The home is set on a minimum of 12” of 3/4” crushed rock; a minimum 36” x 12” spread footing keeps the home stable in a clay environment. In the stone, there are 4” footing drains, both inside and out, that meet a 6” schedule 40 PVC external drain, which drains out to zero to allow positive flow away from the home in the event of unusual rainfall. In the foundation, there are two layers of #5 rebar each way in the 12” foundation walls. Once above the basement; the walls are made with a 2” foam system on each side of the wall and a 5” concrete wall with #5 rebar 12” o/c vertically and 16” horizontally. Over the exterior foam was added another 2” of foam for a total foam width of approximately 6”.
For the basement slab, there is a minimum of 5” of 4000# concrete over two layers of jumbo wire placed over a minimum of 12” of 3/4” crushed rock. This layer includes 4” PVC drainpipes leading to drainage below grade 50 feet from the house. A 4” PVC pipe is also vented to the roof for radon evacuation. Between the two layers of jumbo-wire is placed a geothermal, hydronic heated floor system divided into seven different zones; each zone is separately controlled. Inside the basement, a 2x4 wall system with drywall frames the walls. On the exterior of the basement concrete walls, sheets of W.R. Meadows Mel-Rol are used for waterproofing. Over the Mel-Rol, 4” of foam was placed for insulation, and a minimum of 12” of gravel was placed within 12” of grade.
The roof framing system is made with engineered trusses, each strapped to the concrete with a strap embedded in the concrete wall in a manner consistent with Florida hurricane code. Over the truss system is a 5/8” plywood underlayment with a complete ice and water shield over the entire roof system. The fascia is made from PVC plastic to help maintain the home’s longevity and will require little maintenance other than cleaning. The final roof system is a metal, high-impact shingle roof with a 50-year warranty on the materials. There is 6” of closed-cell spray foam insulation on the underside of the structural roof system, creating an extremely tight air barrier for the entire home and significantly enhancing the roof’s strength.
All windows are by Serious Windows and have a quadruple pane of 1.25 inches thick. Each window has a comparative R-value of 9. The HVAC system is a state-of-the-art Bosch Geothermal System (CDI Series, Model SM). This unit has a two-stage motor and won the highest rating for efficiency over all other units on the market in 2016. These units have an efficiency rating of 32 EER at a low speed (Electrical Efficiency Rating); at high speed, the rating is 22 EER. All units have electrostatic air filtering and the ability to control humidity. All thermostats are fully functional, and Honeywell is connected to the home’s WiFi system.
Usually, these units only need to run at a low speed. These units have a 10-year labor and materials warranty. Multiple zones and controls are throughout the house, including the in-law apartment with a geothermal system. The water heater is an “on-demand” propane system supplemented by the geothermal system.
The basement and the garages have seven hydronic heating zones (Concrete floor, heating system). Four zones are in the basement, and three are in the garages. These zones are all heated through the geothermal system.
Around the perimeter of the foundation, 3 tons of piping for the geothermal heating and cooling system were placed, along with another ton or so down the main sewer line, to take advantage of the depth of the pipe, which was 8’-10’ deep in addition to the 20 tons of wells dug for the system and another 3 tons, which were laid behind the retaining wall below the driveway on the north side of the house to run the heating/cooling system for the in-law apartment.
The exterior finishes include a waterproof stucco system called Dryvit, installed by Kansas City’s Dryvit contractor, Reynolds Construction (Dryvit is commonly referred to today as EIFS). Natural travertine tiles are used to create exterior accent panels. Kansas-native limestone columns, windowsills, ledges, and accents are used on the remainder of the exterior. All exterior and interior handrails and decorative gates were custom-designed and fabricated using solid metal by Austin Iron Works.
The exterior doors were custom-designed and milled by Kerr Millwork. These doors are made with sapele (a tropical African wood resembling Mahogany and with unique properties to withstand inclement weather). They are 2 3/4” thick. All the glass in the doors has the same rating as the windows and is custom installed by Kerr Millwork in the wood frame. The exterior door hardware is custom-made by Rocky Mountain Hardware, and 7 of those can be remotely controlled.
Serious Windows are the same windows used in the Empire State Building for energy efficiency. These windows provided the highest energy efficiency systems possible during this construction. They are three times more energy efficient than all the leading window suppliers in the area. The Serious Window Company is now named Alpen Windows.
