Quarter 3 | 2013

Building custom homes in Los Angeles since 1996.

Feature Story:

Price Per Square Foot …and the Holy Grail

Highlighted Project:

Traditional New England

Architectural Trends

Current Projects

And more

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ABOUT US: Structure Home has been building fine custom homes since 1996. Headquartered in Warner Center, Structure Home builds in areas throughout the Los Angeles basin. Our approach to design begins with looking at a building as a complete operating system, the products and technology it contains and how it will perform over time. To accomplish this objective the entire design and construction team must work collaboratively, in a well-organized process. We call this approach ‘Whole Lot Living” and we believe that the thoughtful consideration of the entire structure, as well as its relationship to the natural environment, is the only way we can be responsible stewards of our client’s most valuable asset.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Price Per Square Foot ...and the Holy Grail! 3 Sustainably Speaking 4 Recently Completed Projects 5 Up on the Design Board Architectural Trends by Karen Putman 6 Highlighted Project Traditional New England Home 8 Current “Under Construction” Projects 12 Structure News Media News 14 Stop Cancer: Team Emma 5K/10K 15

21101 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 P: (818) 598-1330, F: (818) 598-1340

www.StructureHome.com © 2013

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Price Per Square Foot...and the Holy Grail by: Robert Kleiman and Mark Sapiro, Structure Home At least 4-5 times per week, I get asked by prospective clients "How much does it cost to build a custom home per square foot?" At Structure Home, we build custom homes every day, we bid and buy custom homes every day, we track the costs of custom home projects every day and therefore, we know with certainty what it costs to build a custom home. So why then is price per square foot such a mystery? The list of variables that influence the cost of a project is long. It includes the conditions/topography/size of the specific property, the architectural character, the size of the home, special features/amenities desired by the client, the myriad of finish levels available in every line item of a budget and the market valuation of the finished home...just to name a few. When you step back and consider that every custom home is as individual/unique as the property and client it is suited for, the price per square foot (PPSF) index is really a boiled down figure that reduces an enormous amount of information into a 3-digit index...and something about that seems too simplistic considering the magnitude and individuality of every home and homesite. From a professional perspective therefore, PPSF does not adequately account for the all the nuances in the development of a custom home. The same 4-5 times a week I begin the conversation with the statement...”Price Per Square Foot can be the most misleading piece of information”. This is true for a number of reasons: • What costs are included and which are not? At Structure, we pride ourselves on broad

perspectives and comprehensive budgets to properly prepare clients for all the costs they will incur...we believe this builds trust and long-term relationships. Common misconceptions can be derived from a PPSF can occur if the index 1) only accounts for hard costs (the materials and labor to build only the home but does not include the other following costs….), 2) does not include site work and landscape and 3) may/may not include soft costs like permits, design consultants, insurance and general requirements.

• The PPSF of a smaller home is higher than the PPSF of a larger home! Few realize this simple fact...but many costs within a home (kitchen appliances are an obvious one) are fixed, and therefore dramatically influence PPSF. $30,000 of kitchen appliances are $10 psf in a 3,000 sq. ft. home and $5 psf in a 6,000 sq. ft. home.

• Big ticket features can skew the PPSF big time. Site grading, retaining walls, basements, swimming pools, wine cellars, home theatres, elevators, complexity and construction time...each are big costs components that can swing the PPSF one way quickly. For example, a $60,000 pool alone is $20 psf in a 3,000 sq. ft. home.

Taken together with the variables specific to a project scope, unique property and to particular client preferences...it is quite clear that PPSF may not be the best indicator at all. Instead, we take a simple description of a home from a prospective client and provide them with an educated range of comprehensive costs to build the home...this properly equips them with information needed to make their all-important life/investment decisions. We then conduct a detailed budget meeting, discussing all of the variable and specific preferences in order to develop a meaningful budget consistent with the individuality of each client. With that detailed budget, our prospective clients are armed with valuable information about project costs, what is driving the budget, where it can be manipulated and how to control the budget and cost of their project. Relative to the significance of the home building decision, a comprehensive budget seems like far better information than PPSF…much better than the mystery of the Holy Grail.

