Building Nevada - February 2004

Nevada’s Homebuilders’ Awards

S.N.H.B.A. + B.A.N.N. = B.E.S.T.

by Betty L. Johnson

There is something about competition that brings out the best in companies. It pushes creativity to new levels and sharpens the imagination, bringing forth excellence.

The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association [SNHBA] and the Builders Association of Northern Nevada [BANN] provide a level playing field for their members to be judged and to compete against the designs of other companies. These competitions, the Homer Awards in Southern Nevada and the BANN-er Awards in the northern portion of the state, are taken very seriously by builders and customers alike.

A Pat on the Back

"The Builders Association feels that our BANN-er awards give recognition to our area and to our builders," said Lori McCleary, spokesperson for BANN. "The competition provides industry-wide pride in building. It also gives our members a night to come out and shine."

John Schroeder, vice president and general manager of Ryder Homes Nevada, Inc., agrees. "While some people put their BANN-er Award achievements into their advertisements, we don’t," he said. "For us, the awards are a morale issue. When we win an award or two, it tells our people that we are good builders and we are recognized for creating a quality product."

From All Angles

Recognition from the awards is coming directly from industry peers. Both associations choose judges from across the country and from different parts of the homebuilding industry. Judging criteria include floor plan design, livability, architectural detail and quality/fit and finish. George Bittoni, president/CEO, Bittoni Homes, Inc., (Worthington, Ohio), explained that generally, three to five judges are appointed from various backgrounds, such as architecture, sales and marketing, interior design, construction or realty. "All aspects of an entry are considered from all angles," he said. "Usually, the judges discuss the entries openly and all will have input from their specific backgrounds. Being a builder, I look at quality of products, installation methods and architectural details such as proportion and scale."

Cindy A. Jez, senior vice president, Tomac Corporation (Midlothian, Virginia), served as a judge for the Homer Awards, bringing both building and interior design experience to the table. "The criteria were very clear to us," said Jez, "but each of us brought our own perspective to the scoring, which was quantitative. I think the most important criteria in our judging were the functionality of the floor plan and the quality of workmanship in the home."

North Versus South

Bittoni has a unique perspective on both the Homer and BANN-er awards, as he served as a judge in both competitions. He notes that Northern and Southern Nevada do have many similarities in style. However, many differences exist, as well. He explains that Las Vegas builders utilize much less grass and smaller landscaped areas, but had more backyard pools. The prices of the homes (close to or more than $1,000,000) were higher in Las Vegas than in Reno, where no homes were entered for awards at the $1,000,000 level. Reno, however, seems to emphasize two-story homes and three-car garages. "It appears Reno is targeting more at young families," he noted.

And the Winner Is

The Homer Awards "Home of the Year" was presented to Pardee Homes for its Plan 4 Model at the Ventana Subdivision. The 3,732-square-foot home includes a rotunda entrance, formal living and dining rooms, a family room off the kitchen and nook, four bedrooms, three bathrooms with a bonus room and three car garage. What was Pardee’s key to a winning design? "Plan 4 is a very livable, flexible plan that fits the lifestyles of many different buyers from families to empty nesters," says Kathy Hilty, marketing manager for Pardee Homes. Judge Cindy Jez noted that the decision was unanimous, as "the quality of the home shone and the attention to detail and design were superb."

Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing, believes Pardee is addressing the needs of a wide range of consumers. She made clear her position that, "Homes are no longer cocoons, they are hubs. Family life is busy and people want spaces to congregate and places to have personal time. That’s why flexibility is key to a successful floor plan. Guest suites that can become second master bedrooms, garages that become studio or workshops, kitchens with space for doing homework that doesn’t take over the dinner table, game rooms for kids, home offices for both mom and dad – the list is long and varied, but people tell us that they want the flexibility to create a home that fits their specific needs. For today’s buyer, one size does not fit all."

Pardee has also worked to create homes that are water-efficient, in response to the community needs. "Southern Nevada families should learn to live responsibly with restrictions in our water supply," said Klif Andrews, Pardee’s vice president of community development. "Pardee’s Vista Verde demonstrates that there are water-saving systems and drought-tolerant plants that are attractive alternatives to sprinklers and lawns."

Spacious Living

In metropolitan areas where land is at a premium, it is important to make every square inch count, and to create an open feel. Michael Adams, vice president sales and marketing, Silverstar Development [Reno] claims the open floor plan of his company’s entry, "Snowcap at Indigo Hills", was what helped the home win Best New Production Home in the category of 1,501 square feet to 2,150 square feet, sales price over $200,000. "That home was 2,100 square feet with a loft, but it feels so much larger."

