Created as a reinterpretation of the classic white box-style design of the ’60s and ’70s made popular by such architects as Le Corbusier and Richard Meier, The New American Home 2012 (TNAH) will be greener, smarter — and smaller — than TNAHs of the past.

Now under construction in Winter Park, Fla., about 30 minutes from the site of the 2012 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando on Feb. 8-11, TNAH 2012 is on schedule to be completed in December.

“At 4,181 square feet, it is smaller than previous TNAHs,” said architect and builder Phil Kean of Phil Kean Designs in Winter Park. “It will be displayed as a two-bedroom floor plan that will appeal to empty nesters and will have four additional rooms that can be converted to bedrooms if desired.” Read More

The demarcation between indoor and outdoor living is often blurred in Florida, perhaps even more so when the home owners live on a 12-acre site overlooking one of the Sunshine State’s ubiquitous lakes.

While their 8,276-square-foot home has a covered patio and outdoor pool, its owners specifically requested that the design-build firm Phil Kean Designs, Inc., of Winter Park, Fla., create a resort-like grand master bedroom on the second floor, replete with an 800-square-foot bathroom that opens onto a covered lanai facing the lake. ... Read More

NAHB has officially opened online registration for the 2012 NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS), the largest annual light construction tradeshow in the world, with special offers for free exhibit passes, free spouse registration and more.

IBS, considered the building industry’s premier event, will be held in Orlando on Feb. 8-11.

"The NAHB International Builders' Show is the biggest event of its kind for our industry," said Larry Swank, chairman of the NAHB Conventions & Meetings Committee. "I don't know anywhere else where you can find such high-level networking opportunities, a wide variety of education sessions and an unbelievable showcase of the latest cutting-edge products, all in one location." ... Read More

NAHB will launch a new monthly economic indicator — the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) — that will track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health.

The initial list of improving markets will be unveiled on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

After the initial release, the IMI will be released on the fourth business day of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET, unless that day falls on a Friday, in which case the index will be released the following Monday.

The new indicator measures three sets of independent monthly data —  employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); house price growth data from Freddie Mac; and single-family housing permit growth data from the U.S. Census Bureau — to determine the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).

A metro area must show improvement in all three data sets for at least six months following its respective trough before being included on the improving markets list.

To sign up to receive NAHB press releases on the IMI and other topics, visit www.nahb.org/erelease.

For in-depth analysis of the latest housing statistics and research from the federal government, NAHB and other sources, visit NAHB's Eye on Housing blog at http://eyeonhousing.wordpress.com.

As they commemorate Associate Member Appreciation Month during September, home builders associations around the country will honor suppliers, service providers and other associate members who do business with home builders and remodelers.

From banks to accounting firms, landscapers to electronic systems installers and more, associate members represent the depth and breadth of the industry and the positive economic impact it has on the community, said Ann Garvey, chair of NAHB’s Associate Members Committee.

HBAs across the country will be honoring associate members with special recognition during dinner and luncheon meetings, official proclamations, discounts, coupons and the “Do Business With a Member” campaign. ... Read More