Some homes just grab your eye, even from the outside. When we caught sight of Blu Homesโ latest creation, the Sidebreeze, we stopped what we were doing and checked it out. Blu Homes is a company based in both California and Massachusetts that specializes in green, energy-efficient homes that are incredibly attractive (at least to us). Theย Sidebreeze is the companyโs largest of eight different home designs offered by the company. The two-story Sidebreeze works well on narrow lots and has ceilings that hit over 12 feet with a distinctive central area dubbed the Breezespace. Theย Breezespace has full glass walls on both sides of the home,so you get views in every direction and tons of naturalย light. If youโre on a lake or just have some land or a view, this is a great layout for a home.
Blu Homes Sidebreeze Characteristics
The creativeย director of Blu Homes and lead architect for Sidebreeze is Karl Daubmann. His goal was to preserve theย high ceilings and sun-filled open spaces that mark the Breezehouse,ย while building a spacious home with lots of Californiaย design sense. Since the design is truly versatile, the Sidebreeze fits into a narrow beachfront lot just as easily as itย will in the suburbs of the East Coast or on the slopes of a Coloradoย mountainside.
What makes the Sidebreeze so iconic is that the Breezespace is a cantilevered second story whichย creates both a welcoming entrance and also multiple courtyards. The first floor isย an expansive living space that seems perfect for entertaining, while an open,ย steel staircase leads to a private second floor with high ceilings and large bedrooms. The master suite and balcony gainย spectacular views from the design.
Notable features and options of the Blu Homes Sidebreeze include:
- 2,600 square feet, open floor plan
- 3 or 4 spacious bedrooms, with option for a media room
- 3 full baths or 2 full and 1 half bath
- 25โ x 17โ Breezespace with 12โฒ ceiling and full glass on both sides
- Light-filled master bedroom suite and private balcony
- Clerestory windows, abundant natural light
- Spacious kitchen, ample counter space
- Optional fireplace
- Separate garage
- Ideal for suburban lots
- Extensive incorporation of green features
Beyond the standard green features that Blu includes in every home,ย such as recycled steel framing, radiant heat flooring, high R-valueย walls and energy-efficient appliances, Blu Homes can achieve Net Zeroย energy status with the inclusion of other available green elements. Allย Blu homes are solar-ready and are certifiable under the Energy Star and LEED for Home rating systems.
Bluโs homes are built by skilled craftspeople in the companyโsย 250,000 square-foot factory in Vallejo, CA. Once complete, the homes areย installed on-site in one day and completed in as little as two weeks byย Bluโs teams of craftspeople. Remarkably, given the design and look, Bluโs homes can be folded for quick and cost-effectiveย transportation and setting on site, making for a drastically reducedย building timeline, while simultaneously allowing the homes to haveย taller ceilings and spacious light-filled interiors. All of this is doneย at a pre-agreed, fixed cost.
The Blu Homes Sidebreeze is available now and starts at $590,000 ($625,000 in CA and Canada). For more information, visitย www.bluhomes.com
