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Josh Wynne Construction, Inc. wins Best in American Living Award – Best Green Built Home – for Codding Cottage
Las Vegas, NV January 19, 2010 — In recognition of the nation’s best new housing designs, the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) were presented at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. A Platinum award in the BALA competition was presented to Josh Wynne Construction for the Codding Cottage project.
The Codding Cottage sets the standards for quality, ingenuity, sustainable innovations, and beauty in our industry today.
The Codding Cottage is a modern compliment to the original Florida Bungalows that have made the nationally designated historic neighborhood of Laurel Park in Sarasota, Fl such a terrific place to live.
The home features a long list of the latest innovations in technology and ‘green’ construction. Innovative products, along with industry experts, have helped bring this home to a level of efficiency and sustainability not often achieved.
This home reached the rating of Platinum under the LEED for Homes v.1 scoring system. At the time of completion it was among the highest scoring homes in the nation under the LEED rating system. The main house and the carriage house were the top two highest scoring homes ever certified by Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). The home is also certified by Energy Star, Florida Yard and Neighborhood Landscape, FPL BuildSmart, and the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
The Codding Cottage is a fine example of a ‘green’ home without compromise. The architecture is traditional and keeps with the neighborhood. The home serves all of its owner’s needs and wants without being excessive or ostentatious. Sustainable construction practices, healthy product choices, energy efficient features, and water conscious design make this home as inspiring as it is beautiful.
The Codding Cottage has also won 5 Aurora Awards and 3 Grand Aurora Awards at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) in Orlando in July of 2009. Additionally, it received a Platinum award for ‘Best Green Automated Home’ at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Awards.
Sponsored by Professional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders, BALA showcases homes that demonstrate design excellence, succeed in the marketplace and exemplify the “Best in American Living.” The competition is now in its 26th year. To qualify for a 2009 award, homes must have been completed or communities opened between January 1, 2008, and July 15, 2009.
A total of 67 award winners in 37 categories were chosen. The 2009 BALA competition’s panel of 6 judges was composed of builders, architects, interior designers and Professional Builder editors.
Winners will be featured in the February issue of Professional Builder magazine. For more information on the 2009 winners, visit www.probuilder.com/BALA.
Professional Builder is a 72-year old business publication that has earned a reputation as an invaluable resource for home builders looking for business information, product news and trend data. For additional information, go to www.probuilder.com or www.housingzone.com.
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home-builder associations around the country.
For additional information on the winners, go to www.probuilder.com/bala or www.nahb.org.
Great Article on our trade partner, Concrete Countertops, Etc.
From cement and water, a niche industry is born
Josh Wynne Construction wins 8 Aurora Awards at Southeast Building Conference!
SOUTHEAST BUILDERS, DESIGNERS TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS
AURORA AWARDS
The Grammy’s of the Home Building Industry
The AURORA Awards are presented each year to builders, developers, architects, planners, interior merchandisers, landscape architects and other disciplines actively involved in projects in a 12-state southeastern region plus the Caribbean who have demonstrated building and design excellence.
This year’s winners were selected from among 80 categories by a panel of industry experts and were honored at the 30th Annual AURORA Awards Gala/Spectacular on Saturday evening, August 1, 2009, at the Southeast Building Conference in Orlando, Florida. View the winners of the 2009 Aurora Award.
Now in its 30th year, the AURORA Awards program is affiliated with the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), one of two regional trade shows recognized by and affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Josh Wynne Construction won an Aurora in the following catagories for his work on the Codding Cottage:
Best Natural Gas
Best Energy Efficient
Best Water Wise
Best Green Construction Affordable Housing
Best Green Construction Custom Home
Josh Wynne Construction also won 3 Grand Auroras for:
Best Natural Gas
Best Energy Efficient
Best Green Construction Affordable Housing
LEED Platinum Article in Builder Magazine
We are so proud of our exposure in a NATIONAL publication. Read the article here!
