University of Miami - Contemporary Sustainable Design Class 2009

With the Contemporary Sustainable Design class in full swing, the blog has suffered a little in posts.
Preparing for the first couple of lectures has proven a bit more challenging than initially expected. Stil, the feedback has been great and I am moving into week #2. Tropical green with a focus on South Florida will be the topic of discussion. Glad that we now have a few LEED certified buildings of our own, I will share details about the Broward Public Library as well as the Staples center in Miami.

Looking a few weeks ahead, I am in the mists of composing the lecture on cutting edge and pushing the limits of sustainable design. Any pointers to share? Send your suggestions to Sebastian@SebasianEilert.com; there is so much to pick from… I want to make sure that I am really out there as much as possible… HELP!

ASID Career Day - Design Center Ft. Lauderdale & Casa Decor 2007 Revisit

Thank you also to ASID for organizing a wonderful student career day at the Design Center in Ft. Lauderdale. It was a pleasure to participate in the Round Table discussion. The green office at Casa Décor was very popular with the participants and I am glad that we had full tables for all 7 rounds.

My short 10 minute presentation focused on integration and overlap of sustainable issue between architects and interior designer. There are numerous simple items that can easily be included on even the most basic design. Smart, energy saving lighting, non toxic paint and proper window treatments to reduce solar heat gain should be standard for any professional at this time…and there certainly is no need to forfeit any style or quality of design; usually it will enhance any scheme and leave the client happier as the savings roll in…

A little more about Casa Décor. The room was sponsored by USGBC South Florida with the exquisite help of Carl Hildebrandt. Birgit Auge of XO Design did her part to make the 6 week exhibit a success. Thank you both!

As for the design, Kay Witte and Sebastian Eilert crated a flexible home office with custom built furniture, using coconut palm and recycled glass tile. The design concept was to challenge the traditional home office and allow for flexibility of the use of the space and the furniture…so they ended on wheels. Two items were built, a work station to hold computer and accessories , easily closed and moved by one person. Use it in dorms, home office or any space that may require to move in and out… The second piece is a sofa that will allow the use by an individual to sketch, work with keyboard in the lab or sketch freely. It is large enough for a 2 person conference…if more room is needed, roll it aside and, voila, the home office is ready for the “office-party”. To make sure that clutter is minimized, storage is included in the back with a neat roll down door to cover it all.

Thanks to Winfield Austin of Winward Associates, the ideas were made a reality. I am pleased that the ideas are still well received today, over a year after end of the exhibit…

Super Super Therm- Part I

Many may have heard about this great paint that will provide superior insulation to any surface and can easily be applied for new construction as well as existing homes. Adding an instant improvement to the insulation with an R-value equivalent of 22 and another 10 if applied to the outside with a high level of reflectivity. This product was originally developed for NASA application and found its way into the construction market. The application is easy and it sticks to just about any surface. Some may require a little preparation work, but all will share a similar result.
So what is this amazing product?

Super Therm; specifically, Super Therm II.

After first hearing of this product about a year ago, my interest in learning more about it quickly sparked. Simple to apply, great effect, instant energy savings. What is not to like.
Being the hands on guy that I am, the next step was clear. Coat the roof of my home. I measured the temperature in my attic for a few month and can report that the 3:12 slope roof with trusses and a minimal crawl space averaged temperatures of 140 to 165 degrees. FPL had completed an analysis of my home and found the insulation adequate. This may reasonably be true for the interior space, but the mini attic, holding most of my water pipes and HVAC ducts, certainly did not agree. Teh heat stored here contributed to higher demand on the HVAD and longer wait in the shower for the water to reach a normal temperature. Not enough space made adding insulation impossible Super Therm seemed the solution.

The house before coating. Brown Asphat Shingle

In November of 2008 the application was completed and now the roof of my home is white. Since then we were blessed with mostly cool weather, but is important to note that an improvement is evident. Temperatures in the attic have not passed 100 degrees and the home stays cooler, longer.

After coating with Super Therm - White Roof

The digital display, pre Super Therm, started at 77 in the morning and raised to 85 after 10 am during the day. Until that time, the AC started up a number of times. After Super Therm, the unit has not started once in the morning. A definite success.

I am looking forward the hot summer days to further document these readings. The first FPL bill came in yesterday and showed another improvement. Granted, it is winter, but the money saved may still be attributed to the new paint. I am certainly convinced and will up the promotion of this superior product.

Save the planet, one cool surface at a time…

Get Green to keep Green - Energy Savings plans for your business.

Sebastian Eilert Architecture, Inc has been working on a number of packages to enable business owners to implement many green features that will save operating cost with a very short return of investment (ROI). A recent addition of a lighting option further makes this service attractive.
If you own your building or are in charge of upkeep, contact SEA to get a free consultation. Most of the items suggested can be done with minimal impact to operations and may even fall under standard maintenance.

Consider painting your roof to enable a 20 to 30% energy savings on HVAC demand. Change lighting fixtures to further reduce heat gain and associated cooling cost. A quick replace of water fixtures can bring down the monthly cost by 30 to 40%.

There are many small things that can be done right now to help save some green… oh and you are doing the right thing for the environment, too.
www.SebastianEilert.com 786.556.3118

M + M House LEED H certification getting closer

The exquisite home of local Architect Mariacarmen Martinez is getting closer to completion.

Sebastian Eilert Architecture, SEA, together with Veterans Energy Solutions (VES) is doing the LEED H certification for the project and we are approaching the dry in inspection.
The home is a unique design that considers many factors of the local climate and is pushing the energy efficiency currently pursued by other homes. With an all white exterior, overhangs and careful massing and orientation on the site this home will no doubt be one of the most efficient homes in Miami, likely South Florida.

The site was largely undisturbed, pool and mayor trees were kept in place, other substantial platns were relocated to other areas of the property. No solid driveway is intended and the site will be draught free and naturally shaded.

Additional consideration for materials and water savings as well as a compact layout for appliances and fixtures will further reduce water demand. Careful consideration has also been taking in selecting the materials and finished.

The M+M Residence will be a shining beacon of sustainable design with a minimal monthly operating cost and excellent clean air quality.

www.upstairsstudioarchitecture.com – Architect
www.jamescrossinc.com – Contractor
www.SebastianEilert.com – LEED Consultant

A new years toast

Welcome 2009;
may the year be fine.
Projects plenty and green;
many new clients to be seen.
Old ones merry and content;
with finishes unbend.
Health, wisodom and cheer;
time for another beer...

Blessed be.