIlfORd PlACE, dOwNS Of HIllCREST $1.25 million — 4 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 2 half baths

Bricked streets, surrounded by a beautifully land-

scaped community, lead to this spacious home. The stucco exterior and tiled roof are reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, and the beautifully designed French doors welcome you into a grand entry with soaring, angled ceilings and a stunning chandelier. Light spills

in from floor-to-ceiling windows, and hardwood floors are perfectly balanced by rich carpeting. Most notable is the open-air space — the expansive kitchen is joined by the family room, both looking out upon the refreshing pool, a design perfect for entertaining or family time. A curved stairway leads to a third living area, surrounded by glass-blocked windows and a wrap-around balcony, providing further opportunity for retreat in this family home that offers year-round vacation living.

4728 CROOkEd lANE, PRESTON HOllOw $1.395 million — 4 bedrooms, 3 baths

Beginning with a walkway of limestone stepping stones

integrated with crushed granite and lush lawn, this home resonates with Zen-like tranquility — from the white stone façade, through the seamless interior, and out to the lagoon-style pool, all of which is covered by a canopy of trees. Upon entering through a private courtyard, clean, sleek lines lead you through this spacious, yet intimate

house. Customized cabinets of rift-cut white oak, raised ceilings, and exceptional use of natural and interior light-ing further contribute to the peacefulness of this home. Wide windows welcome nature into the living areas and provide views of an inviting backyard. Clay walls further yield a feeling of serenity, and the master suite offers an additional relaxing escape with its spa-like shower and integrated step-down bath. This sophisticated home is never overstated and offers grand living in a personal nirvana.

listing agent: Douglas Newby, Douglas Newby & Associates

listing agent: Jini Cyr, Coldwell Banker

listing agent: David Griffin, David Griffin & Company

listing agent: Brett Gray, Dave Perry-Miller & Associates

listing agent: Steve Habgood, Hewitt & Habgood

10240 gAYwOOd ROAd, mAYflOwER ESTATES$6.075 million — 5 bedrooms, 8 full baths, 2 half baths

Designed by renowned architect Scott Lyons and

located in a prestigious neighborhood of few homes, this 9,800 square foot majestic estate is an exemplary example of Texas modernism. The subtle exterior blends with the landscape, giving the homeowner a utopian dwelling that recedes from view of passersby yet offers magnificent living

within. Features such as a hand-carved wood screen in the entry and geometrically vaulted ceilings throughout cre-ate a stately interior balanced by well-placed lighting and large windows. A step-down den with a full bar has spec-tacular views of 2.63 acres and a private lake. The grounds are beautiful, with a large, tempting pool, a 3,800-square-foot guest home, and a creek bordering the entire backyard. Guests will linger in this home and will surely be envious of the family that resides here.

3515 w. lAwTHER dRIVE, lAkEwOOd$4.895 million — 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 4 half baths

Pulling around the circular driveway of this striking estate, one can only be awed by the splendor of this home and the stunning views of White Rock Lake. Exquisitely designed, nearly every room offers breathtaking panora-mas of scenery as does the glassed entry, extending from the wide-planked hickory floorboards to the high, vaulted ceilings. A loggia in front lends a vision of an outdoor dinner

party enjoying the sunset over the lake, and an abundant backyard offers a private retreat. The interior is a perfect balance of open and private spaces with a style that effort-lessly merges Tuscan, Santa Barbara, and Mediterranean attributes to yield a truly unique home. Features such as tiny, vaulted windows along the upstairs hallways and beamed ceilings in rooms downstairs further set this home apart from others. Falling in love with this estate will be easy for any buyer; the difficult part, however, would be willing one’s self to ever leave home.

CO

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Take a Stroll Around Your New HomeLet us guide you through a few of the best houses our fair Dallas has to offer

© 2009. Equal Housing Opportunity.

