By Nicole DeCosta, The Lake Oswego Review, Apr 9, 2009
Homebuilder Jeff Haggart said it best: “We like to do things that are different, not just the status quo.”
Standing beneath red lights from a curved ceiling with soffits, Haggart glows while looking around at the home his Lake Oswego company, Haggart Luxury Homes, built for a family of four off Country Club Road. The downstairs – with a restaurant-size bar, theater room, cigar area, pool table, karate studio and secret wine cellar – allows for the young children and young-at-heart to play at home.
“We’re all about innovation. We never let our guard down. We try to be on the cutting edge,” Haggart said, noting that his company tries to be inventive when it comes to technology, green practices, building science and design.
And this home is no exception. That’s why Haggart says he’s excited to share it with the public on the third-annual, free Ultimate Open House New Home Tour April 18, 19, 25, 26.
The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metropolitan Portland – which produces the tour – reiterates that now is a good time to buy a home. First-time homebuyers receive a tax credit up to $8,000, mortgage rates are at an all-time low and there’s plenty of inventory. And this tour was designed for homebuyers interested in new construction. This time around, 70 new homes – in neighborhoods throughout the metro area, some built by other Lake Oswego builders – will be accessible and, for the first time, the tour will also include high-rise condos in Portland.
“(The tour) offers astute home buyers an ideal way to obtain a comprehensive, convenient, first-hand look at Portland’s new home market,” said Dave Nielsen, the chief executive officer of HBA. “With the addition of the Pearl District and other downtown condos to our tour, there is an even wider array of homes to appeal to people’s personal taste, lifestyle, location requirements and budget.”
He continued, “Additionally, we have incorporated a number of high-performance homes that are Energy Star and Earth Advantage certified that will appeal to Portland’s passion for green-built homes.”
Haggart, on the HBA’s board of directors, said green building is the only way he builds a home. This tour home, in particular, contains:
- Radiant floor heating: This form of central heating and cooling utilizes heated water within a tubing system underneath the floor. The system utilizes a boiler that also heats the home’s hot water.
“Because the system heats up the floor and any objects in the home – instead of forcing heated air through the home – dust and allergy concerns are greatly minimized,” Haggart said.
He noted that this system is more efficient than a forced air system using a furnace because hot air isn’t pushed around the home, rising wastefully to the ceiling.
“Radiant systems avoid this issue because they heat the objects, people and flooring,” Haggart said.
- Paulson’s Floor Coverings: This local company – that sends used carpet, pads, wood products, metal, cardboard and paper products to recycling centers instead of landfills – provided carpet for the project.
- Low-VOC paint: “No oil-based paints were used in this home,” Haggart said of the paints that emit volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.
- Recycling: All construction waste was separated and recycled, Haggart said.
And although his contemporary tour home is already sold, Haggart said he views the scattered-home tour as an opportunity for locals to view the type of custom homebuilding his company is known for.
“We’ve built our business on custom homes by showing people our product,” he said.
The streamlined home nearing completion resembles a lustrous resort. See for yourself:
- Indoor/outdoor areas: One indoor/outdoor entertaining space off the kitchen utilizes a wall of glass doors that – when completely open – expose the entire room to the outdoors and create a flexible space for winter or summer entertaining. The room is complete with a fireplace, and soon, a TV and barbecue, Haggart said.
- Kitchen: The kitchen features a tri-level island in the center finished with dark honed granite; a curved portion serves as the nook table.
“It’s a different island than you’re used to seeing,” Haggart said.
Extra windows were added beneath upper cabinetry near the sink to provide more natural light.
“I changed the window configuration to open up more windows as a backsplash to allow more light into the west side of the kitchen and to allow (the homeowners) to be able to see more easily who might be arriving,” said Jayne Sanders with Jayne Sanders Interior Design, Inc., who assisted Haggart on the project.
- Mother-in-law suite: A suite near the children’s rooms upstairs has a separate private entrance via elevator and is equipped with a kitchenette, family room and bedroom suite.
“ And she has access to everything in the house – the heating, cooling and music servers,” Haggart said.
- Theater, bar, cigar room: The lower level of the home is dedicated to fun.
“They wanted a theater, but it has a dual purpose so little kids can do plays. At the same time the husband likes to play guitar and entertain,” Haggart said.
And soon, a disco ball that spins will speckle the darkened room at night.
The bar with a hidden wine cellar behind a mirrored wall and nearby pool table and cigar/game room – complete with weather-stripping and ventilation – provide a space for the kids and parents to entertain.
A cork-floored karate studio completes the space.
Haggart said his company enjoys taking the homeowner’s vision and bringing it to life.
“We spend a lot of time hearing what (homeowners) want and customizing around it,” he said. “(These homeowners) definitely wanted something different – something contemporary, new and fresh.”
And that’s what Haggart said the public would see if they take the tour.
For more information about Haggart Custom Homes, visit the Web site at www.haggarthomes.com.
