June 4, 2009
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Keith Groninger stood inside the $2.185 million award-winning home he designed and talked about attending Glenridge Middle School, which once stood on the same Winter Park property.
He has designed and built homes in Orlando for more than 20 years — focusing on the Winter Park area for the last seven — always making sure to respect the area's history and tradition.
Lujo Rustico, which means 'rustic luxury', won first place in the Parade of Homes Green Certified Custom Home $2.0-$2.2 million category, but Groninger admits he didn't set out to build just a green home.
"I think of it as a high-end home that happens to be green," he said.
The team at Groninger Custom Homes takes clients, including Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley, from drawing board to dream-come-true.
"My favorite part is starting with a blank palette and a theme, which makes it easier for me understand what they want and makes it easier for them to make decisions and selections," Groninger said.
Groninger chose Spanish mission architecture for Lujo Rustico, imagining the buyer might be a 50-something couple seeking a smaller luxury home, but who will entertain the whole family during the holidays.
A buyer looking to store some "toys" would benefit from the two-plus-one car garages. They could entertain friends and clients in the adjoining casita separate from the main house.
The open floor plan centers around a private courtyard and outside fireplace, flanked by a covered entryway and the versatile casita space, which can function as separate living quarters, an office or entertainment area.
The Windsong-Knowles Place home blends details of southwest mission's wrought iron, stucco and pueblo influences with northern California mission styles influenced by the Italian and French wine country. 
"Missions were built about a day's walk apart," Groninger said of the missions stretching up the Pacific coast.
Wide plank oak floors, rustic beams, cypress tresses, and thick archways of brick and stone surround the dining area and entrances to the Sala Grande and the gourmet cocina kitchen. Built-in niches hold candles and water fountains.
Groninger said European and South American families often supplied their own cabinetry so family furniture pieces would sit on kitchen counters. Dark craftsman-style cabinets with folding pocket doors enclose appliances, and there is a separate "butler's pantry."
Ceiling heights vary throughout and light floods in from many windows and through the tall bi-fold french doors, which open up to a 15 foot space on the decorative pool area. Submerged bar stools are positioned near pieces of jutting flagstones that can accommodate glasses. The flagstone and pebbles in the pool area percolate down through the ground which adds to the green design.
The centerpiece of the master bathroom features a freestanding tub carved from a single stone weighing 2,500 pounds. Although it looks like an exotic sculpture, it is completely functional. Water spills over its sides and drains back down through a bed of pebbles.
Described as "green and sexy" the home includes double-pane windows, tankless water heater, climate zones, drought tolerant landscaping, and a weather resistant deck and trellis made of a wood-alternative material. The house, which faces south, has awnings to compensate for the summer sun while the courtyard on the eastern side takes advantage of the afternoon and cooler evening shade.
"One thing we learned is that a green house doesn't have to look any different," Groninger said. "It is just a smart way to build."
Does Groninger worry about finding a buyer in the current real estate market?
"I think there is a lot of pent-up demand," he said. "If there are buyers in Winter Park in this price range, I hope they see this house. People want to build; they're just waiting for some good news."
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