issue 13 q2 2014

Quarter 2 | 2014

Feature Story: Change is Good

Highlighted Project: Traditional Coastal Colonial

in Pacific Palisades

Up on the Design Board: Creating a Cozy Breakfast Nook

Is the Formal Living Room a Thing of the Past?

Current Projects and More

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ABOUT US: Established in 1996 and headquartered in Warner Center, Structure Home builds and remodels fine custom homes throughout the Los Angeles basin. Our staff is a group of seasoned professionals with the expertise and systems necessary for the complete implementation of real estate development. We believe that the proper approach to our business, our clients and partners is a comprehensive involvement in the development process with the use of carefully detailed systems to achieve pre-established results.

Our approach to design begins with looking at a building, functionally and aesthetically, as a complete operating system intended to perform today and for generations to come. To accomplish this goal, the entire design consultant and construction team must work collaboratively…in a well-organized process. We call our design development process ‘Whole Lot Living”… the thoughtful consideration of the entire structure, as well as its relationship to the natural surroundings. At Structure Home, we believe that a carefully managed design/specification and construction process is the only way we can be responsible stewards of our client’s most valuable investment.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Recently Completed Projects 3 Topic: Change is Good By: Robert and Mark, Structure 4 Highlighted Project: Traditional Coastal Colonial 6 Is the Formal Living Room a Thing of the Past? By: Karen Putman, P2 Design 10 Current “Under Construction” Projects 12 Up on the Design Board: “Creating a Cozy Breakfast Nook” By: Jill Wolff Interior Design 16 Structure Media & News 17

Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor:

21101 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

P: (818) 598-1330, F: (818) 598-1340

www.StructureHome.com

© 2014

HIGHLIGHTED HOME Page 6

UP ON THE DESIGN BOARD Page 15

IS THE FORMAL LIVING ROOM DEAD? Page 10

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“One question that consistently comes up when designing a custom home is, “do we really need a living room?” With housing prices today,

and limited buildable square footage per city codes and standards, a

family can’t afford not to use every single room in their home.”

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BRENTWOOD, CA

Artistic Contemporary Custom Home

USGBC LEED Silver 5,351 square foot two-story home

including 1,200 square foot basement

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA

Custom Home

4,608 square foot two-story home on a corner lot


Traditional New England Custom Home 4,121 square foot two-story home


Traditional Americana with hints of Craftsman

3,375 square foot two-story home on a corner lot

HIDDEN HILLS, CA

Traditional Manor Custom Estate 7,774 square foot two-story home on an acre lot.

BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional New England Custom Home

5,802 square foot two-story home

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

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Change is Good by: Robert Kleiman and Mark Sapiro, Structure Home

There is no better time than the spring to embrace the flow of nature. At this time, everything is emerging, growing, and blossoming…refreshed and renewed. If you stop and look around, you will see the wonder of change in every direction. More than any other time of the year, the spring season reminds us that life is constantly changing…springing forward with newborn growth. It therefore seems like a great time to consider alternative approaches to the way we do business…and to consider better ways to accomplish positive results. In the article that follows, we have tried to share a collaborative approach to designing, bidding and building a custom home, different from more traditional methods, but one that has proven successful to us and our clients.

The selection of design consultants and a custom home builder are important decisions. Although the process customarily begins with an architect…drawing plans, then bidding the plans to various contractors…we believe a different approach can yield significant benefits. One alternative is to select the general contractor at the beginning of the process and to assign that organization the responsibility for project management during both plan design as well as the construction phase of the project. The general contractor orchestrates a collaborative design process and is accountable to the Owner for 1) The Project Schedule and 2) The Project Budget. In addition to assuring thoroughly-vetted design, materials and products for the home in advance of construction, this approach results in both the best possible pricing in each budget category and continuous momentum in the project construction schedule.

