{"id":158366,"date":"2026-02-17T13:37:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T13:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158366\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T13:37:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T13:37:53","slug":"orlandos-final-ibs-showcase-is-the-house-that-light-built","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158366\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando’s final IBS showcase is ‘the house that light built’"},"content":{"rendered":"

For all the glass, all the concrete, the giant slabs of stone, the car elevator \u2026 the most memorable and impactful feature of the 2026 New American Home<\/a> is its celebration of light.<\/p>\n

And that was intentional. It\u2019s why owner Jason Eichenholz calls it \u201cThe House that Light Built.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the first time the National Association of Homebuilders has selected a private residence as its showcase for the International Builders\u2019 Show, which runs Feb. 17-20.\u00a0 Eichenholz, founder and CEO of Relativity Networks, commissioned the design and collaborated with architect Michael Wenrich<\/a> and Alair Homes Orlando<\/a> to bring the vision to reality.<\/p>\n

\"MoreMore than 5,000 visitors will tour The New American Home this week during the International Builders Show in Orlando. The 16,612-square-foot showcase was built by Alair Homes Orlando. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason it\u2019s the house that light built is I\u2019ve spent the last 30 years of my career doing science, engineering, and commercialization of light-based products: spectrometers on Mars, or measuring things at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, or cancer detection systems, or lidar for self-driving cars,\u201d Eichenholz told GrowthSpotter. \u201cAnd now, the next generation of telecommunications and hollow core fiber in my newest company, Relativity. So, that\u2019s what we\u2019ve done. That\u2019s what I\u2019ve done professionally, and that\u2019s how I\u2019m able to build the house that we have today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 16,612-square-foot estate is flooded with sunlight from double-height windows at the front and back. The custom-designed acrylic chandelier towering above the great room captures the natural luminescence, refracting it onto the walls during the day. And at night, the lit chandelier creates a stunning work of art that can be seen and appreciated by the neighbors on Lake Osceola.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The ribbon-like acrylic chandelier and art piece was created by the homeowner and light artist Josh Almeida. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The acrylic chandelier creates a rainbow effect by refracting the sunlight onto the living room walls. (Photo by Josh Almeida)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The chandelier has programmable LED lights embedded into the edge of the acrylic surface. (Photo by Josh Almeida)<\/p>\n

\"Staging<\/p>\n

Staging continues in the living room atrium of the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

The ribbon-like acrylic chandelier and art piece was created by the homeowner and light artist Josh Almeida. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Eichenholz enlisted Josh Almeida from @42 Audio\/Visual<\/a> to create the statement piece.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not even close to what we started with,\u201d he said. \u201cWe started with something else completely different, and as we talked more about it, it\u2019s a very unique space, and we wanted to have something that really leverages that horizontal nature of it and provides lighting, but also provides art. And that\u2019s just what we did. So we co-created it, we had a bunch of different concepts, and then that\u2019s where we landed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every room of the house features products and systems that infuse photonics technology.\u00a0Lutron\u2019s new Lumaris<\/a> technology, featuring tunable and dimmable lights, along with a highly customizable smart home lighting system, is installed throughout the house. The cocktail bar, covered with backlit Dekton<\/a> countertops, literally glows.<\/p>\n

Even the Numi 2.0 smart toilets from Kohler<\/a>, which retail for around $17,000, light up when someone enters the bathroom. Oh, and they also rinse your bottom, sing to you, and automatically lower the seat when you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n

The TVs and appliances from LG employ cutting-edge smart technology, and \u00a0SKS ovens<\/a> use AI to monitor food as it cooks. Each bathroom is equipped with a smart sensor from AutoHot<\/a> that detects when someone enters the room and activates the tankless water heater.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The bar was installed with LED lighting underneath the Dekton countertop, which creates a glowing effect. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

\"Staging<\/p>\n

Staging continues in the living room of the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

\"Senior<\/p>\n

Senior project manager John Altman opens the doors to the Accessory Dwelling Unit in the backyard at the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

\"Builder<\/p>\n

Builder Jim Krantz and senior project manager John Altman in the living room atrium of the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

