@dale said:

I just became aware of this company Huf Haus premanufactured housing.

C'mon Mr. Dale.... my favourite prefab company. From what I read, they had some potential clients in my country, (Romania) but they refuse to build here. It's something regarding the weather. I watched many times that episode from "grand designs" show, where they build the house in four days, somewhere in UK. Before they return to Germany, they clean the car and the tools. German people are awesome!!
I'll check the new site, thanks for the link.

Yes, good luck! Don't forget to download the keyboard shortcut guide from here http://www.blenderguru.com/blog/ I have it printed, and you'll need it. Start with some tutorials, before you jump right into it, it will be confusing, with the clicks and cursor.
Here are some places where you can find good tutorials for getting you started:
http://www.blendtuts.com/blender_tutorials
http://cgcookie.com/blender/

Thanks for the link, Vale, simple and clear.

John, follow this link http://www.lithonia.com/photometrics.aspx and download all photometric data files.
As you can see, there are some categories for different type of applications, indoor, outdoor,commercial,
etc. Use that free viewer and browse only the category of ies files that you need. The viewer is quite fast, it renders the cone of light in a sec.
Cheers,
Stefan

Michalis, I admire your talent and dedication, but I keep ask myself why you still have that avatar and not one of your amazing "doodles" .
And by the way...if that is a doodle, we all should grow corn.
Regards,
Stefan

Nothing bad to say about the renderings, looks neat, framed very nice. But I must confess... I really like the architecture, you guys are doing a great job there (in your country).
Cheers,
Stefan

It will look good with blood. Oups! I mean with red.
Good job!

'possible greenland' - 'inhabiting' by quarsoq tegnestue, clement & carlsen architects and tegnestuen vandkunsten
The project develops new visions for greenland's future, addressing the challenges and opportunities it faces as ice melts, vast mineral resources become accessible and new industries and urban cultures emerge.
image designboom
http://vimeo.com/user12262580/newarcticbuildingpractice

You're welcome, unfortunately I can't share it, because it is commercial, but you will find free hdri with amazing quality here: http://www.openfootage.net/?cat=15

John, 50% means 0,5. Default is 1. So if u use a map in reflection glossiness, use 0,5 glossiness, NOT texture multiplier.
Since I jumped into this, I did some experiments based on my experience, so that doesn't mean that are 100% correct.
I'm using HDRI map in both GI Color and BG Color , IM and DMC,physical camera disabled .
I have bump map with 0,01 multiplier. Reflection glossiness and highlight glossiness always set to 1.
Image 1
I just added reflection layer to the material, with 1,55 Fresnel.
Image 2
I added the specular map to the perpendicular slot of the Fresnel. Note how nice the bump of the material is now defined (the bump is the same, 0,01)
Image 3
I added the same specular map to the Reflection Glossiness slot.
This is where I usually stop. Adding the map to the highlight glossiness doesn't seams to affect the look of the material.

I thought you are just a hardcore modeller. Brilliant work man, the grass looks fantastic!
Well done, Alvis!

Read your post and look at your avatar.....lucky you !

Looks very good, Nicholas. Maybe a rug under the table...don't know, it's like too much floor in the image .
The drawers under the cooker could be problematic, if this is a real project. And AO it's a bit too much.
Cheers,
Stefan

Mayor, thanks for the link. In my country, people homes are big, ugly, inefficient in every aspect. People with money, of course.
It strikes me every time I read something like this:
"The house requires a heating system with an output of just 4 kW (the equivalent of a single radiator) for the entire 200 sqm house! Facit buildings are designed to be airtight, so as not to lose heat. This necessitates the implementation of a heat recovery system that draws in fresh air and expels stale air, while retaining the warmth."
And by the way....the houses are beautiful!
Cheers!
Stefan

Welcome back, Oli. To be truly sincere, I was thinking that something worse happened.
But I didn't had the guts to ask. Glad everything is fine now.

Excellent set of images! However, in every single image, my eyes ended up on the ceiling. It is kind of predominant. Did you tried some other colours (even white) to see if it's less overwhelming?
Anyway, I think you're very smart, making modern to look classic.
Cheers,
Stefan

OMG!!!
This is Christopher Nichols . I didn't recognized him until the end. This man is a God.
Thanks Valero!

http://www.sketchupvraymaterials.blogspot.ro/p/download-vray-material-model.html

You'll be amazed how many times I heard that. Today, almost all of the folks (people who express your feelings) are doing fine. Great actually. So, don't be lazy!
Cheers!