To complete the pre-development design, specification, budgeting and permitting processes in an orderly and timely manner, the design-build team must be guided through a carefully articulated planning schedule. Structure developed the Journey Timeline, for both the pre-development and construction phases of a custom home project. Communication and adherence to the schedule facilitates both timely completion of the work and continual improvement of the finished design. The result is a team, whose contributions are well-coordinated prior to the construction phase, therefore generating efficiencies and enhanced quality throughout the development cycle. An important outcome of this approach is the mitigation of unintended change orders…bringing a

valuable benefit to the Owner. By working in a cohesive and methodical fashion, the team resolves and

refines the design and specifications of the home before the start of construction. The plans are viewed

by various perspectives on the team, e.g. contractor, architect, interior design, landscape architect, civil/

soils/structural engineers. Hence, all parties involved with the coordination and implementation of the

structure, including its functional and aesthetic qualities, are led through a comprehensive

pre-development planning schedule, which eliminates surprises, and change orders, when the home is

being built.

Another result of proactive planning prior to construction is a set of building plans that communicate the owners design decisions clearly and effectively to hundreds of people who will rely on the plans to build the home. The importance of the “construction documents” to the trades who build the home cannot be over-emphasized. We set a high standard of quality and content required within the building plans…to create a tightly-coordinated blueprint and road map…so everyone is clear about just what needs to be accomplished. A good set of plans means a much smoother, consistent experience…with predictable, uninterrupted completion schedule.

...continued on Page 5

FEATURE STORY

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...Change is Good Continued by: Robert Kleiman and Mark Sapiro, Structure Home

A general contractor is aware of all of the issues that must be resolved to complete a project successfully…through the experience of building homes time and time again. Actual project implementation experience provides guidance to facilitate thoughtful decisions at the appropriate time in the production cycle. The contractor’s participation early on enables the client to consider all of the options and choose the best solutions to accomplish their specific goals. Moreover, an owner can have the company, who will ultimately be held accountable for the home, involved and guiding the team as a single-source of responsibility. In doing so, your contractor is given the tools to protect your interests and lead the development effort toward the goals of thoughtful design, quality and durability as well as cost and schedule efficiency. Essentially, the knowledge and experience of the builder, gives the client control over a very important and complicated endeavor…and its associated risks. A custom home is a one-of-a-kind product and, by its very nature, designed and constructed in conformance with site and client specific conditions. For this reason, a carefully planned effort is beneficial to every aspect of the development. In addition to all the other benefits mentioned above, a team approach to planning helps resolve the best methods of installation of products, the optimum assembly of materials…all of which enable the home to perform at its best for the long-term. The benefits of this approach minimize the risks inherent with any construction process and bring added value to the investment, the quality of life within and the ultimate return on sale of the property. A collaborative planning effort therefore, brings benefits which are significant beyond completion of the home. Spring is here! Meaningful shifts are initiated through dedication to continual improvement, an openness

to change, innovative social & environmental responses and a connection to positive values that support

one another and the community we share. Change is inevitable...so perhaps now is a good time to

consider new ways of accomplishing better results.

¹See article entitled “On Schedule – the Fastest Line Between Two Points is a Straight Line” ²See article entitled “What’s A Budget to Do?” ³See article entitled “Introduction to the Journey”

1st Century Bank is a premium service business bank focused on providing small, community bank rela-

tionships with big bank technologies and services. 1st Century Bank provides expertise and creative solutions for your construction project and our professionals will assist you in every step of your project, from budgeting to permanent financing. For more information, contact David Comfort at 310.270.9517, or [email protected].

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Photography by: Latham Architectural


HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT: Traditional Coastal Colonial

Custom Home in Pacific Palisades

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Traditional Coastal Colonial in Pacific Palisades

Status: Project Completed Architectural Character: Traditional Coastal Colonial Architecture by P2 Design Data: This 5,077 square foot Traditional Coastal Colonial custom home was designed by P2 Design. The home displays harmonious symmetry, with a horizontal white siding façade, van deusen blue wood shutters that complement the tasteful matching paneled front door, and natural stone chimneys. The architectural style fits neatly in the neighborhood by drawing on the surrounding colonial homes, giving it a touch of history, and blending it with a more casual traditional coastal appearance.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECT


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Unique/Key Features: The two-story entry offers fabulous volume and light that brings the formal rooms together, sharing earth tones and a warm coastal interior ambiance which radiates throughout the home. The plan is comprised of 6 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, 3-car garage, living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, loft/music room, morning room, mud room, laundry room, outdoor living room, and a 2-story covered porch and balcony at the front. There are four octagonal rooms within the home that enhance natural light and take advantage of the stunning ocean and canyon views, along with adding architectural interest. French doors are seen throughout the home blending the indoor and outdoor spaces. The upstairs exteriors provide wrap around balconies and breezeways offering breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunsets. The downstairs exteriors encompass an outdoor living room with a cozy fireplace, BBQ and outdoor kitchen, swimming pool & spa, expansive lawn and play area, private fire pit with seating, and an inviting front porch.

