Build-n-Share #189 **Icy Connections** Due 28th February 2025

Welcome to BNS 189: Icy Connections

You are sitting in the park on a bench, sipping a soda, and watching the children play on the swings and the merry-go-round. Every once in a while, you take a look around, wondering where your new client is. She is very late, nearly a whole hour. But since it is a lovely Friday, you are just mildly concerned and not at all angry about the wasted time. Just as you are thinking of leaving, a young lady plops down on the bench beside you.

"Wow! I am truly sorry," she begins. "Work kept me late. My fast food job. One of three jobs, and I also am taking college courses online as well. Please forgive me." She tries to smile, but you can see she is exhausted.

"You must be Whitney Krauss," you say, smiling back. "I remember your email mentioned a duplex..."

Whitney lets out a big sigh. "Yes. My wonderful uncle on my mom's side passed away last August, and the will was finally just settled. He left me all his money because he didn't have kids of his own. Honestly, it doesn't make me rich or anything. But if it wasn't for two cousins on my dad's side, I could have dropped a job and taken on more classes. But when the Krauss brothers, from Germany no less, heard I inherited money, they decided to move in with me. Me! I have never even met them!" She shakes her head dismally. "When I asked my dad what they were like, he could only say that they followed soccer religiously and drank beer." She turns to look at you. "I had a decent apartment, but it was only a studio, and I certainly don't want to share it with boys. I know it sounds kinda selfish, but I did grow up as an only child. Anyway, my parents recommended I use the inheritance and buy a duplex. That way, I have one side; the cousins have the other side and can pay me rent. I don't mean to take my frustrations out on you, but I do need help badly!"

"Have you already purchased a duplex?" you ask, secretly guessing Whitney hasn't had the time to find one.

"I have looked at a few, but they were very old and had rotting floors and things," Whitney confides to you. "I just could not bring myself to purchase something that looked more like it needed to be torn down than lived in. Maybe you could suggest a property?"

You nod and give her an encouraging smile. "I recently purchased a modest lot for a couple who were going to build their dream home. Unfortunately, they got orders to move to a different area of the country before they could even build- there was some mix-up in the military records office. He had put in for retirement, but somehow it turned out to be re-enlistment paperwork. I have no idea what happened there. The point is, I do have a lot I can sell you for the price I purchased it for, and then I can build a duplex there for you! That way it is brand new and something you will really like!"

Whitney suddenly perks up. "That would be absolutely awesome! I have been dreading repair bills already, but new things will take longer before they need repairs. This is great!"

You get down to business. "How many bedrooms for each side of the duplex? Any ideas about colors? Any must haves on your side? And how much money do we have in the budget?"

"Well, the budget is easy: $275,000 is the amount I inherited, but I already bought a more reliable car and new laptop with some of it. I think I have about $263,000 left. Will that be enough?" Whitney is obviously over her head, and she is starting to look anxious again.

"I think I'll give you a little advice then," you interject. "You don't have to take it. But I would suggest you hold back some of the money as an emergency fund, in case the car needs to be fixed or you lose a job or something. It is good to be prepared for emergencies. I think we can build you a very nice duplex for, say, $240,000. How does that sound?"

"Terrific!" Whitney's face lights up again. "That is very good advice, and I had not thought about those things before. That does make sense. Okay, so each side would be two beds and one bath, and a kitchen and living room... That is mainly what you do get in an apartment. Mom had said to me that two bedrooms rent better than a one bedroom duplex. And colors, hmmm...neutral on their side because I don't know what they like. I want my bedroom as far away from their side, because I am a very light sleeper. My favorite colors are pink and yellow and purple. So any of those or any combination will suit me just fine." She pauses. "They will actually be here at the beginning of next month. How long does it take to build a duplex?"

You assure her that you can have it done by the end of the month. She shares her happiness at picking you as the architect to come to, etc, until she happens to glance at her watch. "Oh my! I am sorry but i have to dash! My next job starts in twenty minutes, and I still have to grab my clothes and shoes for it. Thanks again!"

You wave as she dashes off, and check your notes to make sure you got everything down. You also muse at how very lucky you are not have to hold down three jobs to make ends meet!

The Brief:

The budget is $240,000 (including the price of the lot you choose). Each side of the duplex must have 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen and living room.
One side should be neutral colors; the other side can have pinks, yellows, and/or purples.
Don't forget to landscape!
Note: For Rent is not  required for this challenge, but if you have it, you can  make the duplex a residential  rental. 

The Room Challenge:
$30,000 budget.
Create Whitney's bedroom using some of her favorite colors.

The Sims Challenge:
Create Whitney Krauss and her two male Krauss cousins from Germany.
share their traits, likes, dislikes, and their clothing choices
show the three living in their duplex.

Remember to include the hashtag #bns189 with your build so it can be found. Entries are due by Friday, February 28, 2025, 23:5:59 New York Time/EST

BUILD OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
CHALLENGE #188: Winter Designer Showdown
FORUM ID:
ORIGIN ID:
NEW LOT LINK:
LOT COST:
GALLERY COST:
TOTAL COST: (Lot cost plus gallery cost)
LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW:
ENTRY DETAILS: (Tell us about your lot.)
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS:
SPACE FOR PICTURES:(No more than 2 please)
Facebook: (optional, makes it easier to tag you.)
Twitter: (Optional, makes it easier to tag you.)

SIM ENTRY FORM
CHALLENGE #187 - A Chalet Retreat
FORUM ID:
ORIGIN ID:
LEVEL: (Starting Out, Established, Expert or Master. If this is your first entry, leave blank and the judges will decide where to put you.
HOUSEHOLD:
LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW
ENTRY DETAILS:
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS:
SPACE FOR PICTURES: (No more than 2 please)
Facebook: (optional, makes it easier to tag you.)
Twitter: (Optional, makes it easier to tag you.)

ROOM ENTRY FORM
CHALLENGE #187 - A Chalet Retreat
FORUM ID:
ORIGIN ID:
LEVEL: (Starting Out, Established, Expert or Master. If this is your first entry, leave blank and the judges will decide where to put you.
ROOM: (Link to where the room can be found on The Gallery)
GALLERY COST:
LINK TO ENTRY SLIDESHOW:
ENTRY DETAILS:
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM:
CREDIT FOR CC/RECOLORS:
SPACE FOR PICTURES: