Laurie and I met as neighbors back in 2005 and began dating. Over the past 2 years we noticed we had a lot of common ideas for a nice home. On walks around our community we found a new road looking down on the the local golf course with Eagle Mtn Lake in the distance. December of 2007 we contacted the land owner to make an offer on the open lot. Laurie's personal friend Dean Smith is a builder in the area who met with us and gave us his plan book to look over during our New Years holiday. Some 500 plans later we had nailed it down to a rough idea but it needed much rework to fit our needs and dreams and budget. The original plan was a 2 story home with the master bd on the ground floor which is typical now days and 2 bd and baths up with game room. We knew since the lot had a perfect slope that we wanted to do a walkout basement to the pool if possible.
Laurie and I didn't like box homes. It had to have some angles and curves possible. The lot is pie shaped with a slope at 120' deep into the property of about 25' down to the gold course. The back right corner of the lot extends into a natural wash being some 383' from street to the back pin. I think the lot is about .79 acre in total so its big enough for the home, yard and pool. We wanted it to take advantage of the lake view in the main living area during the day and be cool during the summers at night. We also did not want huge electric bills in the summer so anything that could be done with on site power generations and the latest in heating and a/c will be attempted.
Dean sent us to his designer Mark Long of Shelmar Custom Designs to put our plans and ideas onto paper. While Mark was working up the drawings he gave me the name of Tom Werling of North Texas Basements to see what he came up with. The original idea for the basement was half of the home only due to concrete costs but while meeting with Tom and Dean at the lot Tom said he has been doing basements and homes in Ohio for over 20yrs and came to Texas to do just that. Tom explain how he builds them and that the whole house should be over basement for not a lot more than only doing half or less. What we came up with was to move the 2nd floor bedrooms/baths into the basement now and having a rec room large enough to entertain and also room to build out. This would also be a lot less cooling load on the home since the 2nd floor would could be closed off completely at night saving a lot on cooling costs.
Updated 4.3.08 Confirmed List 2 Story home plus walk out basement. Est total living space 5950 SF Full basement under living space of home Engineered lumber floor truss system 2x6 exterior walls (thicker insulation and 800% load gains) Spray in foam on external walls Spray in foam on all ceilings Insulated garage Hurricane roof clips for higher wind loading Seismic strapped walls to foundation for higher wind loading Vinyl Impact Resistant Windows Plumbing, Lighting fixtures and Appliances - Ferguson Enterprises Radiant floor heating - Basement Dual Cat5e 350MHz and GR6 Dual shielded coax drops in all rooms. Quad drops in Util & Rec Rooms Fiber optic data in floor risers Video security system Motion detection outdoor lighting Wish List: Home Structure: 2x6 stud outside wall Radiant roof deck / walls Hurricane clips for roof - Seismic strapping walls to foundation 5" Foam walls and attic ZIP system walls - exterior Garage insulated Min 26In attic insulation Garage/attic access with LIFT DOOR Hoist Water reclamation bath/shower downspouts Ventilation & Cable raceways, basement to attic access for cabling Fire/Life/Safety systems Security motion detection, windows, pool, fences All rooms/halls/closets: fire/smoke/sprinkler sys if feasible Outside motion detection lighting, Front door voice announce with camera. Outside cam security system Windows, PVC for natural light - high R value - Overhangs on south/west sides outdoor so fit lighting/power/security Renewable s: Solar Elec, Wind Bath/shower water reclamation tank for irrigation Drip sprinklers HVAC: Multi zone a/c/heat Heat pump geothermal Basement radiant floor heating Multi speed ventilation motors In areas with high ceilings,Duct work in floor. returns in ceiling Whole house attic fan Electrical serv: 325Amp est feed to home Main breaker box in garage - access for future add on externally Sub elec panels in basement unfinished area / Sub elec in pool pump room Wire protected areas for backup power or separate solar supply Lutron Electronics Home Lighting controls Isolated ground in some areas Ground rod inside accessible and or concrete footer rebar Ground rod at cpu data racks Backup generator transfer switch Conduit from serv panel to attic for solar - 4" Cable raceways between rooms HAL Smart home automation All rooms with RG6 CAT5e voice/data/spare Kitchen: Center Island Gas cook top with built in vent Large pantry Counter seating for 8 Tray ceiling w/fan Dual drawer washer sofit lighting Custom cabinets with up lighting/down lighting Conduit from cabinet tops to panty for future wiring Granite counters Tile flooring Family rm: Wood Flooring Walk behind media cabinet with A/Cond duct for built in DLP tv/stereo gear REAL fire place w/air heat exchanger Closed combustion natural gas fireplaces with heating fans Basement Radiant heat flooring zoned Computers/data/voice/security sys Theater - Raised rear deck and doorway. Projection room in rear with DLP opposite wall for rec rm. - Carpet and sound proof walls. Sofit sides with down lighting. Possible star fiber lite ceiling. Concrete floor stained with stencil pattern accents. Top clear coat. Bar, Full frig & microwave Soffit Box With Recessed Lighting POOL: Double negative edge so pool creates look of a sheet of water while looking outside. Natural stone water falls with plants, lighting and fire accents. 12-18inch deep x 12' curved tanning area Built in Umbrella / table holders in pool floor. Underwater fountains bubblers Grotto with spa above Gas heater for spa Solar heater for pool Dedicated sub panel for pool 100amp Outdoor plugs Prewire speaker Prewire pool cpu controls to inside 2nd floor Prewire outdoor tv
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