High Performance, Higher Luxury
John Riddle, Vice President of Turning Leaf Custom Homes, described the company’s entry into high performance homebuilding as never part of a grand business plan. Turning Leaf did not start as a builder but an installer of insulated concrete form (ICF) wall systems. In 2012, while working on a ICF installation project, the homeowners believed in the company’s skills and asked if Turning Leaf could construct the whole home.
“We agreed, somewhat naively believing that if we understood how to build a high-performance structure, we could learn the rest along the way,” said Riddle. “What we quickly discovered was not only a passion for custom homebuilding, but a unique opportunity to bring together luxury architecture and sustainable construction in a way that was not common in our market at the time.”
This project laid the foundation for the builder’s philosophy today, delivering sustainable and resilient homes without compromising on a luxury experience or architectural distinction.
A Breeze
One of Turning Leaf’s projects, Pickett Breeze, is located in Orlando, Fla. The home sits on a two-and-a-half-acre property along the shores of Lake Pickett. It is 7,920 square feet of living space with five-bedrooms, five-bathrooms and a two-car garage.
Turning Leaf described the most difficult aspect of the project was the site design on a narrow lot. Through extensive engineering and thoughtful design, the Turning Leaf team balanced significant elevation changes and environmental considerations such as wetland setbacks and stormwater retention.
Approaching Pickett Breeze, the perfectly placed landscape design of greenery includes palm trees that frame the entrance of the home. The architecture emphasizes angular yet contemporary lines with a complimentary pop of color from the exciting turquoise garage doors.
The ICF construction is reflected in the clean, cool facade while bringing remarkable benefits for the location, including hurricane resistance, energy efficiency, sound attenuation and durability. Inside the home, the open-concept living space prioritizes connection from the living spaces to the outdoors. Large walls of glass frame panoramic views of the resort-style pool and lake access.
Throughout the home, Turning Leaf delivered on tailored details in the project such as a home office and a laundry room with a dedicated dog-wash station. The home’s consistent pops of blue are playful yet elegant, perfect for a home that is a permanent vacation.
The rear elevation of the home was designed to open the relationship between the indoor living spaces and the waterfront setting. It offers views from the interior with intentional window placement and a serene balcony to a covered outdoor kitchen and entertainment space.
Exceptionally Green
In the central Florida humid subtropical climate, comfort is a non-negotiable for many buyers. Pickett Breeze balances humidity control, air quality and long-term resilience without sacrificing on elevated design.
“We’ve always believed that a high-performance home should never feel clinical or compromised,” said Ryan Bitzer, Turning Leaf Custom Homes President. “A home can be resilient, energy efficient and sustainable while still being warm, luxurious and deeply personal to the family living in it. We believe the future of luxury homebuilding is rooted in that balance.”
The home achieved Gold certification from Florida Green Building Coalition and boasts a HERS Score of -37. Behind this certification is the company’s hallmark six-inch insulated ICF wall system combined with an exceptionally engineered building envelope, advanced HVAC strategies and high-performance mechanical systems.
“From a performance standpoint, one of the most unique aspects of the project is that many of its most advanced sustainable features are largely invisible to the homeowner experience,” said Riddle.
Pickett Breeze also incorporates a 27.65 kW solar photovoltaic system designed to offset and exceed the home’s energy demands. Turning Leaf intentionally designed the system to support future battery backup integration to support the homeowner’s long-term energy independence goals.
Recognized Design
In 2025, the project won an Aurora Award for Best Custom Home 5,000 to 10,000 square feet from the Florida Home Builders Association. This was the first project Turning Leaf submitted for consideration. Its accolades represent more than technical execution, but a celebration of the company’s core belief.
“Seeing a homeowner’s vision evolve from early conceptual discussions into an award-winning custom home is an incredibly fulfilling experience for our team,” said Riddle. “They reaffirm the philosophy that has guided our company since its earliest days, that sustainable, energy-efficient homes can also be luxurious, architecturally stunning and highly personalized to the families who live in them.”
Photo Credit: JRP Inspired Architectural Photo
By Sofia Feeney. She is the Editor at Green Home Builder and may be reached at sofia@builder.media.
This story is featured in the read the May/June issue of Green Home Builder, read the print version.
