BH&G Five Star Homes #2601

Unlike a conventional basement, three sides of this basement are exposed to natural light. The garage has two windows, and the adjoining family room has windows on two sides that give cross-ventilation. Door in family room opens onto driveway.

Five Star 2601 is a three-level, three-bedroom house designed ideally for a rolling site. The three levels meet off a central entryway with the bedroom wing three steps higher than the living area, to give the lower level more above-the-ground room. You get bonus living space in the "exposed basement" that contains a large family room, a half-bath, and the garage. The real basement, two steps down from the family room, presents an area of 500 square feet for your laundry, workshop, and storage space.

The exterior siding is plywood with batten strips every 16 inches that give the house strong vertical lines; horizontal siding forms gable. A door from kitchen opens to the off-street yard on the highest level of the lot. A paved terrace could eventually be located in this area.