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Extraordinary Estate

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

To say that the homeowners who created 4800 Williams Road were visionaries is a major understatement. Ten years ago when the self-described "test-tube jockeys" decided to build a home in Lewisville, they also decided to create an energy-efficient property that would have as little impact as possible on the environment. Drawing on the same type of methodical logic they used in their profession, the couple began exploring their construction options, and after extensive research, they designed a home that was not only stylish and comfortable, but also in sync with their environmentally responsible lifestyle.

"This just seemed the way to do it," said the homeowner. "I was able to travel a little bit, and as I went around the country, if I was able to view new building techniques, I did it. ... This particular technology has been around a heck of a long time."

At first glance, 4800 Williams Road is a striking architectural structure that is surrounded by vast expanses of prime Yadkin Valley acreage. Described as "Lowcountry Craftsman" style, the home's design is a variation on "Minka" houses, Japan's centuries-old version of the farmhouse or country home, a primarily single-story dwelling with an expansive living space on the main level and a large loft workspace upstairs. Minka homes have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years as homebuyers look for enduring and responsible methods of construction, but the aesthetically pleasing features are only the tip of the iceberg at 4800 Williams Road.

"You can either buy good quality and pay for it once, or buy mediocre and pay for it twice," the homeowner said. "We decided to invest in quality."

The homeowners' attention to detail during the construction of the home is evident. On the "green" end of the spectrum, structured insulated panels provided the basic "form" of the house, along with strength comparable to steel I-beams and a significant reduction in job-site waste. Insulated roof panels and low-e insulated windows increased the home's energy efficiency and complemented a closed-loop geothermal climate-control system. Multiple skylights allow the homeowners to enjoy optimal air circulation, and the heat-recovery ventilator system and multilevel air-filtration system further enhance energy savings as well as indoor air quality. A dual, alternating drainfield septic system prevents septic problems and/or pollution, and the house's orientation, which the homeowners selected after many days of research aided by a compass, maximizes solar energy during the winter.

Although the green features of 4800 Williams Road put the property in a league of its own when compared with many other luxury estates, the home is also a wonderful family residence. The large family room and gourmet kitchen are ideal for sleepovers, after-school gatherings and comfortable entertaining, and the walk-through mudroom and accompanying bathroom allow kids and parents to clean up after outdoor activities before entering the main living areas.

"This is a good place to bring up kids because you have a lot of space and a lot of privacy," the homeowner said. "And you can spend a lot of time watching what lives here and will continue to live here if you don't mess with it — like the bald eagle that comes by for the fish."

An attached greenhouse and raised-bed garden provide built-in self-sufficiency, and the current homeowners said that they are able to grow most of their vegetables and herbs on site. More than 300 blueberry bushes produce fruit each year, and the plants are watered by an irrigation system that draws from the adjacent 2.5-acre panfish-stocked reservoir.

Situated on land that is some of the prettiest in the Triad, 4800 Williams Road is a one-of-a-kind offering that will please its new residents for many years to come. Energy-efficient, stylish and family-friendly, the property is a seamless integration between land and home, and has a green "conscience" that is becoming a must-have feature for many buyers.

This extraordinary 30-acre estate at 4800 Williams Road lists for $1,995,000 and has three bedrooms, four baths and a long list of energy-efficient, "green" features. For more information or to schedule a private showing, call David VonderBurg at Keller Williams Realty at 336-671-1848.