9 Photography by: Latham Architectural

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Is the Formal Living Room a Thing of the Past? By: Karen Putman, P2 Design One question that consistently comes up when designing a custom home is, “do we really need a living room?” With housing prices today, and limited buildable square footage per city codes and standards, a family can’t afford not to use every single room in their home. The answer lies in yet another question, “will you use a living room?” There are several schools of thought that are all successful. One is to create a larger living room located in the center of the home that is more of an adult hangout space. You can still have elegance to the room and furniture without becoming too formal. Hence, comfort and practicality are more important than being too precious with a museum-like quality that is normally associated with a formal living room. The space can also be in an open plan arrangement as long as there are pocket or sliding doors to be able to screen or close off the kitchen when you’re entertaining. A centralized location may also provide an abundance of natural light when the living room is open to the rear yard or an outdoor covered space.

...continued on Page 11

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Photograph to the right shows the living room open to kitchen for everyday use

Photograph to the left shows the living room

closed to the kitchen for a more formal setting

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...Is the Formal Living Room a Thing of the Past? Continued By: Karen Putman, P2 Design There are families that still want the traditional living room that is generally located across from the dining room and adjacent to a formal entry. We can’t help but think of our grandparents’ home and the fond memories of the holidays spent in these spaces. It is a special space, yet not nearly as formal as the old days – it’s more comfortable and welcoming. Often times the living room is used for multiple functions such as an office or library, which assures the space will get used. A fireplace and built-ins create a warmth and functionality that enhance an office and provide a cozy environment for work or entertaining. The typical floor plan organization can be more expansive and have a better flow for entertaining and everyday use. In a way, the living room – the old, formal, rarely-used room most of us grew up with – is dead. Long live the new living room and all its varied functions! The typical floor plan organization can be more expansive and have a better flow for entertaining and everyday use. In a way, the living room – the old, formal, rarely-used room most of us grew up with – is dead. Long live the new living room and all its varied functions!

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The Enclave at Century Woods An Oasis of Mediterranean Elegance in the Heart of Century City CW Enclave, LLC acquired an undeveloped 70,000 square-foot lot at the corner of Century Park West and Solar Way. The Enclave is an upscale community consisting of 10 individually designed Spanish revival villas from approximately 5,700 to over 6,500 square feet. The development is a cluster of courtyard homes located within the established Century Woods development, a guard gated residential community in the heart of Century City. At the core of each home, private courtyards framed by French doors lead to spacious living, dining and family rooms. These outdoor areas feature authentic tile pavers, landscaped gardens, fireplaces, and water fountains that create a tranquil ambiance for entertaining guests or a relaxing indoor/outdoor lifestyle. The new homes will benefit from the same amenities currently available to the residents of Century Woods including: secure entry, tennis court, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and a clubhouse. The team: Owner/Developer: CW Enclave, LLC Lender: City National Bank Contractor: Structure Home Architect: P2 Design Engineer: John Labib and Assoc. Interior Designer: Hub of the House Landscape Architect: Rios Clementi Hale Studios Broker: Sally Forster Jones (310) 281.3999 Project Website: http://theenclavecenturywoods.com

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SPECIAL NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT

Currently Under Construction

...Current Projects continued on Page 13

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BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional Cape Cod Custom Home

6,686 square foot two-story home

SANTA MONICA, CA

Traditional Custom Home 4,903 square foot two-story

including a 1,682 square foot basement

SANTA MONICA, CA

Custom Home currently under design

Lot size: 11,764 square feet

BEVERLY HILLS, CA

Remodel Project

Approximate square footage listed of homes under construction (until homes are completed, rooms and items may vary).

