Reflection Room

While the all-glass conservatory in this 7,875-square-foot luxury home constructed for Atlanta's 2004 Street of Dreams was one of the show's hottest rooms, the attention it garnered had nothing to do with the temperature inside. "This room made the house stand out from the rest. It was the most talked-about space of all," says builder Jerry Tedder, who served as general contractor for the spec house, which was built in conjunction with the HBA of Midwest Georgia.

The dramatic space serves as an extension of the two-story French Country-style home's kitchen area and features 10-foot glass walls and a 15-foot glass ceiling resting on a framework of Douglas fir beams. "Most people initially thought the room would be too hot, particularly in this climate, but this was definitely not the case," says Tedder.

All of the windows in the room, from the walls to the ceiling, feature specially coated glass that resists the negative effects of sunlight by blocking infrared and ultraviolet light. "Using this type of glass for structural walls and ceilings has been standard in commercial buildings for years," says Kevin Barrett of Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Custom Sunroom Designs, who designed, fabricated, and installed the conservatory for this project. "We're using commercial products to bring drama into residential construction."

This conservatory is built on the home's basement foundation and functions as an integral part of the living space. "It is not just a seasonal space," says Tedder. "It can be used all year round."

A southern orientation exposes the space to heat and light throughout the day. "It really put our product to the test," says Barrett.

The reflective quality of the exterior surface of the glass walls also provides the interior space with a degree of privacy, according to Tedder. "You have almost a mirror effect from the outdoors."

Barrett recommends that sun rooms such as this be designed with a separate heating/cooling zone from the rest of the house. "You have to expect that, because of all of the glass, this space will be the least efficient one to heat and cool. Glass walls only offer about an R-5 rating."

Although conventional heating systems are sufficient to maintain temperature control of this space, he says the best solution for new applications is to install in-floor radiant heating.

"Sun rooms can be designed to match any architectural style," says Barrett. For this project, the room features an American-influenced style that includes heavier timbers in the roof, larger pieces of glass, and a deeper color in the glass itself for increased sun management.

The home was completed in August 2004.

Style of Home ¦ French Country

Location ¦ Tyrone, Ga.

Total Square Footage ¦ 7,875 (heated); 9,759 (under roof)

Estimated Market Value ¦ $1 million

Builder ¦ Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia/Jerry Tedder, General Contractor, Fayetteville, Ga.

Architect ¦ L. Mitchell Ginn, Newnan, Ga.

Interior Design ¦ Jean Howell, Ethan Allen, Peachtree City, Ga.

Conservatory: Custom Sunroom Designs, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Spec-Built Luxury Home for the 2004 Atlanta Street of Dreams at River Oaks

Major Products Used ¦ Windows: Monarch ¦ Flooring: Cherry