INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS' SHOW: Show home unveiled at The Lakes

The 2004 New American Home will open for viewing tomorrow to attendees of the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. The $1.9 million waterfront residence is located within The Lakes at West Sahara, a gated community near Sahara Avenue and Durango Drive. It will open for public viewing next weekend.

The tri-level home represents a new concept in loft-style living, according to Steve Jones, founder and president of locally based Merlin Contracting and Developing. He said the home's expandable, flexible spaces can be modified to accommodate myriad lifestyles.

"It really is a truly intelligent home and it will, over time, prove to be the perfect template for a lifetime's living space. The home affords a matchless indoor-outdoor experience with its terraces, patios and balconies and its use of natural light. There are mountain and waterfront views from every angle, and a fabulous sense of `the open', yet with plenty of places to hide," Jones said.

He pointed out that the most notable aspect of building the 5,180-square-foot home was working with concrete.

"We have been impressed by the ease of construction in working with concrete, and surprised by the design possiblilites ... As in previous years, the home is a showcase for emerging design trends, products and applications, featuring high-performance exterior insulating concrete-form walls, concrete masonry cladding, precast structural decking, and decorative concrete flooring," Jones said.

Merlin's Bart Jones said, "It's a neat, three-story structure that blends entirely with its setting, yet with no sense of the suburban ... (It's) perfect for the smaller lot sizes we are seeing on the market these days."

The home is situated on a 0.22-acre lot, and is available for sale furnished or unfurnished. It has three bedrooms, three full baths and two half baths. Additional highlights include copper exterior louvers, a wine cellar that can accommodate 1,400 bottles, an elevator, Web-enabled home controls, energy-efficient appliances, steel staircases, interior and exterior automated sun shades, a patio fireplace, an outdoor kitchen, and a garage organization system.

Through the use of high-performance technologies and building materials, the residence will use 46 percent less energy for space heating and cooling, hot water and lighting than standard homes. It has earned Energy Star's highest rating.

In addition to Merlin Contracting, the design-build team included Holland-based Food For Buildings as architectural consultant; and Willem Kymmell of Oregon House, Calif., as architect of record. The interior merchandisers were Source Francaise, also of Oregon House, and Jiun Ho Inc. of San Francisco.

To arrange a private tour, contact Alisanne Frew at 530-713-9191.

The builders' show runs through Thursday and is expected to draw nearly 100,000 visitors from 95 countries.

The home will be open to the public four consecutive weekends, starting Saturday and next Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. A $10 admission fee per person will be charged with all proceeds benefiting Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Nevada, a nonprofit organization that has been providing educational, residential, spiritual and emotional support to students in Las Vegas since 1997.

"We are a residential program for students who are at-risk of academic failure and can benefit from a structured program to nurture their educational potential," Penny Eardley, executive director, said. "Many children come to us from homes that are unequipped to provide the time and attention necessary to ensure that a child succeeds in a college preparatory program.

"Our program (also) provides opportunities to experience cultural, sporting, entertainment and other events that will help them become more well-rounded individuals. Since our opening we have sent 100 percent of our high school graduates to college."

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