Last July 16th, my family tragically lost our home, possessions and two beloved dogs to a house fire. It was a painful experience for all of us, but our neighbors and friends showed us their amazing compassion in so many ways. We have removed the charred remains, planned a visionary renovation, and are well into the rebuilding—incorporating state-of-the-art products, technology and Energy Star features that demonstrate what makes Master Remodelers unique in Pittsburgh.
Read down into the story here to find out why we’re calling it “A new Star is born.” It’s about working toward certification as an ENERGY STAR® Qualified Home during our rebuild.
A little background
If you’d like to find out a bit more about our journey up to this point, it is featured in a Table magazine story in their current Spring issue.
We also have a photo gallery on Facebook, that tells the story in pictures—before, during, and since the fire. And a Facebook Event page for you to RSVP. It will be updated regularly as we move toward completion in late summer and have our second renovation tour featuring our finished home. We can’t wait to get to that point!
UPDATE: Read the article about the Tour in the Pittsburgh Business Times of April 19… and an April 20th article in the Post-Gazette.
Watch a short Open House preview video here.
.
.
.
Our work-in-progress Open House & Tour
Our first of two Open House & Tour events will be on April 1st and 2nd from 1-5 pm each day—revealing the ‘building science’ component of our mission: “Advancing the art and science of living.” This will celebrate our work-in-progress and allow you to see the planning, engineering and hidden detail involved.
Our restoration features a new kitchen and family room addition, many ‘green’ energy-saving technologies, innovative products and more. During mid-reconstruction you will see what’s ‘behind the scenes’—behind the walls, under the floors, overhead, and ‘coming soon’ in this innovative rebuild—and the result of assembling a unique team of experts for this project. Meet these members of our planning, design and building team partnership, too.
Not just another pretty face: ENERGY STAR science & features highlighted on Tour
Our renovated home will include many beautiful design features, what we call the ‘art‘ of home renovation; you’ll see samples of our award-winning remodeling design too. As important as these ‘art’ features for our home—which will be revealed in another Open House in late summer—we are reaching for the cutting edge ‘science’ of certification as an “ENERGY STAR Qualified Home,” which syncs with our Sustainability mission.
“Walking the (green) talk,” the futuristic and ‘green’ features being built into our home include a cost- and energy-saving shallow-wall foundation, a super insulated SIPs panel roof system, Energy Star appliances, a high-velocity HVAC system, low-flow water heads, recycled and reclaimed products, sound absorption panels, hydronic/radiant heating system and high U-factor windows and doors.
The combination of these technologies allows us to have HVAC units only 1/3 the size of the units before the fire, saving us upfront costs and greatly reducing energy costs in the future.
Please join us April 1st and 2nd
… in celebrating our family’s rebuild—of our home and our lives—and find out about this truly unique remodel.
Sign up on our Facebook Event page…
or RSVP to Pat@MasterRemodelersInc.com.
Click for DIRECTIONS to the tour.
.
Light, but tasty REFRESHMENTS provided! e.g. Burnt Almond Torte!
Thanks to our sponsors and partners on this project:
- Kohler
- Marvin Windows and Doors
- Miele
- The Pittsburgh suppliers who provide these products: Crescent Baths & Kitchens, Don’s Appliances and Brookside Lumber
Thanks to our Design Team Partners, working with our in-house designer, Junko Higashibeppu.
- Phyllis Gricus: landscape designer and writer, design team member
- Rob Hosken: architect and building performance specialist, design team member
- Rachel Pavilack: interior designer, member ASID, design team member
.
