Sustainable Design Blog

Sustainable Residential Design Considerations for Florida


INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN FLORIDA:

Being in a sub-tropical climate, sustainable design in Florida faces some unique challenges. Here are some of our thoughts, especially related to designing a Passive House, and trying to get to Net Zero energy use, in the hot and humid climate of Florida.

Here is a good illustration of climate zones in the USA from the IECC. Note the white line that indicates the Warm and Humid area of the country. Most of Florida is in Climate Zone 2.

 

Need more, related inspiration? Check out these other perspectives that will help you make other green building considerations:

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Carlson Studio Garners “Most Outstanding LEED for Homes” Honor

Carlson Studio Architecture took top honors Saturday night in the LEED for Homes category at the U.S. Green Building Council-South Florida chapter’s GALA Verde competition.  President Michael Carlson of Carlson Studio Architecture accepted the first place award on behalf of the firm’s 2009 HGTV Green Home entry at the sold-out event held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort in Fort Lauderdale.  The resort is a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program.

“We are incredibly humbled to be recognized with this honor,” Carlson stated from the podium.  “South Florida architecture enjoys an enviable reputation and the caliber of competition this year was considerable.”

Celebrating its 3rd year recognizing and honoring outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals and chapter members who are LEEDing the way to a more sustainable built environment in South Florida, this year’s GALA Verde was a veritable “who’s who” in green building design and construction throughout South Florida. Eligible entries had to be located in one of the following counties:  Indian River, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade or Monroe.

Judges evaluated nominees on their demonstration of a holistic approach toward integrating green building and sustainable practices and principles into the design, execution and operation of their project, business or individual leadership efforts as well as the development of innovative solutions to regional challenges.

The HGTV 2009 Green Home is located in the planned community of Tradition in Port St. Lucie on Florida’s southeast Treasure Coast.  The home is LEED Platinum Certified by the US Green Building Council.  It is a 2,430-square-foot contemporary home that incorporates traditional design elements. In addition to Architect Michael Carlson, members of the design/build project team were HGTV Dream Home Planner Manager Jack Thomasson along with Interior Designer Linda Woodrum, Tradition President Wes McCurry, Contractor Leon Camarda and Landscape Architect Scott Davidson.

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