DAHLIA PARK - HOMES BUILT WITH THE
ENVIRONMENT IN MIND

The Dahlia Park design team includes (from the left) Paul Glosniak, president of Bennett Homes; Catherine Benotto, AIA, associate for Weber + Thompson; Kristen M. Scott, principal at Weber + Thompson; and Atsushi Iwasaki of Sumitomo Forestry.

ISSAQUAH | It comes as no surprise that Dahlia Park in Issaquah Highlands is a neighborhood of Energy Star® homes.

After all, the homebuilder, Bennett SFS, is a partnership of Sumitomo Forestry and Bennett Homes – two builders from opposite sides of the globe, both committed to environmental stewardship. A pioneer in sustainable building, Bennett Homes also earned national recognition when it built the Puget Sound Energy Built Green™ Idea Home at Issaquah Highlands. The home was recognized by the Pacific Coast Builder's Conference as the 2004 Sustainable Residential

Project of the Year. Sumitomo is one of Japan’s largest home building companies and part of a larger forestry group committed to sustainability.

“One of our company’s guiding philosophies is environmental responsibility,” says Paul Glosniak, president of Bennett Homes. “At Dahlia Park, we raised the bar again by not only building a neighborhood of homes that were Built Green™ 4-star rated – one of the first in the region – but also Energy Star certified. This ensures that people are purchasing a new home that not only respects the surrounding environs, but also is much more efficient for the homeowners.”

Energy Star homes is a national program that was created to help consumers easily identify products, homes, and buildings that save energy and money, and help protect the environment. As the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, the Energy Star label identifies highly efficient products and designates superior energy performance in homes and buildings.

In the Northwest, the Energy Star label is awarded to a home after it has been independently verified to be at least 15 percent more efficient than the state or local energy codes. Builders carefully consider the interaction of all systems in the home including heating and cooling, windows, doors, insulation, appliances and lighting. The end result is a home that will save energy and money and potentially provide a healthier living environment.

“Homeowners benefit on so many levels by purchasing an Energy Star home,” says Glosniak. “The homes use less energy than a conventional home, so they’ll save on their utility bills. The homes are quieter and more comfortable because the improved insulation can help to keep out excess heat, cold and noise. And the homes are performance tested to ensure that they will operate at the highest levels for lower maintenance and greater durability.

“These homes also meet the 4-Star level of Built Green™ so they offer many other money saving, healthy home and environmentally-friendly features.”

In addition to a new way of building, the homes at Dahlia Park are introducing a new style of living.

“We’ve incorporated the traditional Japanese ‘garden room’ or Tsubo Niwa, into the homes,” says Glosniak. “The spaces have wide over-hangs and walls to shelter homeowners, allowing them to enjoy more of the seasons outside, and they’re situated so they become extensions of the main living and entertaining areas of the homes, resulting in a natural flow from kitchen to family room to the gardens.”

Each garden room is professionally landscaped with patios, stepping stones and sprinkler systems. Homeowners have the option of upgrading their garden rooms to various themes, depending on their interests. For the party planner, the garden room’s Entertainment theme upgrades the space with an outdoor fire pit or barbecue. For those who prefer their own special sanctuary, the Retreat theme adds a soothing water feature. And for those who like to get their hands dirty, the Container Garden theme comes complete with built-in potting table.

Designed by the architectural firm Weber + Thompson, the homes and interiors have a universal appeal, as well.

“Our open designs allow for a great deal of flexibility in the living spaces,” explained Kristen Scott, a principal at Weber + Thompson.

“There’s a dynamic energy and a lot of interesting details and materials throughout the homes.” Making full use of the space, the architects designed creative storage opportunities and special rooms for hobbies, home offices or quiet solitude. In some, upstairs bonus space, a paned window and sloped ceiling give the rooms a “granny’s attic” feel.

View these homes: Open Saturdays through Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Getting there: From I-90, take Exit 18 (East Sunset Way/Highlands Drive). Follow Northeast Highlands Drive up hill, veer right onto Northeast Federal Drive, turn right/east onto Northeast Park Drive and follow up hill to Central Park section of Issaquah Highlands. Turn left on 25th Avenue Northeast. Turn left on Northeast Natalie Way.

Prices: From $531,800.

Builder: Bennett Homes, SFS.

Information: 206-295-9782 or www.dahliapark.com.