Adams also attributes the land plan in use at the Somersett subdivision, where the home is located, to the home's success in the contest. "Most of the homes are looking out on common areas or the golf course. It is a very thoughtful land plan, and the landscaping is also excellent. The streets are all curved, and there is a lot of open space."

Silverstar also won the "Best Interior Design" award with "The Starlight". Adams noted that Silverstar’s success in this division must be shared with Catalina Design. The home includes hardwood floors, cherry cabinets and a rich color and texture palette, which has broad market appeal.

"Buyers are becoming very sophisticated," he added. "They know what they like, and since most builders won’t do many structural changes to homes, you have to please the buyers by offering a choice of hardwood or tile, solid surface or granite countertops. They want to put their own personal stamp on the home."

Buyer’s Choice

John Schroeder of Ryder Homes agrees customers want choice, and for this reason, Ryder offers a complete design center in Reno. "We offer quite a range of options," he stated. Schroeder attends trade shows across the country, and does research not only on homebuilding, but on lifestyles, so he can meet the needs of his customers. Ryder’s "Copper Knolls Residence 3" was presented with the BANN-er Award for Best New Production Home from 2,150 square feet to 2,750 square feet, with sales price over $300,000. "That home has a cook top in the island," said Schroeder, "which you don’t see very often." Another example of incorporating new trends in Ryder homes is a two-story home offered at Copper Knolls that includes the option for a wrought-iron stair casing. "We also offer cultured marble and Corian as standard features, with an upgrade to granite," he said. "Shower upgrades, however, tend to be to tile, because you can have so much fun with tile in that area."

"Quality is an overused word," emphasized Bittoni, "and it can be interpreted in various ways. Features and benefits are a smarter consideration. I think production builders who can include special features (crown moldings, built-ins, wrought-iron rails, high ceilings, granite, Corian, three-car garages, multi-use rooms, hardwoods, elaborate showers, more windows, etc.) is making a smart decision. At a minimum they should include these items in their option packages, since a buyer’s choices will vary."

Every Square Inch

As land prices rise and houses must fit on smaller footprint, it becomes more important to utilize the space allotted to its best advantage. Steven Rosenberg and Harry Shull, owners and managing partners of Celebrate Homes, have risen to this challenge. Celebrate garnered top honors in two different size and pricing levels for Best Single Family Detached Home, among other honors.

The Ranier (Plan 1) in North Meadows was designed by Celebrate to utilize maximum square footage without wasted space. Therefore, the Ranier was designed for total family enjoyment without a living room that would forfeit valuable space. "We create new homes that feature innovative use of space and design, while preserving affordability," said Rosenberg. "Our buyers have worked hard to own a piece of the American dream, and it is our responsibility as the builder to create a Celebrate dream home for them."

Times are Changing

Lifestyles are certainly affecting home building. As families become busier, the great room attached to the kitchen area allows parents to cook while helping with homework or enjoying a movie with the family. Many homes now have two master bedrooms, generally with one downstairs to accommodate elderly family members or for use as an at-home office.

Technology is changing the building industry, as well. Home network centers that were once a luxury are being included in more standard packages, and cable and modem outlets in each room are becoming as common as electric outlets. More families are opting for enhanced sound packages for their entertainment rooms, and in turn, wiring packages are increasing in popularity.

Science is also helping to keep homes safe. Insulation for underneath homes, to keep mold from forming in crawl spaces is being developed. Low-E window glass helps keep heat out in the summer, while reducing the fading of fabrics.

Space may be at a premium, but more and more builders are using both front and rear outdoor space to enhance the living area. Cindy Jez felt that, "The most welcome design trend was the creative use of the outdoors as a living space, large patios with arbors and the requisite pool, but with a design flair taken from the home to the exterior in a very unobtrusive manner, so the living space was enlarged. It was also a unique way to eliminate some of the rear landscaping and minimize the water shortages for rear yards."

The Winners Are:

These are only partial lists of the awards given out. For a complete list, see each association’s Web site

BANN Bann-er Awards (thebuilders.com/pdf/2003BANNERWinners.pdf)

Nevada Homebuilding Trends

SNHBA and BANN members note the following trends in houses being built today in Nevada:

At-home workspace

Solid-surface countertops

Great rooms

Return to darker cabinetry

Larger entertainment niches

Use of fireplaces for ambience rather than function in Southern Nevada

Built-in technology and the wiring it requires

Higher ceilings throughout (9 to 10 feet) versus two-story ceilings

Multi-use spaces (lofts, libraries, laundry areas)

Second master suites on first floors to allow parents/in-laws to move in

Outdoor living spaces

Emphasis on personalization through upgrades/color/material choices

Additional garage space that is flexible

Low-E windows for energy efficiency and to reduce fading

Numerous windows