Page 43 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2020 Issue

The Element

House Showcase home. Carefully

positioned LED lighting is a key part
It’s lights out at this custom home—and of the Element House’s net zero
and sustainably based charm.
that’s a very good thing. CREDIT: RYAN GAMMA PHOTOGRAPHY

HE HOMEOWNERS’ VISION for this project was for a
minimalist structure, built beyond the code in terms of
structure, systems and performance. The goal, according to
designers, was to create a home that reduced dependency on
T the power grid with a focus on natural and passive systems.
The intended performance was to achieve Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum and Net Zero Energy certi cation.
Situated on a narrow †‡-foot-wide lot, this home in Sarasota, Florida
was designed as a primary residence that the owners could use just for
themselves or to accommodate family and friends.
Strategically placed operable windows allow for passive heating,
cooling, ventilation and lighting, thus reducing dependency on mechanical
systems for comfort. These fundamental and simple architectural features
stand in contrast to the cutting edge controls used to operate the variable
speed HVAC and low voltage lighting systems.
Natural light fuses harmoniously with the architecture and windows
bring daylight into every room—even closets and pantries. These
innovations become the de ning feature throughout the home. Smart fenestration. Strategically placed operable windows allow for passive
heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, reducing dependency on mechanical
Along with being ultra-insulated, the home has achieved one of the
lowest air-in ltration rates tested locally and nationally. Performance systems for comfort. CREDIT: RYAN GAMMA PHOTOGRAPHY
testing shows it in the top one percent of all ENERGY STAR homes.
Passive lighting and ventilation, shading, and use of local materials and
a high-performance building envelope all contribute to achieving a Home
Energy Rating System (HERS) rating of minus ’†.
An optimized solar array is in place to pick up where conservation
e•orts left o•. One hundred percent automated LED lighting was installed
throughout the project. The home features the owner’s artwork, so it
was imperative that much thought was given to controlling natural and
arti cial light. Window blinds that adjust automatically and smartphone
operated controls are integrated throughout the home.
Located in a –ood zone, the architectural design o•ers a non-traditional
–oor plan, employed to maximize natural daylight and tropical breezes. Million-dollar vieww. Care was taken to protect existing vegetation and add only
The landscape was a critical of this project. The minimalist goals of the drought-friendly plants to the landscape, in an effort to make the project’s
architecture translated to the landscape design. The existing shoreline environmental impact as light as possible. CREDIT: RYAN GAMMA PHOTOGRAPHY
vegetation was protected and nursed to health during the construction.
The rest of the new landscaping was intentionally selected to lend scale non-compacted earth to speed absorption and minimize bay impacts.
and designed to soften the rigid forms of the architecture. The placement A bay-friendly maintenance program is in place to help maintain the
of large trees frame and enhance the views while providing shade. integrity of the local waterways.
Only Florida-friendly, drought-tolerant plants were used and site water This project marries design technique and advanced engineering to
retention and permeability was maximized. All roof runo• is diverted create a truly sustainable house with an emphasis on simplicity, comfort,
and collected on site, and within cisterns for irrigation needs. and e™ciency. The design goes back to basics with true sustainability using
Only brass-bodied LED landscape lighting was purchased and installed. shade, natural ventilation and daylight, local materials and sympathy with
Rainwater on the site is managed through low-sloped swales with the Florida landscape. GB

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