Feds boost the energy tax credit for remodeling projects
Both are part of the latest economic-stimulus package signed by President Obama on Feb. 17. But while lawmakers saw fit to boost the buyer tax credit by a mere $500, they tripled the benefit available for the remodeling tax credit.
Under the old remodeling credit, which was part of the economic-rescue package enacted last fall, homeowners could claim a credit equal to 10 percent of the cost of energy-efficient windows, doors, roofing, insulation, furnaces, air-conditioning systems and heat pumps.
You could claim 10 percent of the cost of each product, up to a lifetime cap of $500.
But like builders, who argued that the original $7,500 credit for first-time buyers wasn’t enough to bring people back into the housing market, especially because it had to be paid back, remodelers maintained that the energy credit wasn’t sufficient to persuade owners to pull the trigger, either.
So Congress upped the ante, raising the per-item credit to 30 percent of the cost and boosting the lifetime ceiling to $1,500. It also extended the deadline for making the improvements through the end of 2010.
What’s more, the act is retroactive to Jan. 1, so if a product that met the previous criteria — the rules in effect between Jan. 1 and Feb. 17 — was purchased and installed during that period, it still qualifies for the larger bonus.
(A tax credit differs from a tax deduction in that it reduces the amount of tax you have to pay. For example, if you owe $800 in taxes and earn a $300 credit, you will owe only $500. Or if you owe nothing, you will get a $300 refund. A deduction, on the other hand, reduces the amount of income subject to tax. So if your taxable income is $35,000 and you have a $500 deduction, your taxable income is reduced to $34,500. If you owe no federal income taxes, however, you cannot claim the credit. Because the home-improvement credit is nonrefundable, as is now the home-buyer tax credit, you can’t get back more than you paid in taxes throughout the year.)
The stimulus package also expanded the list of permissible improvements by including solar-energy panels and water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind-energy systems and fuel cells. Moreover, while the 30 percent credit applies to the added products, there is no cap on their cost, and the credit is available through 2016.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the new provisions should generate an estimated $6 billion in remodeling work by the end of next year. And remodelers are waiting for their phones to ring.
“We are more than ready to help our clients make their homes more energy efficient,” says Greg Miedema, a Tucson, Ariz., contractor who chairs the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodelers Council.
Better yet, industry research suggests that remodeling and retrofitting the nation’s older homes will have a more significant impact in reducing residential energy consumption than meeting even the most aggressive efficiency goals for new homes.
A study last year in California found that homes built before 1983 were responsible for 70 percent of the greenhouse emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption. The same study also said that retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding further energy-efficient requirements on new construction.
Here are some other things you should know about the federal tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements:
Labor. Installation costs are covered for some — but not all — improvements. For windows, doors, insulation and new roofs, only the cost of materials is eligible for the credit.
Installation costs are covered for HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems, as well as solar water heaters, solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, wind-energy systems and fuel cells.
The credit for HVAC systems and non-solar water heaters is 30 percent of the cost of the product plus installation costs, up to $1,500. It is the same for solar water heaters, solar panels, wind-energy systems and fuel cells, except that there is no maximum.
Not covered. A number of the simplest steps homeowners can take to improve efficiency are not eligible for the rebate. They include changing or adding refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners, insulated siding, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, electric storage-tank water heaters and electric tankless water heaters.
Windows and doors. Window components, such as sashes, do not qualify. You must purchase an entire window unit.
Sliding-glass patio doors and French doors are eligible as long as they meet certain criteria. Insulated garage doors are eligible, too, as long as they meet the same criteria. In all cases, receipts and the manufacturer’s certification statement for your taxes should be saved.
Ratings. Under Energy Star, a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, more than 50 product categories of appliances are labeled as to their efficiency. Generally, a household that spends $2,000 annually on energy can save more than $700 by choosing Energy Star-labeled products over those that don’t carry the familiar yellow label.
However, not all products — doors and windows, for example — that earn an Energy Star rating qualify for a credit. So be sure to check carefully before you choose one over another. See energystar.gov/index. cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for a complete breakdown of product-eligibility requirements.