CURRENT PROJECTS CONTINUED

No Photo Available

No Photo Available


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BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional Cape Cod Custom Home 5,382 square foot two-story home


SANTA MONICA, CA

Traditional Custom Home 6,200 square foot two-story home


CHEVIOT HILLS

Traditional Custom Home 5,200 square foot two-story home

BRENTWOOD, CA

Single Family Residence 4,898 square foot two-story home

on a 17,899 square foot lot

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No Photo Available



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Building a custom home has many advantages, including the choice to build a more energy efficient home that is not only a more sustainable way of life but will also generate lower energy costs. Currently, Structure Home has two more custom homes under construction in Brentwood that are USGBC LEED Registered, using US EPA Water Sense Certified fixtures, and EnergyStar appliances in each home.

This New England Traditional Custom Home is 6,244 sq.ft. including a 1,189 square foot basement. Here are a few of the energy efficient statistics of this home:

45% of this home uses renewable energy 30% of the designed landscapes is softscape turf 58% of the installed plants are drought tolerant 75% of the waste that came from this project was diverted This home is 26.3% above the Title 24 requirements

This Traditional Coastal Custom Home, is 5,253 sq.ft. on a 10,127 sq.ft. lot. Here are a few of the energy efficient statistics of this home:

30% of the designed landscapes is softscape turf 70% of the installed plants are drought tolerant 75% of the waste that came from this project was diverted This home is 31.7% above the Title 24 requirements


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Creating a Cozy Breakfast Nook By: Jill Wolff, Jill Wolff Interior Designs

Wouldn’t every family love to sit around a cozy breakfast nook, like the one pictured on the cover of this month’s newsletter? Well, there are some secrets to creating a comfortable and easy to maintain “booth”. The first thing to think about is the seat height of the bench….remember that 18” is the desired seat height for a standard 30” table. That means that if you are building a seat, take into consideration the thickness of the cushion that will be on it. Usually 2” thickness will suffice. Speaking of cushions…..I have found that the most comfortable way to finish off the area is to upholster the backs as well. At JWID we like to use vinyl fabric so that clean up is a breeze. Adding some throw pillows also creates a pretty finished look. The table is the next consideration: Of course size is important, that is solely dependent on each space…..but material is something to think about. If you are going for clean open look, glass is great. If you want something a little more substantial, wood with a stained or painted finish looks wonderful.

The finishing touch is the light fixture…..if you are in an area that is open and airy, a glass fixture is beautiful. But really, the sky is the limit. There are so many beautiful fixtures out there……some of my favorites are from Currey and Company.

UP ON THE DESIGN BOARD

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The Structure Home Collection Book An updated 280+ page portfolio book of 20 beautiful custom homes built in Los Angeles, California by Structure Home. From one client’s vision to another client’s dream, this book will leave you stimulated, inspired, motivated, and even envious. Each page illustrates the quality work and a wonderful team of design consultants, trade subcontractors, vendors and material suppliers have put into the impressive custom homes that Structure Home has built. We build more than homes, we build relationships for life.

View the collection: http://bit.ly/1bS5jLa

Luxe Magazine

Be sure to look for our advertisement in Luxe Magazine in each 2014 issue.

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MEDIA AND NEWS

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SAVE THE DATE | STOP CANCER WALK/RUN 2014

Sunday, September 28, 2014 we will be joining TEAM EMMA for the Stop Cancer Run/Walk at Woodley Park, Van Nuys. The money raised will help fund research at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC’s Norris Comprehensive Center, and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. Be sure to SAVE THE DATE!

http://bit.ly/1bS5jLa

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU to our preferred partners:

www.structurehome.com/directory.htm

Structure Home 21101 Oxnard Street

Woodland Hills, CA 91367 P: (818) 598-1330 F: (818) 598-1340

www.StructureHome.com

© 2014

Structure Home offers a referral incentive program that is designed to encourage, recognize and thank those clients who introduce Structure Home to friends, family and acquaintances. In the program, Structure Home will gift $2,500 to those who make a referral that results in a new client and will provide an additional $2,500 upgrade credit to the new clients who've been referred. In this way, all of our clients, past and new, share our appreciation for their loyalty and support. Email: [email protected] to find out more.

issue 13 q2 2014

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