430 Churchill Lane, Lake TexomaLake Texoma showplace estate situated high on a bluff. Outdoor living areas with cabana kitchen, infinity salt-water pool, lighted waterfalls, fountain and breathtaking panoramic views. Resort-Living year round!$995,000 / Lou Nettle 214-912-4556

4670 Christopher Place, DallasTotally remodeled in 2008, this three story townhome exempli-fies the best of quality design! Perfect for those who enjoy entertaining and have an exquisite design sensibility. $1,150,000 / Kay Weeks 972-733-5159

2625 Sir Gawain Lane, LewisvilleLike No Other! Custom home located in sought after golf community featuring tennis, bike trails, private lakes, parks, pools and stunning surroundings! 5bdrm/4bath/Game/Media/Pool/3Car/Plus Yard. $719,900 / Pam Boronski 972-841-7051

5613 Banister Court, PlanoGated Estate in Willow Bend Country with spectacular features. Resort-like address with pool, spa, theatre, pavilion, guest house, steam bath and gym.$4,995,000 / Geri Cook-Lenahan 214-682-9108

6641 Northwood, DallasStunning custom home in prestigious Preston Hills neighborhood. Built in ‘05, this home features 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, study, 3 liv-ing areas and media room. Quality and character set this one apart!

$1,495,000 / Christy-Norcross-Thomas 214-538-3390

7801 CR 225, BrownwoodStately colonial home with all the right features for a quiet retreat setting on over 300 acres. 6 bedroom, 6.2 bath, 4 car garage.$3,000,000 / Laura Crowl 214-914-6636

9729 Van Dyke Road, Lake HighlandsDare to be different in this mid-century modern with unprec-edented views of White Rock Lake & Downtown. 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths. www.9729vandyke.com.$1,170,000 /Gene Garramone 214-536-9501

2437 Worthington Street, State ThomasSpectacular executive townhouse in the heart of State Thomas with secluded entry. Open floor plan, beautiful hardwoods, huge granite kitchen and private elevator. $699,900 / Cary Norton 214-704-2705

5005 Copperhill Circle, ParkerLuxurious country living minutes from “everything”! 1.6 sprinklered acres, 5/3/4 with all the bells & whistles and coveted Allen ISD!$699,000 / Ann Stewart 972-979-9606

925 S. Pearl, GranburyPrime Granbury Lake waterfront property! 4.3 + acres with over 800 ft. of waterfront, zoned commercial. Located next to 16 acre high end retirement center and Granbury Conference Center.$3,100,000 / Laura Crowl 214-914-6636

101 Diamond Point #3S, DenisonLake Texoma condo! Lake view, 3/2/2 with 3 balconies, furnished, tramway will take you to your private boat slip, extra storage room for all your water toys.$439,000 / Marilyn Williams 903-870-4752

349 El Dorado, Lake Cypress SpringsThe Bridge House – a magnificent contemporary built over a live creek. Walls of glass seamlessly merge the indoors with the out-doors. Includes a boathouse with entertainment area on upper deck.$795,000 / Linda Jordan Hobbs 972-380-7669


Dallas Gears Up in Order To Go Green

in April of last year, the city of Dallas passed an ordinance aimed at reducing energy and water con-sumption in new houses and com-mercial buildings. On Oct. 1, home-

builders are required to construct their homes to be 15 percent more efficient than the base energy code and meet at least four of the six high-efficiency water-reduction strategies. Applicants will mark which requirements their homes meet on a city-issued checklist. Then inspectors will verify whether or not these items are being met during construction.

In 2011, the second phase will go into effect. Among other requirements, this portion of the ordinance will require homes to meet LEED or Green Built North Texas standards.

To learn more, visit greendallas.net.

green facts green FACTs WOrTH KNOWiNG

Brush up on how eco-friendly the Dallas area is in 2009By EMILY TOMAN

Sources: Greenbuiltnorthtexas.com; usgbc.org; energystar.gov;geothermal-heat-pump-resource.org; andPhil Crone, director of green building programs for the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas

while builders have been constructing green homes for several years, Green Built North Texas registered its first house in August 2006 in Denton shortly after the program’s inception. The first Green Built home in North Dallas came in April 2008. The program started by the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas has now expanded statewide as Green Built Texas.

mORE fACTSAccording to the U.S. Department

of Energy, buildings use more energy than any other economic sector, in-cluding trans portation.

