Here is some much more interesting information about Bill Gates House.

Building officials from a dozen local municipalities toured Bill and
Melinda Gates' house last month, below are the comments from one of the
officials.

- Currently 300 workers including 104 electricians.
- No visible electrical outlets anywhere.  Gates does not like "clutter".
- Construction likely complete in September 997, months behind owner's
  schedule.
- 2 steps from the main floor to the main entry (or take the
  elevator).
- Wood columns from main floor to roof in entry area are over
  70 feet long.
- Theme throughout main floor is high tech. lodge.  Primary
  structure is all exposed similar to large logs in a lodge except the
  logs are PERFECTLY finished.
- All timbers used inside and out are finished the same - inches have
  been removed from the exterior of the wood and then sanded to a satin
  finish.
- All timbers are nearly perfect in that there are almost no knots.
- All connectors are structural grade stainless steel.
- All bolts throughout the house are stainless steel and oriented the same
  direction.
- All woodwork is flawless.  Much of the woodwork is of various rare
  species from all over the world - imported especially for the Gates'.
- Some of the interior passage doors weigh over 800 lbs, but are balanced
  for easy use.
- Accoustics are a concern throughout.  Various woods and fabrics are being
  used.  Accoustic panels in the Ballroom move out of sight on their own.
- Roofing is stainless steel.
- Floor is heated everywhere including the driveway and walks.
- Ventilation system also conditions the air for health and comfort.
- Security system (automated and personnel) is redundant.  Hidden
  cameras everywhere including interior stone walls.  Sensors in the floor
  can track a person to within 6 inches.  System is monitored at the
  Microsoft campus.
- Gates has a personal 4-car garage.  House for the maintenance staff has
  its own-car garage.  Nanny parks in the 6-car carport across from the
  main entry.  An additional 0-cars can be parked in a subterranean
  arched concrete building which through an electronic transformation
  becomes a basketball court.
- Nanny lives in plush quarters in the main residence near to the Gates'
  bedroom.
- Existing cedar tree was determined by Gates to be in the wrong 
  location and moved 6 inches.
- Gates insisted on saving a 40 year old maple adjacent to the driveway.
  The tree is monitored electronically 24 hours per day via computer.  If
  it seems dry, it gets just the right amount of water automatically
  delivered.
- There will be an 8 hole putting range.
- A salmon hatchery is being finished.
- If you wish, your music will follow you throughout the house - even at
  the bottom of the pool.
- Many doors are blended so well with the walls that it is hard to see
  them.
- Theatre (underground in a concrete shell) is the most state of the art
  theatre in the world according to specialty contractor.
- Entry gate senses when your car approaches and opens fully by the time
  you arrive.
- Very old antique cabinets from China have been brought in and built into
  the walls with adjacent paneling built to match the cabinets exactly.
- 52 miles of communication cable in the building.
- Shower curtain next to the spa is a 4500 lb slab of granite