florida carbon challenge update: where we finished
Yesterday was quite action-packed. During the day we attended the International Builders’ Show in Orlando where we happened to meet Norm Abram (Greg is still gushing), and then in the evening we finally got a chance to see where our entry for the Carbon Challenge Florida Design Competition placed along with five other finalist. As we mentioned in last week’s post, we knew we were one of six finalists with a chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd or win one of the three honorable mentions, but we would not know which one until announced at the ceremony. Well, now we know. We were honored to be picked as second place in what we were told, as the results were read, was a very close finish. So, although we didn’t win the grand prize of $10,000, we were extremely happy to win the second place $2500 prize.
This competition looked heavily at the carbon footprint of the materials used in the design (60% of the judging criteria). What we are most proud of is that we approached the design of this home just like we would for any project we would do for one of our clients. We didn’t use any special products or building materials that we are not very familiar with and had not previously used in many of our designs. We will have two homes under construction in the coming months that use the majority of the features of the competition home; both being constructed out of structural insulated panels (SIPS) and each with an eye towards sustainability in the construction of the home and more importantly, through the life of the home. Knowing that we finished second in this type of competition doing what we do every day illustrates our knowledge and passion for green design and sustainability.
We also did not sacrifice our integrity for design in having to adhere to the guidelines and the architectural standards for the RiverTown development. The fingerprints of our design sensibilities and modern leanings can be found in both the exterior and the interior of the home. One of the questions we always ask each other at the end of the design process is, “Would we live in this house?” If that answer is not “Yes,” then we’ve not been true to our design philosophy. By the way, yes…we could see ourselves living in this house.
Finally, we are glad that we made the choice to enter the Carbon Challenge Competition. Last year we found out about it too late, so we jumped at the chance to enter this year. We’d like to thank APA and the rest of the sponsors for putting on, what looks like, a yearly competition. They did an excellent job in organizing both the competition itself and the awards ceremony. To our Florida designer friends out there, this is really a competition that you need to look at entering next year and to the finalist from this year’s completion, congrats!
Congrats to you guys! My design would have blown yours away (just sayin) but I didn’t have time to finish, so watch out next year.
Now, get back to work on the Walnut House! I need updates damn it!
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Congatulations Team:
For my money I would have bought your design in a second. Second place? You’ve got to be kidding! I design residential homes for a living. Your design was number ONE, hands down. The first place winner doesn’t hold a candle to you.
I guess that’s the nature of competitions, however; The first place is a joke, in my humble opinion, none of the entries, except yours, has any living charm at all!
I believe all the other designers forgot the essence of this building type: It is a place to live in. With all the aspects, facets, utility, emotions, and comfort that makes a house a home; Don’t fret over 2nd place. You know, and I can see, that what you designed is a place to dwell in . . . not just a set of architectural drawings. Kudos to you all for putting quality design first. I’ve got 35 years of practice behind me and I have met very few architects that have the knack to get it right.
I tell my students that the most difficult building type to design is a house. The easiest building type to design is a hospital. Why? Because with a hospital, the program is already written, and not by the architect, but by the users. Every inch of a hospital has a specific purpose. There usually is no wasted space. That is not tolerable. But a house . . . what is the program for life? Who are you designing it for? What activities are going to take place in the space? What level of true comfort can this structure provide?
Not only did you address those questions; but you did it in an elegant, an artistic, and creative way. You are the winners in my book.
Best of luck in your careers,
Sincerely,
Carl P. Maletic, Architect
Sacramento, California
Carl,
Thank you very much for the kudos. We were in good company with all of the finalists and feel very privileged to be chosen. We are very pleased with our finish, especially due to the fact that we designed this home just as we would for any client that walks through our door. We did not compromise our design aesthetic or add any additional sustainably features that we do not use in all of our designs every day.
Thanks again!
CDG