Sage Homebuilders

Sage Homebuilders, LLC
114 Gay Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314.265.6143
314.480.4898 fax
info@sagestl.com

What Is High Design?

Our Approach | High Performance

“High Design” is architectural artistry; it is meant to describe the attention to architectural detail that Sage has made a hallmark of its approach to building. High Design does not have to be expensive – a home in any price range can achieve good design.
There are 4 components to High Design

Functionality – will the home fulfill its occupants’ needs? Will the design enable simple use of the spaces and amenities?
Efficiency – is there wasted space that can be eliminated? Does the home sprawl needlessly?
Character – Do the exteriors and interiors of the home lend a sense of place? Do they have unique characteristics that set them apart?
Aesthetic Coherence – Does the overall impression of the home work? Does anything seem out of place or not scaled correctly? Does the design contextually sensitive?

How Is High Design Achieved?

High Design starts with having a builder who values good design. Sage has worked hard to create a framework for achieving better home designs, including:

Working with the best architects – we have built working relationships with the best designers, whether modern or traditional style.
Getting involved in the design process – Good design is integrated design, involving a team approach. We believe the Builder is an important part of the design process.

Adhering to Good Design Principles – we draw on principles of good design that have been explicated by the likes of Sarah Susanka, and . We have brought together some of the most important of these principles in the Sage Criterion of Good Design
Involving the Best Design Assistance – we have relationships with some of the best Interior Decorators, Kitchen Designers, Landscape Architects, etc.
D3 - Digital Database of Design - [Coming Soon] Providing a pictorial database of good design in the St. Louis area. We have hundreds of digital pictures of interior and exterior design features, facades, landscaping, etc. that we make available to our clients for use in determining what kinds of things they would like to incorporate into the design of their home. It can be difficult to start with a blank slate.

Why Is Good Design Important?

Good design makes a house more enjoyable to live in; you actually live better in a better home. Our homes shape us, and they are a statement about who we are.

But good design is also a precondition of sustainability – poorly designed homes will eventually be torn down. It is the best designed homes that have been preserved over time. It is in this way that we say that building a well designed home is a green feature.

Why are There So Many Poorly Designed Homes?

Books have been written on this subject; and we will not attempt to cover all of the contributing factors here. Starting in the mid 1900’s home building began to move towards “build it faster and cheaper” as the primary goal. As the demand for more square footage took hold, the era of the McMansion was born. The art of architecture was lost to a majority of the homes that have been built every since.

But in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in achieving good design in home building. Homebuyers are returning to historic homes because of a renewed appreciation for their design. And those in the market for a new home are demanding more from builders. But the response has been slow, with builders claiming that good design and affordability are at odds.

However, this need not be the case – affordable, good design has been proven possible countless times. It simply requires more effort. Sage believes in moving away from the McMansion mode of building. This means not judging house primarily on its cost per square foot. High Performance and High Design do translate into a cost increase. But these are costs that can be counterbalanced with less square footage or a less expensive lot. By taking this approach, we can achieve homes with a better value, and homes that are more enjoyable to own.