In some instances, moreover, the credit is available only for most efficient models, which typically cost more than standard products. But this is a good thing, according to Miedema of the Remodelers Council, who believes the credit tends to make the efficient choice the most cost-effective choice in the long run.
“When you have a choice between an HVAC unit that is super-efficient but costs a lot more than a standard unit, most homeowners are going to choose the standard unit unless they can see themselves saving money within a few years,” he says.
Financing. Energy Star does not provide financing, but many of its partners do. These include state energy offices, manufacturers themselves and local utility companies, which may also offer rebates.
Homeowners can claim the credits on IRS Form 5695. Contractors need not provide you with product sales receipts to verify your claim, but you should retain the following for your records as backup:
Name and address of the manufacturer.
Identification of the component.
Make, model and other appropriate identifiers.
Statement that the product meets the tax-credit standards.
Climate zone for which the criteria are satisfied.
A declaration that the certification statement is true.
Lew Sichelman has been covering real estate for more than 30 years. He is a regular contributor to numerous shelter magazines and housing and housing-finance-industry publications. Copyright 2009, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
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The LEEDing Edge of Green Certifications
First LEED Platinum Home in the State of Florida (LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification from the USGBC) Second in the entire US. and highest Scoring FGBC (Florida Green Building Coalition) Certified Green Home In the State.
(PRWEB) March 13, 2009 — The Grand Opening of Codding Cottage was spectacular, not only were people flowing in the door but also they were buying! Josh Wynne, president of Josh Wynne Construction, is inundated with contracts for new homes. The word is out that if you build it green they will come and being the first in the state of Florida to achieve the prestigious LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification from US. Green Building Council is a huge accomplishment for any builder.
Furthermore, it is the second LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification in the United States! Mr. Wynne is quick to give recognition to all his subcontractors stating, “I couldn’t have done it without my green team!” Nevertheless, the certifications did not stop here; the carriage house located on the property is the new highest scoring home ever scored by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). With a score of 267 out of 300 this amazing home easily surpassed the previous record of 234. The main house received an FGBC score of 237 out of 300 making the Codding Cottage and its carriage house the number one and number two highest scoring homes in the state. This incredible home is also certified by Energy Star, FPL’s Build Smart program, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Landscape, and the National Wildlife Federation.
“This home really does set the standard for Certified Green Homes not only here but around the nation!” stated Drew Smith, LEED AP and Certifying Agent on the home from Two Trails, Inc. – Green Building Consulting. “Our company has experience in taking residential and commercial builders like Josh to the level of certification they would like to obtain easily. We make the entire process turnkey.”
“Home buyers are looking for quality and price, we hear it every day, and I just gave them what they wanted. I showed the homebuyers how they would save money with my design from day one and into the future. They didn’t come in looking for a “green” home, they came looking to save money and they will!” stated Mr. Wynne.
When you walk into the cracker style home, located in the National Historic Neighborhood of Laurel Park in downtown Sarasota, you “feel” something is different. The house emits warmth found not only in the design, but also in the aged materials that have been recycled and reused in a manner that “fits” like a glove with the new construction. The pantry doors become a conversation piece, the flooring is stunning and the attention to the smallest details start to pop out to any prospective homebuyer.
Codding Cottage designed and built for its owner Phil Carey, whose interest in planes gave Mr. Wynne the inspiration for the rails on the steps. “I like to bring the personality of the owner into my homes, it gives them ownership and the homeowner knows it is a one of a kind home built for them.”
Mr. Wynne was proud of his accomplishment, and we as Floridians get to share in that pride for each home that is built in this manner helps save our natural resources. When asked if it was hard to do, Mr. Wynne replied, “It was a learning curve, but I have always been environmentally conscious, so it wasn’t a big leap in theory for me to know this was the right way to build a home.”
