East Alabama Living Showcase Home
A cul-de-sac within the Manors, a section of White Oaks tucked behind rows of regional pines, provides the lot with beauty, privacy and security. "This lot in White Oaks provides the perfect canvas on which to paint our showcase home," says residential builder Michael Dilworth of Dilworth Developments Inc.
The developer's longstanding relationship with East Alabama Living enabled a seamless collaboration for the East Alabama Living Showcase Home. Readers can follow the home's progress by visiting the site and reading the next four issues of East Alabama Living for photos, comments from the design team and a behind-the-scenes view of the homebuilding process. Allow us to be your personal tour guide as we share the journey from conceptual idea to tangible providence for one family to enjoy.
Dilworth Developments Inc. is one of the premier construction companies in East Alabama. The builder is well versed in the business having constructed his first house at 19 years old. Dilworth has built some 200 houses in his 10-year career with the largest budget honing in around $2.5 million. However, Dilworth sees the showcase home as a more challenging project.
"It's a lot easier to build a home for a buyer with an unlimited budget. The challenge here (with the showcase home) is establishing that same quality and craftsmanship on a smaller scale and realistic budget," Dilworth says."It's about scaling down without sacrificing quality in the design, materials and overall aesthetics of the home. I think this house embodies a home that a larger portion of our demographics might need than a typical showcase home. We want this house to show that more money does not always mean better."
"We want to create something in a realistic- price range that is exceptionally special, cozy, balanced and unique," Dilworth says. Dilworth is partnering with architect Scott Fry of the Fry Design Group out of Macon, Ga., to build the custom home in the Manors section of White Oaks. "Scott can put into a drawing through God-given talent and tools what I can only envision in the end-product," Dilworth says.
Fry, a 1991 Auburn University graduate in Architecture, comes from a long line of custom homebuilders and is well-versed in the language. His grandfather, brother and six uncles are all carpenters, and his father is a retired residential contractor. "This showcase home makes for a unique collaboration in that I speak Michael's language and come to this armed with a builder's perspective. I grew up building houses with my father and brother," Fry says. "The greatest part about being an architect is problem-solving. The challenge is to design a house that balances the client's aesthetic wants and needs, but still fits within their budget."
Standing at the proverbial drawing table, Fry works to create a home without an owner, although both builder and architect would welcome a buyer early in the process. "The earlier a buyer enters the game, the more custom the home can be to that family. Our challenge right now is to create a design that is fluid enough for a family to come in and adjust to their needs and tastes," Dilworth says.
Until then, Fry works off history. "Since we do not have an owner to work with, I am generating the design based on years of experience designing houses. Cooking, eating and gathering with friends and family is an important part of life; therefore, I consider the kitchen and breakfast room the heart of the home."
The remaining rooms in the 3,700- square-foot-house have their own unique aspects. From the heart of the home, the space opens to the living room and veranda. Along with its vaulted ceiling and beams, the living room will have built-in bookcases and a fireplace. Designed to be an extension of the living room, the veranda capitalizes on the sloping, oak-shaded lot. It will have a wood ceiling, beams, an exterior fireplace and a built-in grilling area. The house will also have four bedrooms and 4½ baths along with a spacious bonus room. Because the design takes advantage of the sloping lot, the house is divided into various levels. As a result, each bedroom and bath has its own level and identity.
"You want the design to fit today's lifestyle. It should be unique and flexible enough for people to appreciate,"Fry notes.
Fry describes the exterior as a complement to the homes built in the Manors at White Oaks. The current houses convey an old world charm and distinctive English Tudor and Country French architecture.
The exterior will be a marriage of brick, stucco with exposed timbers, and stone. "We plan on having exposed rafter tails, wood brackets and a motor court with stone retaining walls. It is the small details that make a house a home."
Dilworth notes that saving trees is a priority in the White Oaks subdivision. "The first objective is to establish a footprint of the house and figure out what the grading plan will be once we are finished.
"We have to marry the grading and footprint together. Obviously, we can't have trees inside the footprint or too close. We also cannot keep trees where dirt has to be removed or added. These are the trees that are removed," Dilworth says.
With the lot clearing underway, Dilworth begins what he calls the dance. "There's a beauty in that dance to start something from scratch to watch the balance evolve between craftsmanship and process."
Fry's dance steps are thoughtfully planned. "I always try to solve all the design and construction issues before the contractor starts building." Fry says. "I strive to work through potential construction problems on paper because it is easier and far less expensive than fixing things after the builder has started building."
One thing Fry hopes to fix soon is relocating his family of four to Auburn. Married for 15 years to wife Maricha, the couple has two boys Harrison, 11, and Hayes, 6. "I want my boys to experience the positive aspects of life that I discovered while attending school at Auburn. The city of Auburn has the ‘X factor' because of the University. It provides cultural and sporting events that make it unlike any other city," Fry says, adding that he has brought to Auburn a number of high school students that were interested in studying architecture. "We will be moving this year, because I want my boys to grow up and think of Auburn as their hometown."
This article was published in East Alabama Living Magazine. View the actual article.