\"Staging<\/p>\n

Staging continues in the library of the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The main kitchen features a suite of LG SKS smart appliances and a giant island. There’s also a second catering kitchen hidden from view. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The infinity-edge pool disappears into the view of Lake Osceola at The New American Home 2026. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

\"More<\/p>\n

More than 100 solar panels and a battery bank from Generac help the home achieve a net-zero energy efficiency rating. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 8<\/p>\n

The bar was installed with LED lighting underneath the Dekton countertop, which creates a glowing effect. (Courtesy of NAHB\/Photo Ian Roth Photography)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s light-based technology everywhere in that house,\u201d Eichenholz said.<\/p>\n

The multiple fireplaces, inside and outside, enhance the design and generate a different kind of light.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of fire features,\u201d Alair project manager John Altman said. \u201cSo at nighttime, when the lights are on, and the pool lights are on, and all this is lit up, it\u2019s gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an infinity-edge pool overlooking the lake, a private detached office with disappearing glass walls, an apartment over the garage, a catering kitchen with a private entrance, a library and two spas. The summer kitchen has a grill, a smoker and a pizza oven.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s just above ground. To house the owner\u2019s car collection, Alair excavated 16 feet of earth to build a 6,200-square-foot basement with an 18-car underground garage, a car elevator and turntable. The concrete walls are 10 inches thick. It also has an arcade, a wine cellar, a theater room with a 170-inch screen, and a private gym with an infrared sauna and cold plunge. Eichenholz said he gets more questions about the basement than any other room in the house.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A wide-angle view of the arcade area and car elevator in the 6,800 square-foot basement at the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A wide-angle view of the 6,800 square-foot basement at the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) EMBARGOED UNTIL FEB. 17<\/p>\n

\"Senior<\/p>\n

Senior project manager John Altman demonstrates the garage elevator in the 6,800 square-foot basement at the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The finished house will be on display to attendees during the upcoming 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) EMBARGOED UNTIL FEB. 17<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 3<\/p>\n

A wide-angle view of the arcade area and car elevator in the 6,800 square-foot basement at the NAHB New American Home showcase house on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel) <\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I thought the basement was just going to be for me, you know, to park my cars, watch movies, a game room, all that stuff,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople love the basement \u2014 more than I anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alair Partner Jim Krantz said the basement was the most challenging aspect of the build, but it\u2019s also his favorite room. \u201cThis is easily a three-year build that we\u2019ve built in 14 months,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I think about all the subcontractors and all the hard work and dedication that everybody put into this, it is absolutely amazing and kind of a once-in-a-lifetime event and opportunity,\u201d he added. \u201cI mean, this is the biggest builders\u2019 show in the world, and to be a part of that, we are so honored and blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Krantz said the publicity surrounding the home generated so much business that Alair opened a second office in Orlando. But he didn\u2019t take the job for the prestige. He felt a personal connection to the project because both he and Eichenholz are parents of children with autism.\n<\/p>\n

Eichenholz is matching the value of all donated products for the showhome \u2014 over $2 million \u2014 with a contribution to his nonprofit, Jonathan\u2019s Landing Foundation<\/a>, which aims to create housing and job support for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He\u2019s also using the home as a venue for fundraising events to support the foundation.<\/p>\n

He already has two events lined up for the week after the builders\u2019 show, including one from the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), and will delay his move-in date for a few weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m opening this house up to 5,000, 6,000, however many people to come through, and I\u2019m talking to you about my home, using it as a platform and a catalyst to talk about the crisis of housing and employment for adults with autism,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a means to an end to go help solve this crisis and shine a light into a community, and to go do good. That was the intent of home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Have a tip about Central Florida development? Contact me at\u00a0lkinsler@GrowthSpotter.com<\/a>\u00a0or (407) 420-6261. Follow GrowthSpotter on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For all the glass, all the concrete, the giant slabs of stone, the car elevator \u2026 the most…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":158367,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[558,15891,28,114,15892,1335,11477,139,141,140,480,109,4567],"class_list":["post-158366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-business","tag-central-florida-notable-home-sales","tag-florida","tag-latest-headlines","tag-notable-home-sales","tag-orange-county","tag-orange-county-developments","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-real-estate","tag-social","tag-winter-park"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=158366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}