"Reality House" debuts at builders' show

The "Reality House" debuted in early January at the International Builders' Show in Orlando.  At 6000 square feet, it's hardly a realistic size for everyman, though such things are more affordable in Indiana than other parts of the country.

Perhaps most exciting is its focus on usability, with real-world research driving real-world functionality.  And, it's nice that it was designed by the world-renowned home designers & urbanists at Looney Ricks Kiss.

Read the full article from the San Francisco Chronicle here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/21/HOGSMGPA1E1.DTL

Visit the house here: http://www.realityhouse2006.com/

Or enjoy my bullet points derived from the SF article:

• We're messy and need places for all our stuff.  Use built-in storage.
• Create a "drop-off area" for keys and other things that get "dropped"
• Provide a second master suite on the first floor (rather than a garage apartment) for elderly live-ins or nannies. Include a sink and fridge.
• Provide places for the (flammable) stuff we store in the garage, perhaps separate from the car and gasoline.
• Provide for pets, especially when they need to be corraled. Use a dutch door, and if it's near a shower that's a good thing.
• Provide for working-at-home with cabinets and countertops.
• 10' is more than enough "greatness" for the great room. Taller ceilings are wasteful and have bad acoustics.
• Create private spaces....his and hers vanities, away rooms, nooks for kids and adults alike
• Outdoor living (more than an 8x8 concrete slab!) includes well-considered patios, terraces, balconies
• Handsome architecture.  (in this case, Arts & Crafts style)

I'm pleased to say that my design for the condos at Lantern Point Plaza address many of these issues already!

www.johnsonrealtygroup.net/lanternpoint.html