While Americans spend most of their time indoors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air quality can sometimes be two to five times worse than the air outside.

gEOTHERmAl HEATINg COSTS:For a 9,000-square-foot home, a geothermal heat

pump system costs $45,000 to $60,000. It costs about $3,000 more per ton compared to a regular air-to-air heat pump. But the average user saves about 30 percent on electric bills. A geothermal heat pump system lasts up to 22 years.

ENERgY EffICIENT lIgHT BUlBS:One compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) uses up to

75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and lasts 10 times longer. Leaving a CFL bulb on for at least 15 minutes at a time saves more energy than quickly switching it on and off. But there is a greater initial cost. An Energy Smart GE 23-watt three-pack of bulbs at Wal-Mart costs $9.23 whereas a four-pack of Reveal GE bulbs with an equivalent wattage costs $2.50. v

Neighborhood

Completed Under

Construction

Park Cities

Oak Cliff

Preston Hollow

No. of Homes

lakewood 17 3

4

1

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2

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2

west Plano

lake Highlands

4

1

1

2

Green Built Homes

gREEN BUIlT TExAS VS. lEEd CERTIfIEdgreen Built Texas:Local home builders and industry supporters pro-

mote residential homes with higher performance and a lower environmental impact. Monitored by the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, the pro-gram’s construction protocol includes higher stan-dards for waste recycling, water efficiency, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, materials, and homeowner education.

leadership in Energy and Environmental design (lEEd):The internationally recognized green build-

ing certification system involves the Green Building Certification Institute, which verifies strategies used to conserve water and energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and improve indoor air quality. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED can apply to commercial and residential buildings. Green Built Texas recognizes LEED-certified homes.

Both Green Built Texas and LEED use a third-party verification system.

SOLD

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personality. Revel in your surroundings. Your home becomes you.

to Reach Ralph call 214 217 3511 oR emaIl ralph@daveperrymiller .com

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styLishLy sustainabLe


Two similar houses sit on two very different yards in Preston Hollow. Both were built green. Both are considered Texas regional

modern. Both slow down water runoff, use durable flooring, and have Rumford fireplaces.

But the similarities stop there. Although both homes were designed by architect Stephen Chambers, they are as different as night and day.

But they both are perfect matches with their homeowners.

“I think they have a completely differ-ent feel,” Chambers said. “I think they’re both really ... appropriate for the client.”

For Susan Hawkins and her husband Ralph, CEO of the HKS architecture firm, it was important to build a home that pro-vided a better future. But they also wanted a home that would meet all their needs.

Although a basic idea of green building is to reuse, the Hawkins said the lot’s previous home just could not be saved. But one of the reasons they bought the land was for the large, mature trees. The Hawkins wanted to save as many as possible, so they built their home in the same footsteps as the pre-vious structure. And although xeriscaping is expected of green homes, the Hawkins’ front and backyards are full of lush grass and plants. But the yard is designed to keep water from running off quickly.

“Part of the idea with sustainable design is [to] not do things that overtax the infra-structure of the city,” Chambers said. “If we can let the water run off the site, but not let it run off as fast as it would if it were paved, then we’re saving the city of Dallas from having to improve their infrastructure.”

And then there’s the fireplace. “Let me tell you, that’s not completely

sustainable,” said Ralph Hawkins, who has his LEED certification. “[But] I like it when you get a big, roaring fire.”

The floors in the house are made of

bamboo, boiled for a deeper color. The wall separating the formal area from the living areas is made of stones found in the panhandle of Texas. And the house is all about the natural lighting.

The couple thought perhaps the house could be LEED certified. The commis-sion agent said they’d have to change a few things first — including sealing up the fireplace. The couple decided they didn’t need certification. They liked their house as it was: with a good mix of green ele-ments and a few non-green items. Their electric bill is less than $50 a month for the 6,800-square-foot house, and the home is their oasis.

Chambers said the Hawkinses chose their own shade of green, which is how most of his clients build.

“That is something about the green or sus-tainable design — not everybody sees it the same way,” Chambers said. “Certain people have certain priorities. It’s not an ‘everything or nothing’ idea. ... Even if you do a house that can be certified with one program or another, the fact that you use most or any of the ideas is really going to help us.”

