The New American Home is one of two urban homes that exemplify the "re-gentrification" movement toward in-city housing.

New and Remodeled Show Homes Go Urban at IBS

Two show homes — one a new construction, the other a remodel — are the featured NAHB showcase homes at the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Both homes, The New American Home and The Renewed American Home, are on adjacent home sites in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District, which was developed between 1905 and 1925 near downtown Orlando. The homes themselves were built on an infill site overlooking Lake Eola.

The New American Home was built to add a contemporary flair to the historic neighborhood and The Renewed American Home demonstrates what can be done with today’s technology and building advances to update older homes.

Both homes demonstrate the latest ideas in universal design, energy efficiency and technology — including the extensive integration of various low-voltage systems such as home-run structured wiring, whole-house lighting control, entertainment and security.

Tours of the homes are available from Wednesday, Feb. 7, to Saturday, Feb. 10. Free shuttle buses to the show homes will run from the Orange County Convention Center. ...

Supreme Court to Hear NAHB Case on Clean Water Permits

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear NAHB v. Defenders of Wildlife, reviewing a lower court ruling that would add new requirements for states that want to administer Clean Water Act permitting programs — and result in additional expenses that would be passed on to home buyers.

The court’s decision is great news for NAHB members, said NAHB President David Pressly. “We are advocates for home buyers,” he said. “We need to do what we can to avoid repetitive, unnecessary regulations.”

The issue centers on the transfer of the Clean Water Act permitting program from federal regulators to the state of Arizona. The Defenders of Wildlife say that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not consider the needs of endangered species before it decided to transfer authority to the state. ...

Special International Builders’ Show Issue

This issue of Nation’s Building News previews many of the new products, technologies, classes and events that you can attend, see and sample at the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando next month.

Plus, there also are photos and floor plans of The New American Home and The Renewed American Home for you to enjoy before you visit.

Save this issue for reference until you get to the show.  

Extensive reports from IBS will begin appearing following the show beginning with the Feb. 19 edition.

Register online by Jan. 25.

Avoid the Lines, Register Online for IBS by Jan. 25

Online registration for the 2007 International Builders’ Show in Orlando has been extended until Jan. 25.

The show will run from Feb. 7-10, with pre-show education beginning Saturday, Feb. 3.

Register online and avoid the long lines of registering onsite. Register online and all you have to do once you're in Orlando is walk up to one of the Advanced Registration Counters to pick up your badge.

Register online now because, after Jan. 25, you will have to register onsite.

Click here to register today.

NAHB Research Center Lab Tripling Its Size

Construction of the NAHB Research Center's new, state-of-the-art product testing laboratory and market research facility continues, part of a major expansion to support its consultation services on building products and keep pace with the changing needs of the home building industry.

There is currently a wide array of obstacles to moving new products into the housing market, a situation the Research Center is working to improve with its quality testing and technology and market research. Since breaking ground in September, the center has forged ahead with an ambitious schedule to complete construction and open the building for tours during the NAHB Board of Directors meeting in Washington this spring. ...