The Abbott House This sophisticated country home began life as the "Behind the Walls" house of the National Association of Homebuilders convention because it was structurally assembled but left unfinished to show how homes should be built to be durable, environmentally friendly, and very low in utility costs.  Its second life in Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb, built by Enviro Custom Homes, gives it another national focus: a ten-page feature in November's HOME Magazine.  With four bedroom spaces, many of which can be evolutionary as needs of a family change, and three full baths and a powder room, the home highlights needs of the new century family. An office near the front door and a Nanny Quarters over the garage, new top-of-the-line Kraftmaid Cabinets and Kohler fixtures, Marvin Low-E, argon-filled wood windows, a meditation garden and a peekaboo porch for children are just a few of the original, artistic features to be found here.  Also included are a geothermal heating/cooling system with geothermal hot water, heat-recovery ventilator, composter, and solar electric panels for power back-up. The photovoltaic (solar electric) array, upper left, provides 980 watts of power. On a peak sunlight day, it will produce 5.6 Kwh of power as back-up, through a sealed battery system in the attic, for any power failures.  The rainwater collection tank shown behind the garage, holds 550 gallons and filled in one week from just the garage surface.
Our company's focus on using as many recycled products as possible is evident in this landscaping.  The native stones in the miniature escarpment (across the center of the picture) came from under the house when we trenched / drilled for the geothermal system. The retaining wall on the right was made from waste concrete taken from an old sidewalk leading to a sales trailer formerly on the site. All plants and trees are native and will need no watering except during intense droughts after they are firmly established (one year).
The dining room/sunroom features 96 sq. ft. of double-hung wood windows by Marvin for natural ventilation and maximum winter passive solar gain. The floor is Crossville ceramic tile, for beauty and optimal thermal mass solar absorption.
	The master bedroom, fully insulated for complete soundproofing with icynene, features a carpet made from 100% recycled plastic soda bottles made by Image Carpets.
The kitchen features Kraftmaid's newest "Passport" cabinet line in dual colors. All appliances are from General Electric.  Kitchen composter, sinks and faucets are from Franki. Laminated wood floors are "Traffic Zone" by Bruce. Countertops in kitchen (and master bath) are 93% waste granite chips, made by Silestone.
The master bath fixtures are Kohler's newest color "Sunlite."  The whirlpool bath looks out onto a native rock with a natural "birdbath" depression and a xeriscaped garden space with bird-attracting plants.  Tile is by Crossville.  Tiny halogen lights on a track are Murano glass from Italy.
An original stone sculpture, made entirely from waste off the site, is centered on the faux Austin stone wall outside the master bedroom. The Meditation Porch is made from Choice Deck, a 100% recycled product made in Texas.