Project Green House Profile: A Low Stress, Less Mess Green Home

Two builders work together on a modular, sustainable home suitable for time-pressed D.C. buyers

By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor
December 19, 2008
HousingZone

Listen to an Interview with Phil Leibovitz

Listen to an Interview with Jerry Smalley

North Bethesda, Md. – Building a new home is time consuming and creates a certain inconvenience for the buyer -- the transport of materials and tools to and from the site, parking interference for neighbors when doing infill, and the like. Build a green home and the time and inconvenience will surely increase.

Well, not necessarily so. Sandy Spring Builders and Haven Custom Homes have completed an environmentally friendly, custom modular home. It’s the fourth home on which they have collaborated, and is located in North Bethesda, a close-in suburb of Washington, D.C. 

The Roosevelt was designed by GTM Architects and constructed in Haven Custom Homes’ controlled indoor facility in Pennsylvania. The home was built in a matter of weeks before being delivered to the home site where its final completion took about three months.

“Modular construction allows our homes to be completely constructed in a matter of months – three times faster than onsite construction – and that is a timeframe homeowners in this area appreciate,” said Phil Leibovitz, partner at Sandy Spring Builders.

The Roosevelt home provides a healthy environment for residents. It is constructed in an indoor facility that allows for tight construction that prevents outdoor air from bringing dust and airborne pollutants into the home.

< Haven Custom Homes uses only paint, sealants and varnishes that do not emit harmful, organic compounds into the home.

“Many people in the Washington, D.C., metro area want to refurbish or rebuild their home but can’t sacrifice the time and relocation effort it takes,’ Leibovitz adds. “Our new line of Sandy Spring Classic Homes is a solution to this problem. We invite people to visit the Roosevelt home where they can understand first-hand the benefits of this building technique.”

The two-story home is spacious, with 5,513 square feet of living space and a basement that includes a fitness/media room, recreation retreat, guest suite and bathroom. The first floor of the home begins with a large wrap-around porch that invites guests into the foyer and formal living and dining rooms. The family room includes a built-in media center and adjoins the gourmet kitchen with its center island workstation and breakfast nook. The home’s living area has lots of natural light and is complete with a sweeping view of the outdoor living area and screened-in porch. A two-car garage and mud room provide space for storage and work activities.

The second floor of the home features four bedrooms, including the luxurious owner’s retreat with a spacious walk-in closet and private bathroom. Three additional bathrooms are located on the second floor along with a laundry room and relaxing sitting area for family fun and entertaining.

Sandy Spring and Haven contend that the Roosevelt home is inherently green by design. Haven’s indoor facility allows for the home’s materials to be protected from moisture that could increase the chance of mold or warping. This building technique also provides tight construction preventing outdoor air from bringing dust and airborne pollutants into the home. Haven Custom Homes uses only paint, sealants and varnishes that do not emit harmful, organic compounds into the home. The Classic Series of homes have enhanced insulation packages, use extensive energy-efficient products, and are built in a way that dramatically reduces the global impact on the environment.

“We believe in creating homes that are healthy for homeowners – and that includes creating a home that is energy efficient, free of harmful outdoor elements and built with only the most durable materials,” said Jerry Smalley, CEO and president for Haven Custom Homes.

The Roosevelt model is available for purchase. Pricing is available upon request and appointments can be made by calling Leibovitz at (301) 913-5995. View a slide show of construction of the home

© 2009, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.