Members of the “green team” were Dale Parks of Siebert Architects prepared the architectural concept. Drew Smith of Two Trails, Inc. was the LEED AP and FGBC accrediting agent (residential, commercial offices in FL, NC and GA). Dennis Stroer of Calcs-Plus was the Energy Rater and prepared the Energy Star certification as well as the Builder’s Challenge entry. All green system designs and specifications were done by Josh Wynne of Josh Wynne Construction, Inc. More information about this home and other upcoming exciting green homes can be viewed at Two Trails, Inc.- Green Building Consulting (http://www.twotrails.net) or www.joshwynneconstruction.com.
2009 Mark of Excellence Winner!
Josh Wynne Construction proudly congratulates Smarthouse Integration for their Platinum award in the Best Green Project category which features our own Codding Cottage! The Mark of Excellence Awards recognizes products and companies in the forefront of innovation in the home automation industry. Click here for a full list of winners.
Sarasota Builder Builds Greenest Home in Florida
FIRST LEED PLATINUM HOME in the State of Florida
(LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification from the USGBC)
SECOND in the entire US!
and
HIGHEST Scoring FGBC Certified Green Home In the State!
CONTACT: Josh Wynne, (941) 355-7045, email: josh@joshwynneconstruction.com
Website: www.joshwynneconstruction.com
The LEEDING EDGE of Green Certifications!
The Grand Opening of Codding Cottage was spectacular, not only were people flowing in the door but also they were buying! Josh Wynne, president of Josh Wynne Construction, is inundated with contracts for new homes. The word is out that if you build it green they will come and being the FIRST in the state to achieve the prestigious LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification from US. Green Building Council is a huge accomplishment for any builder.
Furthermore, it is the SECOND LEED for Homes Platinum v.1 certification in the United States! Mr. Wynne is quick to give recognition to all his subcontractors stating, “I couldn’t have done it without my green team!” Nevertheless, the certifications did not stop here; the carriage house located on the property is the new highest scoring home ever scored by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). With a score of 267 out of 300 this amazing home easily surpassed the previous record of 234. The main house received an FGBC score of 237 out of 300 making the Codding Cottage and its carriage house the number one and number two highest scoring homes in the state. This incredible home is also certified by Energy Star, FPL’s Build Smart program, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods landscape, and the National Wildlife Federation.
“Homebuyers are looking for quality and price, we hear it every day, and I just gave them what they wanted. I showed the homebuyers how they would save money with my design from day one and into the future. They didn’t come in looking for a “green” home, they came looking to save money and they will!” stated Mr. Wynne.
When you walk into the cracker style home, located in the National Historic Neighborhood of Laurel Park in downtown Sarasota, you “feel” something is different. The house emits warmth found not only in the design, but also in the aged materials that have been recycled and reused in a manner that “fits” like a glove with the new construction. The pantry doors become a conversation piece, the flooring is stunning and the attention to the smallest details start to pop out to any prospective homebuyer.
Codding Cottage designed and built for its owner Phil Carey, whose interest in planes gave Mr. Wynne the inspiration for the rails in on the steps. “I like to bring the personality of the owner into my homes, it gives them ownership and the homeowner knows it is a one of a kind home built for them.”
Mr. Wynne was proud of his accomplishment, and we as Floridians get to share in that pride for each home that is built in this manner helps save our natural resources. When asked if it was hard to do, Mr. Wynne replied, “It was a learning curve, but I have always been environmentally conscious, so it wasn’t a big leap in theory for me to know this was the right way to build a home.”
Members of the “green team” were Dale Parks of Siebert Architects who prepared the architectural concept. Drew Smith of Two Trails, Inc. was the LEED AP and FGBC accrediting agent. Dennis Stroer of Calcs-Plus was the Energy Rater and prepared the Energy Star certification as well as the Builder’s Challenge entry. All green system designs and specifications were done by Josh Wynne of Josh Wynne Construction, Inc. More information about this home and other upcoming exciting green homes can be viewed at www.joshwynneconstruction.com.