How It Works

“People think that it’s this veneer – that the designers are handed this box and told, ‘Make this look good!’. That’s not what we think design is.  It’s not just what it looks like and feels like.   Design is how it works.”

- Steve Jobs

Although volumes have been written in the pursuit of defining “good design”, the above quote, taken from page 10 of the book Design Is How It Works by Jay Greene, may be the best summary of that elusive definition that I’ve found.  Makes sense – considering the source.

However, if you think about it, this quote can be reduced to that age old adage, “Form vs. Function”. That is really what he’s saying isn’t it?  Form without Function doesn’t make good design.  It may look great, but if it doesn’t work, what use is it?

Although I never thought of it in exactly those terms, that really is at the heart of the design/build philosophy of project delivery.  Unless the architect and his team of professionals seamlessly collaborate with the builder and his team of professionals, the “how it works” part remains illusive.  Frankly, the Jurassic method of employing the architect to oversee the builder is woefully inadequate.  You would think that with modern technology that method of project delivery would be as efficient as ever.  Not so.  Technology has quickly advanced construction materials and methods at a pace and breadth beyond what the architect and builder can master together, much less separately.  Add the rapid adoption rate of BIM (Building Information Modeling) to the equation, and it becomes even more apparent the need – or better yet, requirement – for better, more efficient team collaboration.

Accepting the requirement for collaborative design/build, there is no way to execute this philosophy better than within the walls of the true design/build firm.  Separately, the architect and builder will always rest on their primal need for self preservation.  In other words, at the end of the day, the architect ultimately only cares about his reputation and his business, and the same goes for the builder.  Within the true design/build firm, this basic conflict is removed as neither discipline is more important than the other, and the client is the ultimate winner.  Finally, when the designer and builder are united in matrimony, they can give birth to their twins “Form” and “Function” and ultimately, the project (home) not only looks great, but IT WORKS great also.  Ahhhh – triumph!

Autodesk® Revit® Architecture

We have a new secret weapon here at Jenkins Custom Homes: Autodesk® Revit® Architecture.  According to the website: “Autodesk® Revit® Architecture building information modeling (BIM) software helps architects and designers gain a competitive advantage with tools that enable you to design freely, keep information better coordinated, and deliver more efficiently.”

For our residential designers, this means that “From conception to construction documentation, [they can] design projects within an intuitive environment.”  For our clients, it means it is now possible to see – and experience (through virtual reality) – their developing home before the design is even completed!  According to Jenkins Vice-President, Bethany Jenkins, “It’s pretty amazing…The design of a home can now happen faster and clients can get real time feedback.”

Beyond 3D modeling, with Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, our residential designers can produce “photo-realistic” drawings like the one seen here.  This is especially helpful for our clients who are not local.  We can email screen shots and drawings of their home as the design develops.

Except for the picture above, all of these are drawings of homes that are currently in the design phase or are already under construction here at Jenkins Custom Homes.

The Benefits Of In-House Design

In the custom home industry, there are basically two delivery methods: design/build and traditional bid and build.  Among design/build firms there are two delivery methods as well. There is in-house design and outsourced design. With in-house design, the architect or residential designer is on staff.  With outsourced design, the architect or residential designer works for him or herself, or for a separate firm.  In Austin, most builders outsource the design.  Shan Jenkins, of Jenkins Custom Homes, has done it both ways, and he strongly advocates the in-house design approach for a variety of reasons.  Some of his reasons, like the cost savings and time savings, are very practical.  Others, like the way the client has more control over the creative process, are less obvious to the casual observer.  Either way you cut it, however, it makes building a new home a better experience for everyone.

The practical reasons for having a residential designer in-house are the time savings and cost savings it allows the client.  In the case of Jenkins, because the designers work in the same office as the supervisors and cost estimator (not to mention the rest of the staff), they have almost instant access to the resources they need to provide cost feedback to the client on design details.  For instance, “I like that wrought iron detail but not at that cost.  Is there a way to achieve the same look with less expense?”   This means that work proceeds at a much faster pace, especially throughout the design phase.  Also, having an in-house designer is one of the reasons Jenkins can guarantee that the cost is within 5% of the initial budget.

However, a less obvious reason Shan Jenkins believes in this approach is that having the design team in-house means that the client has more control over the creative process.  When a builder outsources their design work, the client must explain his or her wishes to the builder, who then submits the change to the designer.  Quite often, what the client had envisioned and what the designer returns are two very different things.  So the client must again attempt to explain what he or she wanted, and the builder must again submit it to the designer.  After a few weeks of that type of back and forth, many clients will simply settle for what they have been given, just so they can move forward with the process of building their new home.  With Jenkins, the client is continually interfacing with the designer, which means the design evolves in real time, with the client present to give his or her input, the designer sketching each detail as the client speaks. Want to add a half bath by the door to the pool?  No problem.  The designer can sketch it in right there during the meeting on trace paper and, if it isn’t the way you envisioned it, you can correct it right there on the spot.  Shortly thereafter, the team will provide you with cost data on that additional bath.  Before any changes are made to the plan, you can decide if it’s worth the extra money.  It’s a win-win for both the client and the builder.  The synergy that is created from having everyone working together as a team to accomplish the desires of the client means a superior home and a superior home building experience.

