Filed under: Air Quality, Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, design, Energy Efficiency, Hot Topic, Materials, Resources, Sustainable Living | Tags: Architect, architecture, batt insulation, best insulation, Building, construction, design, foil insulation, hot topic, insulation, Miami, miami beach, residential, residential insulation, rigid insulation, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, southflorida, spray insulation
There’s a reason why an increasing number of people choose to call Florida home. The beautiful weather and gorgeous landscapes can’t be beaten. However, as with any warm climate, special considerations need to be taken to ensure that a house, whether new construction or an existing home, is as comfortable and cost-efficient as possible, all year-round.
The importance of residential insulation
It may seem like a house in a temperate area like Miami wouldn’t need much insulation, but the opposite is true. While houses in colder regions of the country require insulation to keep the heat in, homes in southern Florida must be insulated to hold the heat at bay and minimize the amount of work the A/C has to do.
The history of insulation use
People have been using some form of insulation for millennia. From fur-covered hides stretched over wooden frames in prehistorical times to the advent of fiberglass insulation in the 1930s and modern blown-in foam, insulation has played a significant part in making homes more comfortable and hospitable. Luckily, there is no longer a need for hair-on hides, but the modern options are greater than ever.
The best types of insulation for South Florida homes
Choosing insulation that matches the architecture of a home is important. For instance, a house with a vaulted ceiling will require a different type of insulation that will work with the home’s interior design, as opposed to a single-level ranch where it will not be obvious. The most crucial factor is the R-value of insulation. R-value indicates how well insulation will perform in keeping heat from either entering or leaving your home. The higher the number, the more efficient it will be.
Batt Insulation
Batt insulation is sold in rolls or strips. It is appropriate for walls, ceilings, and floors. It is made from fiberglass or rock wool and, while one of the older forms of insulation, it is still popular.
Blown-in Fiberglass or Cellulose Insulation
Both blown-in fiberglass and cellulose insulation gained popularity between the 1950s and 1990s. They are a particularly popular option for attics and walls. Cellulose has been shown to have a higher R-value than fiberglass. The downside to these insulations is that they can be messy if attics or other areas must be accessed regularly.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has become a popular choice for many homes. It is easily applied (by qualified contractors) to walls and roofs and is shown to be watertight while having a high R-value.
Rigid Insulation
Also known as foam board insulation, rigid insulation can be used in any part of the home. It can be cut to size and is easily removed if need be. It is advantageous in areas where blown-in or foam insulation may not be practical.
Foil Insulation
Foil insulation is an excellent option in hot climates in that it reflects heat away from the foil surface. Its thin composition makes it ideal for pairing with other insulations, such as batt insulation. Therefore, installing the foil side facing out will keep heat from moving through the walls and roof into the living areas.
Ready to start your own project? Contact Sebastian Eilert Architecture for your Architectural and Interior Design project needs.
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Filed under: Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, Hot Topic, Materials, Resources, Uncategorized, Waste | Tags: Architect, architecture, building blocks, building knowledge, design, environment, Green, hot topic, plastic, recycle, residential, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, sustainable, technology, Waste
Turning hard to recycle plastics into building blocks for construction, ByFusion has diverted 100 tons of plastic from landfills.
— Read on www.goodnewsnetwork.org/byfusion-turns-100-tons-of-nonrecyclable-plastic-into-building-blocks/
Filed under: Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, design, Energy Efficiency, Materials, Resources, Sustainable Living | Tags: Architect, architecture, climate, design, homes, hot topic, LEED, Miami, residential, residential design, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, south florida, USGBC
Sustainable “green” building and the integration of smart designs into architecture and homes have both gained momentum since the creation of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in the early 1990s.
Globally, there are more than 500,000 LEED-certified residential homes, including single-family, multifamily and affordable housing units. Out of these, 400,000 are located in the USA, showing the importance of the nation’s efforts to lead the world’s sustainable architecture with residential design and new builds.
In 2020 alone, over 24,000 residential units and 4,700 commercial projects were given LEED certification globally, with over 1,100 of those buildings being constructed in the USA. This trend of combining smart design into new builds and homes also continues to grow in Miami, Orlando, Tampa and throughout North, Central and South Florida.
The LEED Rating System
At its core, the LEED rating system encourages architects and builders to use sustainable building materials and smart designs in new builds that protect the environment while improving the lives of people who use these buildings.
LEED-certified homes and buildings might focus on micro-living, use less water and electricity, have a lower carbon footprint, be made from sustainable materials and be designed for better accessibility for people with disabilities. The overarching goal of LEED certification is to create spaces that support health and wellbeing.
Buildings awarded LEED certification are designed to:
- Reduce the amount of waste associated with the building.
- Lower the building’s overall costs.
- Conserve water and energy.
- Reduce harmful emissions.
The Top States for LEED-Certified Buildings
According to the USGBC (US Green Building Council), Florida has done well in supporting LEED construction projects all over the state, from North to South Florida. In 2018, Florida had the eighth-highest number of LEED-certified buildings based on square footage.
