Having been to Germany several times over the last few years, I know that there are builders in this world who realize the importance of the usage of both design and functionality in residential construction.
When we first started looking at houses in the Orlando, FL area, my husband and I were both quite disappointed at the overall lack of quality and functionality of the houses we found here. It's amazing how little forethought builders use in this age. (Such is my rant on housing and other "disposable" products in the US!)
Anyway, I've read a few of Ms. Susanka's books and was thoroughly encouraged to see her theories in practice at the Showhouse. If you're in the area, it's worth the time and effort to experience the house.
Thank you Ms. Susanka for your work!
The only surprisingly bad aspect of the house was the sloppiness of some of the finishing touches. There were many places where the paint was messy (places that had obviously not been masked or touched up), and there were a lot of light and electrical outlets that were anything but straight. My thought was, "They actually paid someone for this work? I would want a refund!"
Sarah would highly recommend the builder for the showhouse, Bradford Building Corporation. Cameron Bradford was excellent to work with, and would build a fine house for anyone. You can contact them at (407) 656-6397. They are in Orlando, FL.
The showhouse will be open for tours for the next year. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 12-5pm. Here is a link to a map and directions on the showhouse site: http://www.notsobigshowhouse.com/showhouse/findus.asp
