Element House

One of the highest rated sustainable houses constructed in the United States
Situated on a narrow lot within a flood zone on Sarasota Bay, the property had challenges to overcome including constructing this project within 10 feet from an adjacent residence.

NOTABLE
LEED Platinum, HERS -26
Recipient of the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay first award for sustainability

CLIENT
Private residence

LOCATION
Sarasota, Florida

SIZE
3,700 A/C square feet

PHOTOGRAPHY
Ryan Gamma
Dylan Jon Wade Cox

On November 6th, 2020, the LEED Platinum residence Element House in Sarasota received the first ever Sustainability Award from American Institute of Architec...

Element House - front exterior Sarasota architect Jonathan Parks.jpg

Element House Rear exterior Sarasota architect Jonathan Parks.jpg

In order to define sightlines 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. Above that foundation the upper main living level includes the master bedroom, an open kitchen area adjacent to the main staircase, and the dining and living spaces.

On this property the views continually improve the higher you move upwards until culminating with an upper level social space with exterior deck.

Element House Bayfront Sarasota architect Jonathan Parks.jpg

Element House Sustainability architect Jonathan Parks Sarasota, Florida.jpg

Element House Project Description

The Owner and the Architect discussed “building the house of the future today” and a large part of this goal was to create a home that reduced dependency on the power grid with a focus on nature and passive systems. The use of large overhangs to shade the façade to reduce heat gain, high clerestory windows to provide natural daylight and to limit the need to utilize indoor lighting are constant design themes defining the elements of the house. The layout also allows for easy access to the exterior on all levels allowing for natural ventilation.

The project is one of the highest rated sustainable houses constructed in the United States with a HERS Index of -26, which is the third lowest HERS score ever recorded in Florida. Third party performance testing includes LEED Platinum Certification, Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Platinum Certification, EPA Energy Star Highest Standards Certified, Indoor air PLUS Certified, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certified.

Team

Architect
SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture, Jonathan Parks AIA

Builder
NWC Construction

Interior Design
David K. Lowe Interior Design

Landscape
Michael Gilkey

Structural
McCall & Young Engineering, LLC

LEED Certification
Two Trails, Inc.

Accolades

Best Overall Home Between $1-$2 Million, Silver, SRQ Magazine
Best Landscape Design / Outdoor Area, Platinum Award, SRQ Magazine
AIA Tampa Bay, Inaugural Design Award for Sustainability
LEED Home Awards, National Finalist
GRAND AURORA - Water-Wise Home, Energy Efficient Home
SILVER AURORA - Best Custom Home 4,000 to 6,000 sq. ft., Best Kitchen Design for a Custom/Spec/One of a Kind Home, Best Bath Design for a Custom/Spec/One of a Kind Home, Green Construction, Solar Energy Home, Water-Wise Home, Energy Efficient Home