California took first place for that year with a total of 768,940,808 square feet, while Florida had 154,686,673 square feet. The following year, Florida fell off the LEED Top 10 list for square footage. However, by 2020, the state had stayed in the top 10 at number four for the total number of LEED credential holders, behind California, New York and Texas. These talented professionals of Florida include some of the best builders, designers and architects around.
Having a large pool of industry professionals in the state who are maintaining their LEED certifications gives hope for the future of sustainable architecture, residential design and green new builds in Florida. It also puts the right professionals within arm’s reach of any local Floridians considering new residential builds or micro-living and who want to combine smart design and sustainable architecture into future homes and residential designs.
LEED Projects in Florida
Even though Florida has fallen off the USGBC Top 10 list in recent years, there are still some inspiring projects and homes with smart design in mind that have been constructed recently. The cities of Tallahassee, Orlando and Tampa have each been awarded Gold LEED certification, as well as Miami Beach in South Florida in July 2021. This certification highlights each city’s focus on combining sustainability, resilience and inclusion into key aspects of city planning, housing, transportation and workforce development.
Two of the great residential projects in South Florida include:
• Live Oak House in St. Augustine
This residential design in St. Augustine received Platinum LEED certification in 2017 thanks to its energy-efficient smart design principles. The architect of this house designed it for improved airflow in a North/South direction to naturally combat hot temperatures, while making it out of locally-sourced materials. The architect of this residential property also included passive solar lighting and low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives and sealants. Live Oak House has since been awarded the Florida Water Star Gold certificate for its conservative water consumption.
• GaiaMa Residence in Biscayne Park, Miami, South Florida
The GaiaMa Residence is one of the creations of South Florida architect Sebastian Eilert. This residential building in Miami has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest of all LEED ratings. This is thanks to the incorporation of micro-living with smart design, which maximizes space and energy efficiency. Its ICF (Insulating Concrete Walls) and insuldeck roofing provide enhanced insulation, resulting in a -4 HERS rating, which proves this home is four percent more efficient than a net-zero home.
The Benefits of Green Building and Sustainable Architecture
According to the Environment and Energy Study Institute (EESI), homes and other new builds account for around 40 percent of global energy-related CO2, highlighting the importance of integrating sustainable practices into the industry.
Keeping this fact in mind, the USGBC has outlined some of the core benefits of green building that don’t only focus on reducing carbon footprints. They include:
- Constructing buildings that are profitable, cost-effective and good for the economy on a local and national level.
- Prioritizing people’s health and wellbeing by improving indoor air and water quality and encouraging collaboration between residents and property owners to meet residents’ needs.
- Providing an environmental solution that reduces carbon, water and energy waste while producing less waste during construction and through the life of the building.
As the world moves into the future, Florida continues to make strides in sustainable architecture and design that shape how entire cities in the state are planned. As a member of the USGBC, Sebastian Eilert Architecture is one of the industry-leading companies bringing about this sustainable change to South Florida’s architecture and design industry.
To get one of South Florida’s most experienced sustainable architects working on your next project, click here to visit Eilert’s website and explore his previous projects in and around the Miami area and throughout the state.
Filed under: Building knowledge, design, Hot Topic, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized | Tags: age in place, Architect, architecture, Building, climate, construction, covid, design, environment, Green Building, healthy living, hot topic, living, planning, residential, residential design, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, sustainable, Sustainable Architecture, urban, virus
It can, and it should!
As communities navigate ongoing health and environmental crises, the ability for architecture to raise spirits has never been more vital.
— Read on architizer.com/blog/inspiration/industry/architecture-plus-joy/
Filed under: Building knowledge, design, Energy Efficiency, Green Art Store, Hot Topic, Materials, Resources, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized | Tags: Architect, architecture, building knowledge, construction, design, Energy, environment, hot topic, living, nature, renewable energy, residential, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture, sustainable, technology, turbine, wind
The unique optical-illusion generating wind wall, is a cool way to generate renewable electricity for your house.
— Read on www.goodnewsnetwork.org/this-wind-turbine-sculpture-lets-you-harness-enough-energy-to-power-your-home/
Filed under: Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, covid, design, Landscaping, Resources, Sustainable Living | Tags: design, homes, Miami, pinecrest, residential, residential design, Sebastian Eilert, Sebastian Eilert Architecture
It is an honor to be among such a select group of colleagues and named as a best ARCHITECTS in Pinecrest, Florida by Home Builder Digest.
https://www.homebuilderdigest.com/the-15-best-residential-architects-in-pinecrest-florida/
Ready to start your new home? Contact Sebastian Eilert, AIA For Interior Design considerations, E2 (Square) will happily consider your project.
Filed under: Building knowledge, Construction and Permits, design, Hot Topic, Sustainable Living | Tags: architects, architecture, design, Home, Miami, residential, residential design, Sebastian Eilert Architecture Miami Green Sustainable Building, south florida, Sustainable Architecture
Excellent reference list by Miami Architects for their best residential architects list.
Thank you for the recognition. This is a great list with many esteemed colleagues. I am blessed and proud to be among them. Our quality and team approach really make every project great!
http://www.miamiarchitect.org/the-best-residential-architects-in-miami/
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