The Steel Magnolia is a strong gem intended to resist high winds. While its beauty is apparent upon entering the home through the front door with the elegant dining on one side and clear view to the south French doors, the strength is hidden away in the steel of the ICF walls and steel-framed roof. But the beauty is not reserved for the front door visitors as the friendly side entry brings guests into the surprise of the home - the sunroom/breezeway with the quaint, overlooking loft with dormers north and south to allow sunlight to stream down. When the windows are closed, the space is a sunroom, and with them open, it is transformed into a breezeway for hot summer days. This north facing home can be as simple or elegant as the home owner's desire by changing the selection of columns.

The Steel Magnolia is a strong gem intended to resist high winds. While its beauty is apparent upon entering the home through the front door with the elegant dining on one side and clear view to the south French doors, the strength is hidden away in the steel of the ICF walls and steel-framed roof. But the beauty is not reserved for the front door visitors as the friendly side entry brings guests into the surprise of the home - the sunroom/breezeway with the quaint, overlooking loft with dormers north and south to allow sunlight to stream down. When the windows are closed, the space is a sunroom, and with them open, it is transformed into a breezeway for hot summer days. This north facing home can be as simple or elegant as the home owner's desire by changing the selection of columns.

First Floor

The formal front center of the home gradually transitions to the private master suite on the left with the nearby study (or nursery) and then back to the south central living areas. To the right are two more bedrooms with a bath shared by the informal hobby or homework area of the house which has a nook for a sitting area too! The central pantry is close to the kitchen and serves as a safe room. The builder can follow recommended safe room guidelines put out by numerous agencies.

Second Floor Loft

The central loft over the sunroom / breezeway is ideal for exercising since it is located out of the main conditioned area of the house. When the dormer windows are open along with the, the French doors between the house and breezeway, the house can be passively cooled during the hot season when night temperatures are low. Doors on each side of the loft lead to large attic areas above the garage and main house. The usable area will be determined by the roof truss design, but suggestions include leaving at least the center 8' clear of truss chords.

Garage

The two-vehicle garage has a storage area on the south large enough for yard equipment, recycling, and storing the garbage cans out of site. Being so close to the south patio, it will be a convenient location to store the barbeque grill too.

Construction Info

Hipped roofed homes found in old southern neighborhoods also protect the exterior walls from rain and sun. The entire house has 10' ceilings also found in older homes before air conditioning. The Steel Magnolia is designed with ICF (insulated concrete forms) for walls which add strength and thermal mass for cooling. The steel framed trusses make the larger roof spans easier to accomplish. The concrete slab adds the necessary thermal mass for the home. The south floors can be covered in tile, stone, brick pavers, or stained with some of the elegant methods now available which can even make the floors resemble marble and be very easy to clean.

Modification Ideas

Since these may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.

- Change the roof design to stick-framed and create a second floor living area on one or both sides upstairs
- Reverse the plan for land that requires a garage on the east

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.