As previously posted, I often work with clients to develop a “fictional story” that will aid in the design of a home. This story is the lynchpin for a thematic approach for design. In the case of the house on lot 231, AKA Caleb’s Journey, we wanted a home that looked like it simply belonged in Colorado. The Highlands in Breckenridge development is filled with homes that fit the mold of mountain contemporary. We wanted something mountain authentic. So we invented Caleb, the man who built the house. His story goes like this: Caleb was a man who had spent years building homes for other people. Whenever he finished a home he took the left over scraps with him and they became, over the years, a very large pile in the backyard behind his cabin. One day Caleb estimated he had enough material to begin the construction of his own home. And over the next couple of years, he built the home of his dreams from castaway materials.The result was a rustic, well worn dwelling completely at home in the Colorado Mountains. This home features a timber frame made from 20″ logs and hewn douglas fir dimensional beams, reclaimed siding and ceiling cladding, and gorgeous oak floors recycled from a granary. Perhaps Caleb was only a figment of our imagination. But he came to life within the walls of Caleb’s Journey.

If you were going to design a home, where would your ideas come from?

Earlier this week, we discussed what LEED certification means for homes. As promised, today we’re going to tell you a little bit about the LEED certification points system, as well as the levels of certification for homes. Let’s get started with the points system.

The LEED for Homes rating system is a set of industry best practices that help guide builders in constructing better homes. There are 35 topic areas with a unique intent or goal for each. Under the requirements section of each topic area, very specific measures are identified that should be incorporated into the home. Those measures include good practices, better practices, and best practices. Good practices are the prerequisites that need to be met, which are considered a mandatory measure. Better practices are typically worth one point, and best practices are worth two points.

Prerequisites must be met during the design of construction phase and include 18 prerequisites. The 67 credits in the rating system are purely optional measures, but a minimum number of points must be earned in some of the credit categories. Once the prerequisites are met, the home can proceed with being rated on better and best practices.

We built the Timber Trails residence, shown above, to meet LEED sustainable standards.

Based on the number of points a home earns in terms of better and best practices, it can then be certified into one of four levels – Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Certified homes are those that receive between 45 and 59 points out of the total 136 points available. A Silver home must receive 60-74 points, and a Gold home must receive between 75 and 89 points. Platinum home are the highest level of LEED certification, earning between 90 and 136 points.

We hope this information has given you a better understanding of the LEED for Homes certification process. Here at Trilogy Partners, we strive to meet LEED sustainable standards with every build. You can find more information on the LEED for Homes certification process on the U.S. Green Building Council website.

Image Courtesy of Trilogy Partners

The International Builders’ Show (IBS), the largest residential building industry tradeshow in the world, will be held next month from January 12-15th, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For 67 years, the International Builders’ Show, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), provides the perfect place for suppliers and manufactures to show their products to builders, architects and developers. With over 1,200 exhibitors and around 60,000 in attendance, this year’s International Builders’ Show will be the place to be in the New Year.

For more information please visit the Buildersshow.com.

British architecture might be undergoing a major change with Prince Charles’s foundation, The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, taking on a more advisory role in future development projects. Since the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) had its funding cut recently, the Prince’s Foundation is considering stepping into the role left vacant and that means possibly influencing the architectural planning committee. Many fear the Prince’s favorite traditional style architects would soon win bids on future landmark developments.

Paul Finch, chairman of CABE, said “”Stylistic preferences will make it more difficult for certain building types to win planning approval.”

Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the world's first and only tilting bridge, and was designed by Gifford and Partners with Wilkinson Eyre.

What do you think of the monarchy getting involved on such a level that can change the United Kingdom’s skyline?

Our partnership with Colorado Building Company (CBC) has been a successful relationship that has led to many award-winning homes.  Colorado Building Company is more than just a construction management company; they are experts at sustainable building technologies such as geothermal, SIP panels, solar system integration and more. Take a look at some of the projects we have designed with Colorado Building Company.

Rounds Road- Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Highlands Drive- Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Caleb's Journey- Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

Steamboat House- Photo courtesy of Colorado Building Company

We’ve said it before, but at Trilogy Partners we see design and build as inseparable. We guide our clients through each important process, from concept, through construction and into completion. For over 12 years we have been creating exceptional custom built homes throughout the Colorado mountain region.

One of the reasons why we have been so successful is because we still maintain the same “client service” approach that has allowed us to develop strong relationships with our clients. Take a look at some of our work below.

Trilogy_Partners_custom_residential_builder_Breckenridge_Colorado

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy_Partners_custom_residential_builder_Breckenridge_Colorado

Trilogy Partners

Trilogy_Partners_custom_residential_builder_Breckenridge_Colorado

Trilogy Partners

For more information please visit us online at TrilogyBuilds.com or call us at 970-453-2230.

Italian manufacturer Lualdi will be working with renowned architects Dror Benshetrit, David Rockwell and Robert A.M. Stern to create the company’s first “American” collection of interior doors, which will be available in January 2011.

“Like the designers who created them, each of the doors in our first ‘American’ collection has a very distinct personality,” said Alberto Lualdi, the company’s president. “While they each explore materials and form in their own unique way, they share the attention to detail, quality, and forward-thinking design…”

Chambers Hotel entrance designed by David Rockwell

David Rockwell says “My obsession with doors comes from the fact that they really define the first impression of a space.”

We can’t wait to see Lualdi’s new “American” collection! What do you think?

What happens when a group of architects and policy makers meet to discuss their city’s future? We recently found out the answer when we came across an article on Metropolis titled “Design + Policy= Fit Cities”. George Miller, president of the American Institute of Architects, opened the 5th annual Fit City symposium at the Center for Architecture in New York City where he challenged “the crowd to rethink the planning, architecture, and design of our metropolis, with the goal of encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyles.”

Miller recently said that, “The challenges of the 21st century will not lend themselves to the old way of thinking. Design should not merely be thought of as a tool, but as a collaborative process that offers opportunities for all of us – client and the public, architect and engineer, elected officials and community organizers – to pull together to address the challenges of our time.”

We’ll have to wait and see the results and can only hope for a positive outcome. What do you think?

At Trilogy Partners we build homes the old fashioned way, by paying attention to detail and quality. Our homes blend into the mountains in which they are built on. We take our cue from the outdoors and take pride in staying true to the surrounding area.

From rustic American furnishings that are indigenous to Colorado to Japanese antiques that come alive in our homes, our homes have personality.

Below is a sample of our work.

965 N Ten Mile Dr. , Unit A1 Frisco, CO 80443
Phone: 970-453-2230

Email: information at trilogybuilds dot com
Facebook: TrilogyPartners
Twitter: @trilogybuilds
Instagram: trilogybuilds
Youtube: The Trilogy Partners Channel
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