Lake Travis View Highlights Jenkins Custom Homes In Recent Article

Jenkins Custom Homes is named ‘Custom Home Builder of the Year’

Jenkins Custom Homes proudly announced projected earnings in 2009 to exceed those of 2008. Another testament to the homebuilder’s steadfast success, even in the midst of a recession, was made at the Texas Association of Builders Star Awards, where Jenkins Custom Homes was named the 2009 Custom Home Builder of the Year for Texas.

The competition at the Star Awards this year was stiff, with many accomplished homebuilders vying for a chance at the prestigious award. “Our unique Lifestyle Analysis(c) program, an excellent website, and an amazing team were key to our success this year,” said Shan Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Custom Homes.

In addition to winning Custom Builder of the Year, Jenkins took home seven other Star awards, including Best Custom Home and Best Architectural Design. The homebuilder was also named Builder of the Year in 2006, placing it among an elite handful of custom builders in the state of Texas to win the award more than once.

The award goes to the Texas homebuilder who best displays excellence in areas such as design, construction, industry leadership, and community altruism. Jenkins demonstrates all the qualities the Texas Association of Builders seeks in industry and community involvement. Locally, Shan Jenkins serves as President of the Lakeway chapter of the Home Builders Association of Austin. Nationally, Jenkins serves as host to the Custom Builder’s Symposium tour, and is an active member of various homebuilder associations.

Bethany Jenkins, vice president of Jenkins Custom Homes, attributes Jenkins’ victory to community involvement. “We feel that the more you give to your community, the more you receive. The fact that we’ve had such a successful year is partly because we make getting involved a priority.”

Jenkins Custom Homes has been building luxury custom homes in Austin and surrounding areas for more than 15 years. Jenkins’ unique Lifestyle Analysis(c) program sets the homebuilder apart from its competition, and guarantees any project to be within 5% of the original design cost. With over 100 homes constructed, totaling more than $50 million, Jenkins has a solid track record that is now uniquely recognized through the award of Custom Builder of the Year.

Source: http://laketravisview.com/2009/12/11/jenkins-custom-homes-is-named-%E2%80%98custom-home-builder-of-the-year%E2%80%99/

The Skinny On Energy Efficiency

Google's PowerMeter

When faced with building a new home, you may be surprised at the number of options available for lowering your energy consumption, and thus, your utility bills. However, some ideas are better than others, and a good rule of thumb, according to Bethany Jenkins, Vice-President of Jenkins Custom Homes, is to evaluate the product and choose those with a 2-4 year payback. One of the benefits of building a new home – as opposed to purchasing an existing – is the flexibility you have in design. Here are some of our favorite ways to control energy costs:

1. Start with a great design. Your home’s orientation on the lot, as well as the location of windows and doors, can take into consideration cross-ventilation and the direction of the sun in both winter and summer months.
   
2. Have a carefully planned “thermal envelope”. The thermal envelope is a technical term for the insulation in your home. Think of it like a thermos – the quality of the insulation is what determines how hot or cold your liquid inside remains. The same is true of your home. Putting your money into a high-density foam insulation and highly efficient windows will keep your home warmer or cooler, therefore reducing the number of times the A/C or heater has to cycle on and off.
   
3. Require high-performance mechanical systems (heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters), as well as appliances.
   
4. Employee technology when cost-effective (occupancy sensors for lights, A/C & heater, for instance).
5. Carefully placed trees can shade your house from cold winds or the summer heat, and drought resistant landscaping will lower your water usage.  A good landscape architect can design your green space with eye toward lowering your energy costs.
   

Jenkins Custom Homes completes Home in Spanish Oaks

Recently-completed in Spanish Oaks is a beautiful custom home for a very happy family!  This home features the signature Jenkins rock arch, a Jenkins Waterscape pool and landscape, and a spectacular indoor/outdoor entertaining area.  One of our favorite features, though, is the doggie shower and doggie “living space” which leads to the private outdoor living for the dogs.  The owners of this home came to Jenkins with a “concept” of what they wanted and no lot.  The Jenkins team assisted the family with just the right lot in Spanish Oaks to accommodate their needs.  The Jenkins team then analyzed the family’s lifestyle, created the design, and built the home.  The home is situated a little above grade and has fantastic Hill Country views off the side of the home.  Since the front door faces the cul-de-sac, the Jenkins team opted for a C-shaped design with the pool and outdoor living (complete with fireplace and grill) facing the great view.

“It’s a fabulous view, and they really get to enjoy it all the time,” says Shan Jenkins of Jenkins Custom Homes.  The Austin Custom Home Builder says he really enjoyed working with these particular homeowners because they were so complementary of our team.  “At every step, they seemed so joyful about the process.  That kind of excitement and enthusiasm is infectious, and I think we all felt it,” says Jenkins.  “In addition,” Jenkins states, “rarely do we see these kinds of great views with this amount of privacy in a subdivision.  It is much to the credit of the developer in Spanish Oaks.”  Spanish Oaks is between Austin and Bee Cave, conveniently located off of Highway 71.

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About the Author:  Bethany Jenkins is Vice President of Jenkins Custom Homes in Austin, Texas.  To read more about Bethany check out her bio here.