The study also cites a possible link with health problems caused by the emission of hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde from Chinese drywall.

The good news for homeowners in Florida is that this study now opens the door for federal assistance on re mediating the problem.

related link: AP

Here’s some with a Halloween theme:

and here’s some other curious and creative works of edible architecture

Please excuse the middle of the day photos, but I was driving by today and thought it would be great to share updated photos on the progress of Dellagio.

If you’re one of those people who’d like to consider your house a work of art, you may be interested in the Nautilus House created by bioarchitect Javier Senosiain in 2006. It truly is a work of art, although you may want to make a little less of a statement. It’s definitely not gonna go over so well with the homeowner’s association, but if you’ve got a plot of land overlooking the ocean or mountains or something then this could be the home that makes you stand out from the pact.

World Architecture News describes it as “The metaphor was to feel like an internal inhabitant of a snail, like a mollusk moving from one chamber to another, like a symbiotic dweller of a huge fossil maternal cloister. This home social life flows inside the Nautilus without any division, a harmonic area in three dimensions where you can notice the continuous dynamic of the fourth dimension when moving in spiral over the stairs with a feeling of floating over the vegetation”.

I was never gonna come up with a description like that, so I decided quote their description. In any case, I really like it because I’m one kooky son of a gun or more of a real estate geek than I thought. Whether or not I’d live in the darn thing is another argument altogether. It would definitely make a nice beach house somewhere in New Smyrna, Melbourne, or Ponce Inlet and everyone in Central Florida would know about it.

I guess the question of the day is would you live in the Nautilus House? As crazy as it sounds, I think I would depending on the price. Some family in Mexico definitely would because they’ve been living in it since 2006. I wonder how it would do for resale. Probably not so good, but you can always say your house is a work of art and no one could argue. Anytime someone asks if you’ve been living in a shell, you can always say yes and have an excuse for not being up on current events.

see video: Nautilus House

Here’s a video of ESPN featuring the home of ex Orlando Magic star Tracy McGrady on a show a called The Life .

This t-mackin home was originally built for golf legend Payne Stewart by architect John Henry along the shores of Lake Pocket on Charles E. Limpus Road right here in Dr. Phillips. Henry called his creation Villa Serena because it was designed to offer privacy, security, and a sublime spirit.

It truly is one of the most majestic homes in Orlando with Henry’s signature palladium arches, abundant stone and plaster details, and influences from the Mediterranean Revival and Italian Baroque architectural styles. I’m not sure if the architect would describe it this way, but it’s macadocious.

related post: Former Home of Payne Stewart and Tracy McGrady

The construction of Palazzo del Lago located at 9602 Chase Road in Windermere was commissioned by Bettie Whitaker who is the divorced wife of local time share tycoon David Siegel. This property built in 1994 along the shores of Lake Butler encompasses 3 stories, 20,639 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a heliport, a lavish elevator, and extensive marble imported from Spain and Italy. Renaissance style statues like the one pictured here surround the entire perimeter of the property giving it a feel of a home from the Gilded Age.

Wait, there’s more. A 2,052 square foot lake house is situated intimately close to the lake featuring extensive glass to afford panoramic views of Lake Butler. It’s surrounded by a blanket of age old oaks that give an old Florida feel. I think the views from the boat house are probably better than the ones from the main residence. Frankly, the guest house is my dream house but being able to pay the property taxes which are just a hair over $100,000 could pose a problem for me.

Michael Jackson supposedly once offered $75 million for the property only to be denied. I’d imagine he was told to beat it.

Construction was completed by Capri Contractors, but were sued for $1.5 million by Bettie Whitaker in 1999 for leaking roofs and windows according to the Orlando Business Journal. That’s a lot of leaking, but in any case, it’s never been for sale and these photos are about a close as you’re gonna get. I’d love to see what the interior is like. I sure would like to get an invite to one of those fancy soirées they have there. I’d settle for a chance to photograph the darn thing.

see virtual tour: QTVR of Lake Butler taken by Ed Fink of Big Eye in the Sky

WonderWorks has got to be the only upside down house around town and it’s right here in SW Orlando on International Drive. It’s a neoclassically designed building except for the obvious fact that the darn thing’s upside down.

