OUT OF THE ORDINARY - James Hardie

32 www.jameshardie.comwww.jameshardie.com 33LIFESTYLE OPTIONSOUT OF THEORDINARYdeveloper huffines describes the attributes needed to createtheir successful communities in dallas, texas, as a toolkitClubhouses play an integral role in the Huffine’s tool-kit. This Cape Cod design with Hardishingle ® sidingsets the tone for the community and houses activities for all ages – including a fitness facility cafe,aquarium, play rooms and more.

34 www.jameshardie.comwww.jameshardie.com 35“Before we started, no market study would havesupported using a siding product in the Dallas/Ft. Wortharea. But Huffines said ‘no, it will work’, and it has.”bob kembel, president, huffinesTHE HUFFINES TOOL-KIT FOR ASUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY1. colorful, inviting streetscapes2. interesting architecture3. tree-lined avenues4. pedestrian-friendly streets5. a mix of leisure activitiesWhen developers talk about creating a lifestyle, it’s usually a reference to balancing familyand work, living in a safe environment and fostering neighborhood connections. These are allimportant, but what happens when the developer goes further and asks – will the residentshave fun?LOCATIONNorth Dallas, TexasDEVELOPMENTSProvidence, SavannahDEVELOPERHuffines CommunitiesPLANMaster planned communities incorporatingTND principlesRECOGNITIONAverage property increase of $20,000 sinceopening. Savannah named Community of theYear by HBA Sales and Marketing Council.In 1999, just north of Dallas, HuffinesCommunities bought 2000 acres on anempty tract of land. Having just completed asuccessful master-planned community calledWaterview, Huffines decided to create a newdevelopment for entry-level housing.President Bob Kembel says the companywanted to put into practice elements ofTraditional Neighborhood Design (TND),in an area not heavily restricted by localauthority planning and zoning laws.“We have what we describe as a tool-kitfor successful communities. These includecolorful, inviting streetscapes, interestingarchitecture, tree-lined avenues, pedestrianfriendlystreets and a mix of leisureactivities.”Houses with plenty of architectural detailsand vibrant color schemes were not possiblewith the brick historically used in Dallas, soHuffines decided to specifiy James Hardiesiding instead.“We have really restrictive guidelines interms of design and color,” says Kembel.“We micro-manage like crazy because ifyou don’t, the details tend to fall away andyou lose the impact of what you want.”What Huffines wanted was vibrantstreetscapes with distinctive houses thatfit a coherent design scheme, a townplanning idea that has been unfashionablesince World War II, but which is regainingtraction with the rise of TND communitiesthroughout the country.In order to achieve an architecturallydiverse environment, Huffines managementhad to educate everybody from buildingsupervisors to sales staff. They had becomeso used to building masonry boxes thatKembel says they had no knowledge ofhow to create elevations in keeping witha particular style such as Craftsman,Italianate or Federal.The company also had to sell people on thelow-maintenance, high-quality appeal ofJames Hardie siding.“Before we started, no market study wouldhave supported using a siding product inthe Dallas/Ft. Worth area. But Huffines said‘no, it will work’, and it has,” says Kembel.Since Providence was built, 450 houseshave been sold annually and prices haverisen on average by $20,000 in four years.Kembel says that curb appeal is the keyto getting homeshoppers to buy. In atypical building project future homeownersmake two visits before they move in. Yetat Providence and Savannah people arereturning four or five times, often withfamily and friends.“They can’t believe something likethis exists. It’s an environment that’s athrowback to small-town living.”Kembel says the communities are aboutmore than just interesting homes. Greatcare has been taken to cater to leisureactivities and foster social interaction.At Providence there are soccer and baseballfields, volleyball courts, picnic areas and ajunior Olympic swimming pool.Savannah’s crowning jewel is its 20,000ftclub house, with a spectacular ballroom thatfeatures a 45ft soaring cathedral ceiling.Both communities have private water parkswith slides, rock caves and waterfalls, andthere are plenty of nature trails surroundingthe 40-acre lake.An eclectic mix of leisure activities is partof what Kembel says is necessary for asuccessful community.In addition to environmentalconsiderations, Huffines has laid thefoundations for socially enduring programs.These include setting up homeownersassociations so that the community willcontinue to have leadership long after thedevelopers, architects and builders haveleft town.“It’s an ethic in our company. Huffinesmanagement wants to be proud to walkthrough these communities with theirfamilies in 30, 40, 50 years from now,”Kembel says.“They want to know that they created alifestyle for people that was successful.”For further information, visit the website:www.huffinescommunities.com.

36 www.jameshardie.comwww.jameshardie.com 37“Curb appeal is the key to getting homeshoppers to buy.They can’t believe that something like this exists.”bob kembel, president, huffines communitiesSavannah’s Craftsman-style 20,000 sq ft club house is fully wrapped in Hardiplank ® siding. Residentslove having access to a spectacular ballroom, library and state-of-the-art fitness center.

38www.jameshardie.comHEART AND SOUL OF THE COMMUNITYDr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark in Frisco,Texas has quickly become the centerpiecefor this rapidly growing community.Mayor Mike Simpson says it attractspeople from all over Texas, Oklahoma andother places.“Everyone is immediately impressed withits look - it gives an instant impression ofcomfort, hominess and family values– people love going,” he says.“Hardiplank material has made theballpark’s design unique and not like atypical brick ballpark. It actually looks likea traditional neighborhood with residencesand walkways throughout.”“The ballpark has been a great lift to thecity of Frisco. From an economic developmentstandpoint, we have a lot of businesseslooking at Frisco because of our growth.And, one of the things they look for is whattheir employees may do outside of work.”“They experience the ballpark and theyget a feel for something they won’t findelsewhere.”President of the Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers MikeMcCall says the use of James Hardie siding saves on maintenance costs. “It’s the jewelof Frisco and Collin County – it’s important that it stays beautiful well into the future.”