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Sustainably Speaking

1st Century Bank is a premium service business bank focused on providing small, community bank relationships 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 dcomfort@1cbank.com.

www.StructureHome.com/SustainablySpeaking.htm Structure Home has been posting monthly articles dedicated to sharing information and education regarding ongoing green and sustainable projects, movements within the industry, and ongoing education on building science. Subjects posted include: September 2013 Why Build Green? August 2013 Why We Love Tankless (Infographic) July 2013 Your Home’s Energy Rating June 2013 The Top Green Design Trends for 2013 (Slideshow) May 2013 The Big 3 April 2013 Be The Change...April 22nd, Earth Day April 2013 Decision Making Priorities March 2013 Structure Home becomes a Water Sense Builder February 2013 Another Structure Home Pending USGBC Silver January 2013 VISION House Los Angeles Achieves USGBC Silver

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BRENTWOOD, CA

Artistic Contemporary Style Custom Home

USGBC LEED Silver 5,351 square foot two-story home with 1,200 square foot basement

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA

East Coast Traditional Style Custom Home with

Contemporary Interior Accents 4,877 square foot two-story home

CHEVIOT HILLS, CA

California Contemporary Style Custom Home

3,476 square foot two-story home

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA

Traditional Americana Style with touches of Craftsman 3,375 square foot two-story home on a corner lot

WESTWOOD, CA

Traditional Style Custom Home 6,158 square foot two-story home

BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional New England Style Custom Home 5,802 square foot two-story home

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Architectural Trends By: Karen Putman, P2 Design

“Leave It To Beaver” has a warm place in our heart portraying the traditional family, lifestyle, and home in a 1960’s television sitcom. As a part of our culture, we welcome tradition and the trend in architectural style certainly exemplifies this. Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend in custom home building in Southern California of an East Coast traditional home style: white clapboard siding, dark wood shutters, steep pitched roof, front porch or entry pediment, dormer windows, classic proportions, and simple yet elegant massing, forms, and details.

Yet the guts or the interior flow of the traditional homes of yesteryear don’t address the need for today’s way of life. People want large open spaces, naturally flowing circulation and floor plans, and all the modern amenities rather than the compartmentalized, smaller spaces of older homes. Essentially, the core of the home is contemporary, while maintaining historical reference to the exterior. Many people are forgoing the Living Room, which sometimes can become a space that is too small or rarely used. Some may associate the Living Room with yelps from mother, “keep off the white sofa!” Hence, the space is relinquished for a home office or enhancing the size of other areas in the home such as a larger Great Room. The great room concept can be found in every new home today. This is where family and friends gather on a regular basis for everyday activities. Usually there is an open kitchen and casual dining area adjacent to the great room; one space flows into the next, making the transition seamless and communication comfortable. A trend that began several years ago is the Outdoor Living Room, which continues to inspire and create livable spaces for the temperate California climate. Often times the Outdoor Living Room or Loggia is found adjacent to the Great Room, functioning as an extension of the home and more like an indoor room with better furnishings, rugs, fireplace, curtains, and even a television. The addition of bi-fold or sliding pocket doors further blurs the lines of outdoor and indoor spaces. Whether a young, growing family or an empty nest couple who are downsizing, our homes are becoming more simplified architecturally through floor plan layout and more complex with technology. The traditional style inherent to our past reflects a simple time and lifestyle we strive to attain. This traditional genre may be a trend today, but will always maintain a timeless sense of style and class.

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Architectural Trends (cont.)

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Highlighted Project: Brentwood Custom Home Status: Project Completed Architectural Character: Traditional New England Home Data: 4,440 SF two story home in Brentwood, CA. This home features an attached two-car garage, 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, Upstairs Laundry Room, Office, Covered Balconies and Deck, Sitting Room, Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Kitchen, Study, Downstairs Guest Room, Foyer, Morning Room, Covered Loggia, Mud Room.

Photography by: Latham Architectural

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Unique/Key Features: This New England Traditional Home on a corner lot features warm copper gutters and downspouts as well as copper standing seam roofs that grace the main entry and side yard lower roofing elements to complement the cranberry red front door. An ample sun deck off the master provides a view of the large grassy back yard. The interior features include an Elan Smart House system integrated with the 7.1 surround sound audio system at the Great Room, and speakers throughout the interior and exterior of the home. The well out-fitted Gym and a dark wood paneled home Office provide private spaces for the adults. A large Playroom with wainscot height chalk-board walls creates a fun place for the kids to play.