Neoclassical architecture began in the mid 18th century as a reaction to Rococo style and an outgrowth of the Baroque style. It’s derived from classic Greek architecture and it is the architecture exemplified in the capital building of our great nation. How can you not like that. It’s far out man.

The place is actually an interactive museum with over 100 interactive exhibits including laser tag, a magic show, and dinner show. You can land the space shuttle, pilot fighter jets, explore the outer reaches of the universe in an Astronaut space suit, feel what it’s like to be in an earthquake, feel what it’s like to be in a desert war, lay on a bed of nails, or design a roller coaster and ride it. There’s no shortage of stuff to do here and it’s a groovy little place.

The 2008 International Builders Show is now underway at the Orlando Convention Center and will continue until the 16th. One of the homes that premieres at this event is the 2008 New American Home which is an embodiment of cutting edge design, innovative building materials, and the latest technologies in the building industry. The 6,725 square foot design by Dan Sater of Sater Design is located on the lake in the Waters Edge section of Lake Nona Country Club off Narcoossee Road. I’ve actually purchased a Sater Design plan myself and a big fan. Two Orlando companies contributed to this project. Robb & Stucky did the interior design and Robertson Homes did the construction.

The Gulf Coast facade graces the symmetrical H pattern plan that lends itself to generous outdoor living areas and takes advantage of the stunning lake views. Sater incorporated a lot of shared spaces in the plan and blurs the distinction between outdoor and indoor living. The upstairs theater in the design can also incorporates a game room feel with a pool table and the fireplace and wetbar make it more of a gathering space. French doors that lead to the balcony with outdoor kitchen makes it feel like it’s part of the room providing a more spacious appeal.

The master bedroom is located on the main level and Sater believes it to be a place for sleeping and privacy so he’s kept the shape of the room quite simple by making it just a square room. The adjacent master bath triggers multiple senses with a waterfall, jetted tub, coffee bar, and fireplace giving it a spa like appeal.

Green building is one of the key focuses on the property and makes the most efficient use of the 6,725 with solar and other high efficiency energy technologies. Aerated concrete blocks which achieve an R-8 insulation value without any insulation being added were used and with foam insulation achieves a R-20 value. The estimated electric bill is a mere $150 per month and uses 42% less energy than a comparable property without such energy saving technologies.

The 2008 New American Home is supposedly up for sale and can be had for just $4.8 million. Such a stiff price tag should ensure that this home stays on the market for quite some time. The 2007 New American Home is still up for sale at $4 million. Perhaps the market is telling us that green building is something we all desire but not willing to pay a premium for. Regardless, I love the innovations the building industry is making and just taking a look at such magnificent properties.

view image gallery: 2008 New American Home

download pdf: floorplan of first level
floorplan of second level

Imagine the looks you’d get pulling one of these bad boys to a tailgate party or trailer park. I think it’ll make a nice little clubhouse in my backyard. A sort of a home away from home. These little guys are also better for the environment too because of the obvious lack of materials required for buildings and they also incorporate a lot of recycled and green materials in the construction. If you want one, it only takes 2 to 3 months to build.

Company founder Jay Shafer has been living in a home that’s less than 100 square feet since he founded the company because of his concern of the impact a larger home would have on the environment and his desire to avoid having to maintain unused spaces. Kudos for having such passion for the environment or just plain laziness. I can’t say I could pull it off.

Video of Tumbleweed Tiny House

Click here to view the embedded video.

Having a home can be as easy as a push of a button. The Illy Push Button Home designed by Adam Kalkin is a home built within a shipping container. You press a button and in 90 seconds, viola. The container transforms into a home complete with a kitchen, dining area, bedroom, living room, and library. Talk about making it easy to move. The only thing I don’t get is where the roof is supposed to be. Anyway, I’m sure they can figure it out later. I just love the unique concept.

original post found on MoCo Loco

Click here to view the embedded video.