Clever spaces in denser places
Given the scarcity of space in the Bay Area, new-home builders must incorporate creativity in their design and architecture. Builders such as Van Daele Homes, for instance, pay attention to today’s families’ needs at its communities in Castro Valley and Morgan Hill.
“The higher the density of the housing, the harder it is to incorporate extra suites and floor plan flexibility,” said Michael Van Daele, CEO of Van Daele Homes. “But wherever possible, at our ‘smaller footprint’ homes in Morgan Hill and Castro Valley, we’re including a downstairs en suite bedroom.”
This floor plan allows for grandparents, a teen or an adult child who is living at home to have the privacy that they need out of earshot of the other bedrooms, while in proximity to living spaces and without the need to climb stairs.
Creative architectural elements and design features of higher-density new homes allow new-home purchases in closerin communities to be more affordable, with benefits that transcend the cost savings. Closer proximity to employment centers and public transportation, along with lower-maintenance yards, make new-home ownership in desirable ZIP codes a possibility for families.
“We’re seeing a very fast pace of sales in our higher-density communities,” said Van Daele. “These homes have the functionality of larger homes but with a smaller footprint and many other benefits.”
Inventive uses of space in some Van Daele homes for example, include a home management center, which can be found in models of Van Daele’s Morgan Hill community of Veneto. This first-floor space is configured with a large desk situated in a hallway that is well lit by sliding glass doors to an adjacent courtyard.
Additionally, Van Daele’s Plan 2 townhome at Veneto and its Plan 3 townhome at The Gables in Morgan Hill include spacious second-floor lofts with room for upper and lower cabinetry, and built-in desk(s). These layouts provide the functionality of a home office or large homework space that is separate from the central traffic flow of the home.
Van Daele makes use of every possible inch of living space, eliminating the need to expand the home’s footprint. Each home also incorporates a low-maintenance patio, courtyard, porch or deck to provide access to fresh air.
Similarly, the homes at other high-density neighborhoods such as the City Ventures communities of Ice House in Oakland and The Grove at Scotts Valley, offer buyers fresh design alternatives that deem open-concept spaciousness unnecessary.
“We’re experiencing a surge in sales for September,” said Phil Kerr, CEO of Homebuilding for City Ventures. “In places like Oakland and Scotts Valley, people are cutting their commutes to San Francisco or the Silicon Valley.”
Kerr added that gaining all the benefits of new construction along with access to the job base is game changing for many people. As part of its strategy to provide the kinds of housing that people need near urban centers, City Ventures has built up townhome communities that are very close to quaint downtown areas and a reasonable commute to major employers.
In the case of The Grove at Scotts Valley, threestory townhomes incorporate first-floor flex space that can be converted into an additional bedroom, office or recreation room. Each of the first and second floors includes either a porch or a balcony, while some plans also include a front courtyard.
Included with City Ventures homes are the builder’s tech-home and energy-efficient features.
“These are the most energy-efficient new homes on the market,” said Kerr. “The technology comes standard in all City Ventures green homes, including Nest thermostats, Milgard windows and doors, and Sunpower solar panels.”
Yet another plus of buying a new home, Kerr pointed out, is the long-term savings and environmental peace of mind afforded by California’s building standards. Though not required until 2020, nearly all builders are already incorporating the state’s required energy-efficiency construction guidelines in their new homes.
It’s all about making new spaces of any size more comfortable for homeowners, while making the decision to purchase a new home even more palatable.