ARH in the News
AMERICAN RENAISSANCE HOMES CAN BE AS UNIQUE AS ITS OWNER SPECIAL FEATURES GIVE IT THAT HOMEY TOUCH
NEW ORLEANS, LA, AUGUST 2006 – Now that people living along the Gulf Coast have familiarized themselves with the concept of a modular home, they are fast learning that these homes can have as many unique features as they want. Just because the home is built off-site, doesn’t mean it can’t take on the personality and charm of the neighborhood where they are placed.
“It is extremely important that homeowners have choices when choosing the look of their new modular home,” explains Kimberly Finney, AIA, and Assistant Vice President of Construction for American Renaissance Homes (ARH). Finney is also ARH’s in-house architect who is designing four different home facades that can replace the typical front of a modular home. As Finney explains, “Instead of the standard ranch-style look, homeowners in St. Bernard Parish can choose a Greek Revival Three Face Façade or Cajun cottage exterior. We are determined to make it easy for homeowners to choose a style that fits their personal taste and sets them apart from their neighbor. We know residents in St. Bernard don’t want a block of copycat houses.”
This exterior feature is just one of many amenities ARH is offering to homeowners. Besides the façades, Finney and Modinger are designing additional components, which include wide porches, decorative columns and railings, and custom designed windows and doors that resemble the familiar yet older Uptown home. “We are even working on a 1920s shotgun style façade that we hope to make available as an exterior option,” Finney adds.
If anyone is keenly aware of neighborhood architecture in the area, it is Finney and Modinger. The duo is not only business partners, but husband and wife and together they launched Diagram Real Estate in 2004, working on home designs and real estate projects throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area. Then Hurricane Katrina struck and shortly after, Finney was hired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a long- term recovery planner, where she focused on housing issues. While working with FEMA, Finney met other recovery team members and their friendship turned into a business venture that is today American Renaissance Homes.
As Modinger explains, “It was obvious early on that rebuilding was going to take some “out of the box” thinking. He adds, “When so much has to be rebuilt, you want a plan that preserves the look and atmosphere of the parish involved. At the same time, you need that plan to advance quickly so people can move on and find some normalcy in life. We think we have that plan and will do everything we can to help the residents of St. Bernard Parish rebuild quickly.”
As added lagniappe for homeowners, ARH is offering potential buyer the option of meeting with Finney and Modinger to discuss upgrades and other features that can personalize each home. In addition, ARH can work with homeowners who need help with designs for handicap accessible homes or other special needs.
American Renaissance Partnerships
We can help with Financing, Insurance, and Design because of our strategic partnerships with others.