Green Project of the Week: Element House
Element House, designed by Solstice Planning and Architecture, is a 3,700 square-foot, LEED Platinum certified home in Sarasota, Fla. With a HERS score of -26, the project was a recipient of the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay first award for sustainability.
The project is one of the highest-rated sustainable houses constructed in the United States, with the third-lowest HERS score ever recorded in Florida. Additional third-party performance testing includes Florida Green Building Coalition Platinum Certification, EPA Energy Star Highest Standards Certified, Indoor air PLUS Certified and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certified.
Situated on a narrow lot within a flood zone on Sarasota Bay, the property faced challenges in construction, including constructing the home within 10 feet of an adjacent residence.
In order to define sight lines away from the neighboring property and to take advantage of the open water views from the project site, the architect proposed an upside-down house design, lifting social areas to the upper levels and locating guest rooms and children’s rooms on the ground floor, alongside an informal family area.
Photo Credit: Ryan Gamma and Dylan Jon Wade Cox
