Sustaining the Future: The Growth of Green When Green Becomes Gold

Acclaim for Two Outstanding Eco-Friendly Residences

Two 2007 Gold Tommies - or shall we say Green Tommies - were awarded for homes built by Homescape Building & Design of Summerland, owned by Eric and Vicki Gerrits. The warm, earthy and elegant vineyard-inspired Stahl residence earned Homescape a Gold for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Consideration and Energy Efficiency. The light-filled lakeside Tremblett home, with its Old World charm, tied with the Stahl residence and the Homescape-created Tink residence to earn Homescape a Gold as Built Green BC/Renovator of the Year.

The Stahl residence sits in a vineyard overlooking Okanagan Lake. All photos by Vicki Gerrits

The exterior of the Trembletts' lakeshore home displays award-winning craftsmanship.

The team of Eric and Vicki Gerrits have been building mid-to-high end custom homes for people in the Okanagan under the name of Homescape since 1996 - mostly in the Summerland area, where the Stahl and Tremblett residences are located. With many past building awards under their belt, Eric is also past president of the B.C. Home Builders Association.

Working very closely with their clients, they only build two-four houses a year, never repeating a plan.

"The homes are all different," says Eric, "and yet you can recognize our signature style."

Their own home is an outstanding example of the distinctive Homescape footprint. Featured in Okanagan Home in May 2007, it won a slew of local, provincial and national CHBA awards for the company and architect Paul Nesbitt.

Their own gasp-inspiring lakeside residence has a unique Asian flavour in both its simplicity of design and intricacy of detail, both inside and out. It's the kind of home that makes an architecture buff salute silently and give thanks that true building style really does exist in the Okanagan.

It's also top-of-the-line eco-friendly with a green rating of R2000. Environmentally positive concrete and stonework such as quartzite are utilized, along with water-based paints and stains.

Down the street from their home, the Gerrits' and associates are building a new 4400 square foot house that they will sell when it is completed. Contemporary, with lots of wood trim and detail, it is being designed and built the way the Gerrits' want, pre-purchaser for a change.

Like in their own home, there is a flow from room to room, which is a signature Gerrits trademark. Warm woods, colours, tile and stone are used with astonishing attention to craftsmanship.

"There is a continuity, it is all done as one effort," says Vicki. And sometimes it takes clients 10-12 months to notice what what we did. When it all flows and matches, you don't notice the details."

She points out how it is largely due to the talents and efforts of the tradespeople working on the house, including finishing carpenters capable of millwork.

The Gerrits' are quick to recognize the various associates who have worked with them over their career.

"Vicki and I recognize our incredible employees, some of whom have been with us for 20 years," says Eric. "Our people all know each other and work as a team. They are the silent heroes. It doesn't happen without them."

The Stahl Residence

Gold 2007 Tommie for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Consideration

Architect: Graham Townley of Hillside Design & Drafting

"It's an earthy home in many ways," says Vicki.

The comfortable, elegant home of the Stahls (3563 square feet finished, 950 unfinished double garage and additional storage) sits on five acres of vineyard-covered lakeside slopes near Summerland. Almost maintenance-free, this stucco home has a metal roof and metal clad windows with rock and fir accents. All the flooring is hardwood or slate and is fir-trimmed trim throughout.

Earth tones, hardwood floors and natural slate give the Stahl residence a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The award-winning kitchen, which won a 2007 Tommie Gold for Excellence in Kitchen Design in a Home (new or renovation) $500,000-$750,000, has vertical grain fir cabinets with rough-sawn posts, slate floors with in-floor heating, granite countertops and Energy Star appliances.

The kitchen of the Stahl residence features granite counter tops, fir cabinets and slate floors.

The fireplace in the Stahl home was located to be enjoyed from the diningroom, great room and kitchen.

The stainless steel appliances include a steam oven, a built-in coffee maker and wine cooler. A raised snack bar provides conversational space and hides kitchen clutter; another extended counter provides more seating.

The master suite has a deck with topless glass railing, his and hers'

ensuites including two tiled showers with body sprays, individual vanities and a soaker tub.

Other features include a self-contained guest suite above the garage and built in sound, security and vacuum systems.

The two-storey entry provides an open, spacious feel to the design of the Stahl residence.

The master ensuite of the Stahl home features slate floors, tub surround and shower.

Award-Winning Eco Details:

Low-e, argon-filled windows were installed.

Dona Sturmanis

Copyright © 2008 Wheat King Publishing and the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Okanagan Home are those of the writers and editors, and do not represent the official position of the Canadian Home Builders' Association, Central Okanagan, or of its members.