Professional Builder’s Show Village brings beachfront living to IBS

Photo: Construction crews assemble two of the three Show Village model homes in the parking lot of the Orange County Convention Center in preparation of this week's International Builders’ Show. All three Show Village homes are designed and built to achieve certification through national and regional green home rating programs.

Professional Builder magazine is partnering with modular home manufacturers Palm Harbor Homes and Nationwide Homes, along with more than 30 building product manufacturers, to build an oceanfront community in the heart of Orlando.

Three model homes — 500-sq-ft Eco Cabana, 2,600-sq-ft Sea Breeze and 3,200-sq-ft Treasure Sands — are all designed for coastal applications and will be on display at the 12th annual Show Village exhibit in the parking lot of the Orange County Convention Center during the International Builders’ Show this week.

While the model homes cannot offer ocean views, they do present builders with the rare opportunity to see new products and technology in a demonstration-type setting. Show Village attendees can tour the homes, test the products and talk with the sponsor manufacturers’ representatives.

The three houses went on line between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6 and are being assembled this week in preparation for the show.

All of the homes are designed and built to achieve certification through national and regional green home rating programs, and two are participating in the Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge for energy efficiency. Sustainable features include a solar roof, closed-cell spray foam insulation, no-VOC paints and sealants, bamboo flooring, high-efficiency HVAC systems, Energy Star-rated appliances and light fixtures, and low-flow faucets and fixtures, including dual-flush toilets. At the show’s conclusion, the homes are sold and moved to a home site.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on January 12, 13 and 14, Professional Builder will host a networking block party in Show Village with refreshments and a house band, led by 4th- generation custom builder Albert Cummings.

For more information on Show Village, visit www.PBshowvillage.com.