The Builder’s Notes

There is a movement across the country toward building more sustainable, energy efficient and cost-effective homes. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) leads a number of initiatives for homebuilders focusing on high-performance building techniques and materials. As an awareness of the value of high-performance building grows, we’re seeing these initiatives being adopted into local jurisdictions’ building codes. In California, a 2020 net zero energy goal pushes building codes closer to that goal at every price point – not just luxury homes. This awareness is driving...


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It may seem counter-intuitive, but better energy conservation efforts in residential construction have resulted in worsening indoor air quality in new homes. That’s because, in high-performance home construction, a tighter building envelope will keep the heat (or air conditioning) in – along with the environmental pollutants. More efficient furnaces and HVAC systems are still located in basements or other enclosed spaces. Stale air is continuously recycled throughout the home. In the winter, this effect is particularly aggravated. Your utility bill stays lower, but your indoor toxin exposure...


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Congratulations! You’ve already made a big step toward the health of your family, and the planet, by deciding to pursue sustainable, and environmentally friendly, construction methods and materials when building your new home. But there’s a catch. “Building green” is a trendy phrase right now. Unfortunately, it’s easy for less experienced (or ethical) builders to overlook, or not understand, the latest in high-performance and sustainable building processes or products. Choices made in design, materials, and construction techniques have a significant influence on the short and long-term...


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Your home can lead the way in environmental responsibility and stewardship – beautifully There’s no way to avoid the topic on everyone’s minds: climate change. In our current social and political environment, what to do about climate change can feel overwhelming. But the old adage remains the same, change begins at home. Or in Clarum’s case, with the home. For 23 years its been our mission to lead the way in building modern homes minimizing how construction impacts the environment. The result: beautiful and comfortable dwellings, respectful of the earth and its inhabitants. The EPA recommends...


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It’s no wonder that residents in California are inspired by nature: between gorgeous coast lines and breathtaking mountains the Golden State provides a landscape unlike any other. With this in mind, it makes sense that some of the most enviable homes in Silicon Valley are inspired by natural elements. In fact, incorporating materials found in nature and designing your home to soak up the benefits of your natural environment is good for your health—both physically and mentally. At Clarum, we work with our clients to design homes that blend in seamlessly with the unique California landscape—all...


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At Clarum, we believe your home should be comfortable, beautiful, easy to maintain – and above all, create a healthy environment for you and your family. And it makes sense: the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Because of this, it’s key to pay attention to the health and sustainability factors of materials and construction practices when building your modern home. Where a home’s materials are sourced from is important, as well as the manufacturing methods of the products. When our team at Clarum selects home building materials, we consider questions such as: are the materials...


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Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing shower before work or getting ready for a fun evening, your bathroom is a place where you should be able to decompress and have time to focus on you. With this in mind, it makes sense that homeowners are increasingly seeking bathrooms with stunning details and innovative amenities. In particular, modern homes pair the forefront of technology with stunning minimalist design to create a haven of a relaxing bathroom. Investing in beautiful, modern bathrooms can significantly add to your overall home value—and your quality of life. At Clarum, we work with...


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Make an unforgettable impression Between aesthetically-pleasing design and sustainable features, a modern home is sure to delight anyone living in it. But while homeowners may benefit from modern features the most, it’s also important to design with guests in mind. Whether you have friends or family who are staying with you for a week or only visiting for the evening, you’ll want to create an environment that is comfortable, beautiful, and memorable. By working with your modern home builder and carefully planning both your indoor and outdoor areas, people will be counting down the days...


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Minimalism is a key contributor to the chic design of Clarum’s modern homes. As its core philosophy, the modern home brings simplicity to the forefront – this includes the simplicity of form, space, detail, materials, and color. Unlike the ornate, heavily-decorated approach of other types of historic architecture such as the Queen Anne, Craftsman, and Victorian, modern architecture and design shows restraint through a meticulous pairing down of space and form. Inspired by the work of great architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Roche, and Joseph Eichler, today’s minimalism...


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A floor plan with freedom Say goodbye to room compartmentalization with thick walls and doors. Instead of a traditional—and sometimes claustrophobic—design, modern home owners enjoy the comfort and elegance of open floor plans. The open floor plan concept consists of large rooms that function as a shared space, typically combining the living, dining, and kitchen areas. You’ll be hard-pressed to find walls, hallways, or even many doors in an open floorplan—instead, residents enjoy an inviting, expansive feeling of connectedness. In a study of luxury real estate by Coldwell Banker,...


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