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June 4, 2009
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Keith Groninger stood inside the $2.185 million award-winning home
he designed and talked about attending Glenridge Middle School,
which once stood on the same Winter Park property.
He has designed and built homes in Orlando for more than 20 years —
focusing on the Winter Park area for the last seven — always making
sure to respect the area's history and tradition.
Lüjo Rustico, which means 'rustic luxury', won first place in the
Parade of Homes Green Certified Custom Home $2.0-$2.2 million
category, but Groninger admits he didn't set out to build just a
green home.
"I think of it as a high-end home that happens to be green," he
said.
The team at Groninger Custom Homes takes clients, including Winter
Park Mayor Ken Bradley, from drawing board to dream-come-true.
"My favorite part is starting with a blank palette and a theme,
which makes it easier for me understand what they want and makes it
easier for them to make decisions and selections," Groninger said.
Groninger chose Spanish mission architecture for Lujo Rustico,
imagining the buyer might be a 50-something couple seeking a smaller
luxury home, but who will entertain the whole family during the
holidays.
A buyer looking to store some "toys" would benefit from the
two-plus-one car garages. They could entertain friends and clients
in the adjoining casita separate from the main house.
The open floor plan centers around a private courtyard and outside
fireplace, flanked by a covered entryway and the versatile casita
space, which can function as separate living quarters, an office or
entertainment area.
The Windsong-Knowles Place home blends details of southwest
mission's wrought iron, stucco and pueblo influences with northern
California mission styles influenced by the Italian and French wine
country.
"Missions were built about a day's walk apart," Groninger said of
the missions stretching up the Pacific coast.
Wide plank oak floors, rustic beams, cypress tresses, and thick
archways of brick and stone surround the dining area and entrances
to the Sala Grande and the gourmet cocina kitchen. Built-in niches
hold candles and water fountains.
Groninger said European and South American families often supplied
their own cabinetry so family furniture pieces would sit on kitchen
counters. Dark craftsman-style cabinets with folding pocket doors
enclose appliances, and there is a separate "butler's pantry."
Ceiling heights vary throughout and light floods in from many
windows and through the tall bi-fold French doors, which open up to
a 15 foot space on the decorative pool area. Submerged bar stools
are positioned near pieces of jutting flagstones that can
accommodate glasses. The flagstone and pebbles in the pool area
percolate down through the ground which adds to the green design.
The centerpiece of the master bathroom features a freestanding tub
carved from a single stone weighing 2,500 pounds. Although it looks
like an exotic sculpture, it is completely functional. Water spills
over its sides and drains back down through a bed of pebbles.
Described as "green and sexy" the home includes double-pane windows,
tank-less water heater, climate zones, drought tolerant landscaping,
and a weather resistant deck and trellis made of a wood-alternative
material. The house, which faces south, has awnings to compensate
for the summer sun while the courtyard on the eastern side takes
advantage of the afternoon and cooler evening shade.
"One thing we learned is that a green house doesn't have to look any
different," Groninger said. "It is just a smart way to build."
Does Groninger worry about finding a buyer in the current real
estate market?
"I think there is a lot of pent-up demand," he said. "If there are
buyers in Winter Park in this price range, I hope they see this
house. People want to build; they're just waiting for some good
news."
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