Residential Design + Build

SEP-OCT 2012

Residential Design + Build provides architects, designers and builders of custom homes with the information they need to create high-end custom homes.

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in the process of finding the right location. "I think our greatest chal- lenge is finding just the right place for our clients to build their house," Lobien says. "It first starts with what's most important to our client. For some, it's finding the right school district. For others, it has to do with a commute and with realistic parameters about how they want to live. For example, do they want a large, private lot or a smaller lot in town? It's about helping them find the right balance between their lifestyle and location priorities. Sometimes those things don't add up very well and we have to help them under- stand what's available. Of course, budget is also a con- sideration. We have to help them make all of those things balance." Visnic Homes views a home as a unique art form, which it achieves through making each house a reflec- tion of the client's personality. "The homes are as dif- ferent as the clients are," Lobien says. "Each one of them has an opportunity to bring their particular style or put their fingerprint on the houses we build." Inside Story everyone is into dealing with people. Some people who love to build just can't handle all the personalities, but I really like it." Lobien also enjoys working with varying person- alities. "There's never a dull moment," he says. "It's a constantly creative process and we are always adapting to one-of-a-kind situations. The creativity and wide range of people we get to bring together and work with in order to build is great." There is no shortage of unique situations and hous- es in the custom home market. Lobien and Visnic recall working on a 25,000-sq.-ft. all-concrete home, built for the aesthetics and also to combat the harsh winds across the Chesapeake Bay. Lobien also recalls suspend- ing airplanes from ceilings. "How do you forget hanging an airplane in a house and building around that? We've actually done that three times," he says. Visnic Homes gets much of its business from referrals and repeat clients. The past several years have been difficult in the economic climate, but Visnic and Lobien have found refer- rals to carry them through. "Doing a good job and having a good reputation creates enough business to get by," Visnic says. "Each home Visnic agrees. "They all want their own identity in their home," he says. "It's a joy to watch architects give clients the latitude to do that." RELATIONSHIPS AND PROJECTS Part of being a good builder involves building good relationships. Visnic enjoys working with people, see- ing the home evolve from an idea to a realized structure and continuing those relationships with his clients. "I can look back on homes that have been around for 22 years and can remember the experience of meeting for the first time to talk about building, and then the rela- tionships that are established as a result of that," he recalls. "It is a very relationship-oriented field. Not becomes an opportunity to prove ourselves and an opportunity to have that success communicated." In addition to referrals, Visnic Homes also has several repeat clients. "It's memorable to be able to go back and remodel a house that we had done 10 years before," Lobien says. "We've had several clients where we've actually built another house for them. We see their kids grow. It's almost like being part of the family." "I'm a real humble sort of guy so awards are nice and all, but what we're really working toward is the satisfaction of the clients and doing things right," Visnic reflects. "I just want to continue to do a good job." ■ F o r R e s i d e n t i a l P r o s . c o m r esidential design + build For more info circle #09 The Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier system features a HDPE one- piece, integrated gravity flush tank that is insulated to prevent condensation ("sweating") inside the bathroom wall. In addition, each tank is individually leak-tested for reliability and reinforced to prevent collapse. With millions of installations throughout the world, the Geberit Concealed Tank and Carrier system enables unique design and utilizes water-saving, dual- flush technology. For a free copy of the Geberit Now DVD, our full line digital resource, visit us at → geberitnow.com or call 866/787-3924. The sheer beauty of water Geberit Now DVD-ROM Design Inspiration and Technical Information The sheer beauty of water Geberit Now DVD-ROM % ( PHOTO: BOB NAROD PHOTO: RICHARD DORBIN

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