Photography by: Latham Architectural

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Approximate square footage listed of homes under construction (until homes are completed, rooms and items may vary). HIDDEN HILLS, CA Style: Traditional Manor Estate Data: 7,774 SF two story home on an acre lot. This home features an attached four-car garage, 6 Bedrooms, 5 ½ Baths, Office, Great Room, Den, Dining, Kitchen, Morning Room, Mud Room, Laundry, Loggia, and a breezeway with an attached Art Studio, Office and Gym. Unique/Key Features: This fine custom estate has been designed by George De La Nuez of Rocha/e La Nuez Architects and richly detailed with interior design by Tracy Allison Interiors. A grand entrance and architectural focal point features a full radius standing seam copper roof. A stunning crescent staircase graces the formal entry foyer and designed with plenty of gallery walls for an accomplished artist and collector couple. The interior spaces provide large areas to display the "Father of Fusion Art" pieces created by the client. The outdoor living features include a beautiful pool/spa with raised deck and fire pit, a barbeque island with guest seating, comfortable, covered outdoor living areas, porches and a breezeway connecting the main residence to a separate art studio, gym and office. Gardens feature meandering pathways around this lush one-acre property...leading to citrus groves, vegetable/herb gardens, all of which enhance the vibrant style of the home and its natural country surroundings. Additional art installations in the landscape are planned to complete the statement for this wonderful family to enjoy and share. BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional Coastal Architecture Style USGBC LEED and EPA WaterSense Products

5,418 square foot two-story home 10.127 square foot lot

“under construction” tour TBD

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BRENTWOOD, CA

New England Traditional Style Custom Home USGBC LEED and EPA WaterSense Products

5,055 square foot home with a 1,189 square foot basement

“under construction” tour TBD

BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional Cape Cod Style Custom Home 4,121 square foot two-story home

“under construction” tour May 25, 2013

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA

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

“under construction” tour July 2013 PACIFIC PALISADES, CA

Traditional Style Custom Home 4,608 square foot two-story home

“under construction” tour April 20, 2013

BRENTWOOD, CA

Traditional Cape Cod Style Custom Home 6,500 square foot two-story home

“under construction” tour TBD

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The national TV series "Alive & Well with Michelle Harris" (Modern Organic Living) recently filmed an episode at VISION House Los Angeles. The show will feature Robert Kleiman discussing the recycling and management of waste, both in the demolition and construction phases of a custom home. The show is scheduled to air in November/December 2013 on DirecTV (ch. 306), Dish Network (ch. 217), AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS and others. The show is on the ION Life TV Network which airs every day at 5:30 AM, 3:30 PM and week nights at 5:30 PM. Be sure to watch and record it!!

Structure Home has an official Press Kit that can be downloaded from the website. In addition, visit our Social Media page that shares all channels of Structure Home social media activity (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, LinkedIn, etc) on one webpage. www.StructureHome.com

/PressKit.pdf /SocialMedia.htm

https://twitter.com/StructureHome https://www.facebook.com/structurehome http://www.pinterest.com/structurehome/ http://www.houzz.com/pro/webuser-36281

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At Ferguson, find a tremendous selection of recognized plumbing, lighting and appliance brands, like Thermador. Visit our showroom and see all that Thermador has to offer, as well as our beautiful selection of home lighting. Mention this ad and receive 10% off lighting products. *Offer valid at Ferguson's Woodland Hills showroom, 6416 Variel Avenue. Does not apply to Murray Feiss products.

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Stop Cancer 5K|10K Run|Walk 2013 Help raise life-saving dollars to fund early cancer research at UCLA’s Jonsson, USC Norris and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Centers! Monies raised also help fund the USC Norris Pediatric Cancer Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA! On August 6, 2011, the owners of one of Structure Home’s preferred partner’s (Nathan and Jody Wood of Aggressive Sash & Door) daughter, Emma Wood was diagnosed with ALL (Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). After her diagnosis, Emma and her entire family decided to team up with STOP CANCER to raise money for cancer research. In 2011, Team Emma raised over $20,000.00 and had 130 people join her on the walk/run. In 2012, Team Emma raised over $23,000.00 and had over 300 people join her on the walk/run. To see 300 people all wearing their bright orange Team Emma t-shirts, walking and running together with Emma was an amazing and wonderful sight. It was such a great experience that we're putting Team Emma together again for this year’s walk/run. Emma’s 2013 goal is 400 people to walk/run on her team and reach over $20,000.00, once again. Please join Structure Home as we again support Team Emma on September 22, 2013 at Woodley Park in Van Nuys (6335 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406) and come spend the day with all of us.

SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/18xqvQD

MESSAGE FROM EMMA: http://youtu.be/8xKdFcuKJqw

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Structure Home 21101 Oxnard Street

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

www.StructureHome.com

© 2013

A special thank you to our preferred partners:

1st Century Bank Ferguson/Thermador

Aggressive Sash & Door

Boulevard Tile & Stone CJS Custom Woodworking & Design

Dynatech Security Systems Lifestyle Landscape

www.structurehome.com/directory.htm

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: alyssa@structurehome.com to find out more.