Flex space

A common denominator with many builders — even decades before COVID-19 — is the importance of flex space in home design.

At David Weekley Homes, their brand promise is to provide customers with the best in design, choice, and service. According to brand communications coordinator Corinne Giacomarro, “While we have always offered a variety of ways for buyers to personalize their home to fit their needs, our focus on choice has become more important than ever since COVID-19. We’ve continued to enhance our FlexSpace® options – which we first introduced 30 years ago – to meet the changing needs of our buyers’ lifestyles.”

“We know that for so many during this pandemic, the home has transformed into an office, restaurant, entertainment/hobby space, or daycare for kids or grandkids. For our Encore by David Weekley homebuyers in 55+ lifestyle communities, that might look like adding a retreat that doubles as a hobby room, workout studio, or even a game room for their grandchildren, or incorporating a private study for video calls or a home office,” added Giacomarro.

Back in the summer, Kathy Cioffi, vice president of design for Neal Communities on Florida’s west coast, made a formal presentation to the company’s executive committee proposing numerous home design enhancements specifically targeting life during Covid.

Her recommendations took the flex space concept one step further and dedicated two guest bedrooms as office spaces. The interior design department then created a model home that showed homebuyers how the two-office concept works. Another option is a single room with built-in desk space, shelving, and storage for two.