Across Inwood Road, a 1,650-gallon galvanized steel cistern and a pond greet guests as they enter a more traditional Texas regional modern home.

by KRISTA NIGHTENGALE | photography by CHRISTINA BARANYof Shades Green

Homeowners pick and choose the elements that make their homes sustainable and livable

Although these homes are both green, had the same architect, and reside only a few blocks from each other, they couldn’t be more different. The home above features a cistern and xeriscaped yard while the home below features floor-to-ceiling windows and a lush lawn. Yet both are perfect depictions of the people who call these structures home.

You don’t have to give up luxury to go green: Both these homes feature

a Rumford fireplace. It’s efficient, but still gives a great fire.

See SHADES, Page 18


Susan and Ralph Hawkins enjoy their back-yard. They tried to build their house around the trees to preserve as many as possible.

Left: Ralph Hawkins said the only thing he doesn’t like about the house is there is no lightswitch at the top of these stairs. He easily resolved the problem by buying a night light. Right: Although a fireplace doesn’t scream green, this Rumford fireplace is more efficient than most.The dining room in the Hawkins’ home overlooks the front yard.

astyLishLy sustainabLe


Anna Clark stopped. She stopped plan-ning for the next vacation. She stopped planning for the new car. She stopped planning for the next “big thing.” She ana-lyzed her priorities and changed her life.

“I had always felt that I wanted to make a difference in some way, particularly with conservation or the environment,” she said. “And yet when I looked at how I lived, it was thoroughly conventional.”

Four years ago, Clark and husband Mike lived in a typical brick home in Lakewood, created by a large production builder. The floor plan was unremarkable, the design unexceptional, and the materials certainly unsustainable. With a baby on the way and a toddler in tow, not to mention Casper, the imposing but extremely hospitable Mastiff, the family needed more space.

Along with growing her family, Clark was growing a new sustainability consult-ing business, Earth People Co., that helps companies implement customized green strategies.

The green building seed took root after Clark participated in a sustainability dis-cussion group.

“I remember thinking, ‘I don’t need a new car right now, but if I can make a differ-ence with my house, maybe we could build green,’ ” she said. “It was the first serious decision we made to reduce our environ-mental footprint in a meaningful way.”

It made sense on a practical basis for Mike Clark.

“If you’re going to build a house, why not build it to last and build it with the utmost level of performance and energy efficiency?” he asked.

During an oil change, Anna Clark read an article about local green builder Alan Hoffmann and thought her company could provide services in harmony with his building ethic. Within a month of their meeting with Hoffmann, the Clarks hired him to build a sustainable home.

Set on a leafy lane in Little Forest Hills, the Clarks’ new home looks like a slice

of Hill Country heaven. Warm chunks of palomino Granbury stone grace the sun-washed stucco. Shutters made on site from rich Western cedar flank the win-dows. A bronze-colored metal roof cov-ers the wide front porch that overlooks a native Texas xeriscaped yard.

It’s not what you’d expect. There are no solar panels or geothermal heat pumps, and it did not cost a fortune to construct; yet this home is LEED certified at the platinum level, meaning the U.S. Green Building Council has recognized this home for attaining the highest benchmark in green design, construction, and opera-tion. It is one of only seven in Texas to receive this certification.

How was it done? “A high-quality building envelope is the

most critical feature to a green home,” Hoffmann said. His trademark is build-ing homes with insulated concrete forms

(ICFs), which are Styrofoam blocks with concrete poured inside them. Think giant Legos — really thick giant Legos.

“It’s a 21st-century way to pour con-crete and create an incredible structure,” Hoffmann said.

A misconception about green building is that it involves a higher technology that does not exist or is cost-prohibitive.

“Thermal mass walls are really pretty low-tech,” he said.

