With his background in residential architecture and experience working for large, publicly traded builders such as KB Home, Kevin Crook has developed a keen understanding of just what services he is in a position to provide his primary client, the new-home production builder.

"It encompasses a lot of things, Crook says. "Basically, itís trying to build efficiencies into any given plan.

For example, a design that centralizes plumbing in a core area or stacks walls through the house so the builder doesnít need to introduce extra posts and beams means the builder can save money in those areas that the homebuyer doesnít see (and thus doesnít perceive as having any value) and put it into something such as cabinets or fixtures or flooring.

"It ís more than eyewash, Crook says. "I can design five houses, and all will have the same square footage, but all can have different hard costs to build. If I can build one that is more efficient, then my client can put the saved money into areas where the buyer can see it and really appreciate it.

Crook incorporates certain design elements into every home he works on. He tries to create what he calls horizontal volume, or a feeling of spaciousness, which he says is particularly important in a smaller home, to make it feel as large as it possibly can.

Building in Southern California, Crook deals with local jurisdictions that he says are very sophisticated regarding product type and design and are becoming more so. Even something as utilitarian as a garage requires increasingly creative arrangements, down to specific designs for corner lots.

Many jurisdictions also are requiring more authentic architecture. To that end Crook has been using high-density foam products for exterior elements such as shutters, trims and cornice detailing. "You can see the difference between communities that have been required to raise the bar and those that havenít, he says.