The lower rear porch is covered with 1 1/8” travertine tile, over a minimum of 4” of concrete with a minimum of 4” of gravel to assist in drainage of water away from the deck and a minimum of 2” of foam to prevent freeze/thaw cycles from heaving the deck. Over the lanai is a cedar-framed system with internal metal connections. The upper porches are made with structural, galvanized steel, galvanized metal deck, #5 rebar, 12” on center, each way, and 4” minimum 4000# air-entrained concrete. The upper decks are concrete connected to the galvanized metal primary support system to support the Dryvit ceiling and in-porch gutter systems. The front entry and rear lanai are made with structural concrete, 8” thick, and two layers of #5 rebar, 12” centered each way.
The pool, designed by Aquatic Consultants in Florida, is a 20’x40’ concrete reinforced wall system installed over 4” of foam over a minimum of 8” of 3/4” crushed rock with an under-pool drainage system to help maintain the pool’s stability. The 4” layer of foam lining underneath and around the external wall maintain the internal temperature of the pool without heat-sinking to the surrounding soil. The pool has a complete internal drainage system and is capped off on the top with a black granite edge leveled to allow for an entire perimeter infinity overflow system. The pool is completely lined with imported cobalt glass tiles with an iridescent patina installed with epoxy thin-set and is finished with black epoxy grout.
The pool cleaning and plumbing system is state-of-the-art, enabling automatic filling, cleaning, heating, and chlorine production (provided the salt concentration is maintained within broad limits). This computer-controlled system uses three chemical sensors and a temperature sensor to automatically measure the pool water and adjust the chemistry. The pool water can be changed (filtered) with the pump systems in about 3 hours and is a fully automated salt system with a fully automated chemical monitoring system. The pool heater can easily maintain the desired water temperature during the colder seasons.
A cover is placed in the winter, and the temperature can drop, but the heat has never started automatically to prevent freezing. The pool also has a “walkable” cover system and a custom, “over the water” insulated system to maintain the water at a constant level during the entire winter with minimal or no heat. If pool drainage is necessary, it can be done without pumps as the bottom drain effluent pipe is set below ground, far enough for gravity to drain it.
The inside of the home is finished to a level 5 drywall finish. All trim (except where large sheets are needed) is installed and painted with poplar wood. Over 350 cabinet boxes comprise the two full kitchens and a third kitchen in the in-law apartment, along with the custom-designed vanities with solid surfaces and under-mount sinks in each bathroom. The wood floors are made with 6” long board (6’ and longer), rift and quartered, white oak, supplied by Kerr Millwork. The basement and parts of each floor are finished with commercial grade carpet tiles. The bathrooms are tiled in either marble or travertine, with custom glass shower doors and hardware. The interior wood doors are custom, 1 ¾” solid, poplar doors with high-end Emtek hardware systems throughout.
Each bedroom has a full bath and closet for five full baths in the main house. There is potential for a 6 th full bath in the lower level (plumbed and finished except tile and fixtures). The in-law’s apartment has a full bath. Each bath in the main house is handicap accessible, with full access to each room or area, including the porches. Remi has a hydraulic three-stop elevator in the home, which is finished to match the main finishes. The stairs are made of 1” white oak, stained treads with painted risers, and solid metal wrought iron rails.
The house has extensive low-voltage systems, including all lighting control switching, sound- systems, and alarm controls. The HVAC system is a state-of-the-art, four Bosch geothermal AC system with multiple zones and controls throughout the house, including the in-law apartment. The water heater is an “on-demand” propane system supplemented by warm water from the geothermal system. Hot water is pumped through insulated pipes in the house for hotel-type “instant” hot water.
A complete security system with cameras covers the front gate, the surroundings of the house, and the pool. The Security System on doors and windows can be controlled by mobile phones. A Vantage Lighting System is installed throughout the home, allowing multiple controls with an attractive single gang light switch.
A home automation system controls all entertainment, heating-air, lighting, and significant pool functions and opens and locks the gate, five outer doors, and security. Panasonic’s phone system allows communication with the front gate and allows the user to send a phone to any room in the home. There is a hardwire network and WiFi throughout the house. An outdoor WiFi extender covers the pool area outside the house. The barn has WiFi. A Cell Phone repeater communicates with a commercial cell tower and connects with the WiFi system to provide uninterrupted cell coverage in the home.