Another important Hoffmann trade-mark is the mechanical room. Rather than installing the HVAC unit in the attic, high efficiency is maintained by keeping the unit insulated inside a small room. The Clarks’ home is just a little more than 3,000 square feet, which would normally require 6 or 7 tons of air conditioning. The

the tomorrow HOUsEBuilding for the future meant reducing and reusing

by KAREN EUBANK | photography by CHRISTINA BARANY

Anna Clark’s home’s thick walls keep the noise outside, even in this room at the entrance.

Alan Hoffman Company: concretehomestore.comEarth People Co.: earthpeopleco.comAnna Clark: annamclark.comgreen, American Style by Anna Clark: amazon.com Release date April 2010

With its xeriscaped yard, metal roof covers, and Western cedar flank shutters, the exterior of Anna Clark’s home sets the tone immediately for a LEED certified house.


building envelope of ICFs and the interior mechanical room allow the home to be heated and cooled with only 2 tons. The ductwork runs through the first and sec-ond floor instead of the attic, which pre-vents further loss of air.

Above all, the house is a home. Despite its incredible energy efficiency, it still feels like a home and looks like a home. Clark has furnished the house in a warm, invit-ing manner with a mixture of traditional, rustic, and contemporary pieces, as well as a few antiques. Whenever possible she will reuse, repurpose, and refurbish old furni-ture rather than buy new. Even the art in the Clark household was purchased on consignment or in support of local artists.

The Clarks did not have to give up high ceilings or a great room to be green. The homes Hoffmann builds look like homes we are all used to seeing, inside and out.

The difference is that he builds for lon-gevity. His motto “building like there is a tomorrow” underscores a core tenet of sustainability: durability not disposability.

Living green agrees with the Clarks. “I’ve always maintained that you don’t

need to be an expert to change the world,” Anna said. “you just have to be willing to do something different.”

Part of that difference for Anna Clark was writing a book (Green, American Style) about ways that Americans are going green and benefiting from it. Slated for an April 2010 release, the book presents a more per-sonal approach to sustainability.

“Living in my green home has changed the way I see the outside world,” Clark said. “I’m not exactly Thoreau at Walden, but I do have a heightened appreciation for the beauty of nature again. It’s like I got my senses back. I can breathe again.” v

A hand-painted lion watches over Ryan Clark as he sleeps in his bedroom.

The window from the staircase shows the thick-ness of the walls of this well-insulated home.

Anna Clark and her son, Ryan, enjoy spending time together in their great room, which sits next to an open kitchen.


About 12 years ago, Katherine Homan and her late husband, Richard, were visiting their son in his Oak Cliff home. Although the elder Homans

still owned the house, their son was occu-pying it while Richard was working on his doctorate at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Looking down over a 30-foot slope, Katherine noted how beautiful the bottom part of their property was. Suddenly, an idea was born.

“It hit me that we could now build our dream house,” she said. “[Our son] could buy the house from us, we subdivide the lot, and we could build our dream house down below.”

When Homan asked her son, Chris, how he felt about being so close to his parents, he jokingly responded with, “I’ve always wanted to look down on my parents.”

So the couple began plotting how to build their dream home. While Katherine

wanted a healthy home where she could harness the sun’s power, Richard wanted to feel he had some control over his environ-ment. The idea of being able to have appli-ances powered through solar panels was exhilarating to the couple. But they didn’t stop there. Those stones on the façade of the house? They’re textured concrete cov-ering structurally insulated panels. That

floor you’re walking on? That’s the origi-nal slab of the house. That carpet? Made from recycled soda bottles. That fireplace? It’s electric, runs off the power produced by the solar panels, and is literally plugged into the wall. But the deceitful home is

exactly what Homan wanted. “My husband and I didn’t want it to be

screaming, ‘I’m green.’ We wanted to mas-querade as a very traditional home,” Homan said. “We wanted it to look like a beautiful home that didn’t have all these green ele-ments.”

Although creating a green home that appears traditional may seem like a hard

task today, it was even more difficult nine years ago. And supervising the project from Lubbock didn’t make it any easier.

So with all these obstacles facing them, the couple called in the help of longtime friend and interior designer Bonnie Starr.

“She was a pioneer,” Homan said of Starr. “She was going into uncharted areas.”

But Starr didn’t hesitate for a second to take on the project.

