NBN Online for the week of December 18, 2006

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
Revving Up Existing Home Sales Crucial Step in Recovery
Builders Sense Tide Is Turning for Housing Demand
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Dec. 25, Jan. 1
Read Our International Builders' Show Preview on Jan. 8
Layouts for Living
'Cottage Residence' Loaded With Options
Coast to Coast
Raids at Swift Raise Questions About Employers’ Ability to Check Status
Forum
Refocus Prospects Who Are Looking for a Fire Sale
Economics & Finance
Bank Guidance Not Likely to Impede Credit Flow to Housing
Eye on the Economy: Buyer Demand May Be Stabilizing
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
Design
A Home That Disappears and Other Unusual Homes
Tips
Builder's Tip: Shop Vac Works for Hard-to-Fill Glue Ups
Business Management
Ten Must-Have Technology Trends for Today's Homes
Advice From Industry Experts: Ramp Up Sales and Marketing
50Plus Housing
The Ten Tips of Marketing an Active Adult Community
Enter the 2007 50+ Housing Design, Marketing Competition
Remodelers
Sign Up for Chairman’s Dinner at Builders’ Show
Building Systems
Gulf Coast Modular Home Show in Mississippi Jan. 9-21
Weber Feted for Concrete Industry Contributions
Education
Marketing More Relevant Than Ever: IBS Pre-Show Education
Education Calendar
Katrina
General Permits Supported for Rebuilding Mississippi
Drywall, Plywood, Shingles Needed in New Orleans
Safety
Tickets Available for Safety Awards Luncheon
Workforce housing
Affordability Gap for Renters Widens in 2006
Politics & Government
High Housing Costs a Growing Challenge for Cities
Building Products
Home Depot Acquires Chinese Home Improvement Chain
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week
Endowment
Sign Up for Estate Planning Seminar at Builders’ Show
Association News
Howard on List of Housing’s 50 Most Powerful Persons
Dell for the Holidays: Double Discounts Through Dec. 31
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
GM $500 Off Exclusive Offer for NAHB Members
Play Builders' Free Online Pro Football. Don't Drop the Ball.
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

A Home That Disappears and Other Unusual Homes

Photo Gallery, which follows, is a regular feature of NAHB HouseKeys, the consumer-oriented e-newsletter from NAHB. Photo Gallery showcases a portfolio of homes, with each feature focusing on a different theme. For this issue, which was originally published in NAHB HouseKeys on Dec. 12, Photo Gallery showcased unique and unsual homes. 


Originally built in 1957 as part of Disneyland's EPCOT center, the Monsanto House of the Future was built to depict the increasing relevance of structured-for-change environments in design and construction.

 


Crown Point Development's Harbour Homes in Laguna Harbor outside Galveston, Texas feature New Orleans-style courtyards in a unique boating community.


Michael Jantzen proposed this video beach house to be built along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif. in 1997.

Homes along specific stretches of the scenic roadway are so close together that they block travelers' views of the ocean. This home was designed to remedy the situation.

The home, which would have been built between two homes, was to have had a front facade made of television screens to display real-time or pre-recorded images and sounds of the ocean — making the entire house disappear — from the vantage point of passersby, of course.  

 

 

Built by Cundy, Santine & Associates Architects, LLC near Amery, Wis. on Lake Wappogasset in 2006, this 28-foot by 38-foot "barn" features a guest apartment and recreation area in the upper level, while the lower level houses a large finished garage and workshop. The staircase to the upper level is enclosed in a 10-foot diameter "silo." (right)


Located in Austria, dasparkhotel is a hotel made of...sewer pipes.

Guests are provided foam mattress double beds, cotton sleeping bags, a wool blanket, lighting, storage and 220V power.

A hole in the top gives guests a lovely view of the night sky. (No jokes about needed fresh air, too, please.) 

 


Located in Olalla, Wash., this Hansel and Gretel cottage has a stone bridge, a custom treehouse and five stone fireplaces.

The next Photo Gallery will showcase green homes. To submit homes for consideration, e-mail Niki Clark at NAHB. Put "Photo Gallery: Green Homes" in the subject line of the e-mail.

For more information about NAHB HouseKeys, or to subscribe, visit www.nahb.org/HouseKeys.

 


 

Attend the NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders

Mark your calendars and get the latest information on design for builders at the 2007 NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders, May 25-27 in Bellevue , Wash. 

For information, or to register, visit www.nahb.org/DesignInstitute.


 

Sponsored by
Freddie Mac

 
 
> CEO Syron Puts Housing and Economic Trends in Perspective, Rejects Charge of Systemic Risk
> The GSEs and Housing Affordability: A Necessary But Not Sufficient Condition
 
 

Sponsored by
McGraw Hill
Construction

 
 
> Find and manage projects right from your desktop.
> Get your company listed in the new McGraw-Hill Construction Directory.
 
 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> Online Registration Deadline – Jan. 5
> View the ’07 Exhibitors
> More Orlando Hotels Available