“Generally, when you think of green houses, you think contemporary, slick, and chrome [and] exposed this and that,” Starr said. “The fact that we had so many old pieces to work with helped.”

By combining pieces from the Homans’ 40 years of marriages (and even a few pieces made by Richard) with solar panel-ing and a 550-gallon rain barrel, the home neatly follows two of green building’s key principles: efficiency and recycling. But it wasn’t all easy. Paint colors were limited. Carpeting patterns were sparse. However, new techniques were being developed every day. John Maddox, of Advanced Surfacing Industries, was able to create various textures on the flooring throughout the first level of the house. The countertops are made from recycled marble and granite

Looks Can Be DeceivingKatherine and Richard Homan created a very traditional, very green home

by KRISTA NIGHTENGALE | photography by CHRISTINA BARANY

Left: While extremely traditional on the outside, Katherine Homan’s home is all green inside. These tubes, part of the geothermal HVAC system, cool and heat Homan’s water.

Below: The photovoltaic panels on Katherine Homan’s roof collect energy, even during overcast days.

styLishLy sustainabLe

My husband and I didn’t want it to be screaming, ‘I’m green.’ We wanted to masquerade as a very traditional home.”

KAtherine homAn


chips. And what about all those wonderful mahogany doors scattered throughout the house? They’re recycled doors from a hotel in Galveston, purchased for $15 apiece.

With the growth of green building in the last few years, Homan said there was really only one thing she’d change about her home if she were to build it today.

“I would use eco-pavers,” she said. “Today, they will make eco-pavers for the driveway that will support the heavy vehic-ular weight. In those days, I could not use this product.”

Regardless, Homan is pretty happy with her home. And so was her husband, who lived there for a year and a half before he passed away. Homan said her husband was always eager to open the door and invite people in. He wanted to show what his house was all about, but never forced any-one to listen.

“That was [something] I think I learned from him, to welcome anyone who wanted to come and see it and to spread the enthu-siasm and the knowledge about how this can work and look,” Homan said. “That was his way of saying, ‘I’m not telling you what to do, but if you want to come see what I did, feel free.’ ”

Homan said the house ended up being everything the couple wanted, and Homan said she loved every minute she got to spend in her dream house with her husband.

“The house just has such a spirit that he left his mark on it,” she said. “It’s a place that I’m happy to just stay the rest of my days.” v

Above: The late Richard Homan enjoyed creating furniture. The desk in his office was made from mahogany-stained railroad ties.

Left: Interior designer Bonnie Starr suggested Katherine and her late husband, Richard, display their antique maps in the dining room.

“At Ralph’s house, we took the topog-raphy and slowed the runoff of the water and made more water be absorbed,” said Chambers, who was also an architect for the second home. “We did the same thing [here], but in this case, it fills the tank instead of running off the topography.”

For the interior of the house, the hom-eowners decided to use pine blocks. Pine, a fast growing, renewable resource, creates a gorgeous design on the floor. Although the open-cell foam insulation, high-efficiency appliances, and low-flow plumbing all speak to the homeowners’ interest in maintaining a sustainable design, one of the most impor-tant features is the front lawn. Complete with a rain chain, the xeriscaped yard has been deemed a National Wildlife Federation habitat. Frogs, ducks, and rare dragonflies call this structure their home. And there’s no need for a lawn mower: The Zoysia grass gets no higher than a few inches. This house is vastly different from its neighbor.

“It’s so much fun working on two totally different houses and getting two totally different looks,” Chambers said.

Sustainable design has become vogue the last few years, and both sets of hom-eowners said it’s something they plan on passing on. For Chambers, building green is nothing new; it’s just good design.

“It’s just the basic way of doing good design, just a thoughtful type of design,” he said.

Even though this good design has the same basic principles, its application can obviously have completely different results, as showcased by these two houses that share the same architect. v

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Architect Stephen Chambers stands by a rain chain. He created two distinct homes for two distinct sets of homeowners.

Above: This Texas regional modern home is reminiscent of a great old farmhouse. Exposed beams and an old dining room table add to the aurora. Below: Lulu plays on the floor made of pine blocks.

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