Tag Archive: Eco-Friendly

  1. Navigating the National Green Building Standard program with Phil Kean Design Group

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    In an era where environmental consciousness and sustainable living have become paramount, the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) program is guiding a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards greener and more eco-friendly practices!

    The NGBS provides a comprehensive framework for builders and architects to create homes that not only exude luxury but also prioritize sustainability.

    Let’s dive into its certification process, explore why it matters, and unravel the elements that make a luxury home truly ‘green’ with insights from the team at Phil Kean Design Group.

    The NGBS certification process

    The National Green Building Standard program is more than just a label; it’s a rigorous certification process that evaluates a home’s environmental impact and energy efficiency. Phil Kean Design Group, known for their commitment to excellence in luxury architecture and design-build, understands the significance of ‘green’ home certification and continues to set new benchmarks for sustainable luxury homes.

    NGBS certification - phil kean design group

    Homes that pass NGBS certification are rated on a scale from Bronze (lowest) to Emerald (highest). 

    The NGBS certification process typically involves an in-depth analysis of various factors including energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and sustainable building materials and practices. Homes seeking certification undergo meticulous inspections and performance testing to ensure they meet the stringent standards set by the program.

    Phil Kean Design Group actively engages in this process, integrating sustainable technologies and materials seamlessly into their designs to create homes that meet the program’s highest levels of certification.

    The National Green Building Standard certification levels include Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald.

    Why it matters

    The National Green Building Program isn’t just a checkbox for environmentally conscious homeowners; it represents a commitment to a greener future. As concerns about climate change and resource depletion continue to escalate, the importance of sustainable building practices cannot be overstated. Phil Kean Design Group recognizes that by participating in and adhering to the program, they are contributing to a global effort to reduce the carbon footprint of luxury homes.

    Beyond the global impact, there are tangible benefits for homeowners as well. Green-certified homes often boast lower utility costs due to enhanced energy efficiency and water conservation measures. Additionally, these homes offer superior indoor air quality, creating a healthier living environment for residents. Phil Kean Design Group ensures that their clients not only experience the pinnacle of luxury in their homes but also enjoy the long-term benefits of reduced operating costs and a healthier lifestyle.

    Phil Kean Design Group’s commitment to sustainability

    A visionary in the luxury home industry, Phil Kean Design Group has been incorporating ‘green’ products and best construction methods into their luxury custom homes for over 20 years. PKDG understands that creating a truly ‘green’ home is not merely about incorporating a few eco-friendly elements; it’s a holistic approach to design and construction that prioritizes sustainability.

    sustainable modern home in florida

    Winter Park, FL – A Phil Kean Design Group NGBS Certified home.

    Based on their reputation and years of experience building ‘green’, PKDG was selected by the National Association of Homebuilders to showcase their homes as models of luxury ‘green’ homes at the International Builders Show in 2012, 2017 and 2021.

    This PKDG show home was the Highest Scored ‘Green’ Certified Home in the State of Florida in 2012. (Photo by James F. Wilson, courtesy BUILDER magazine.)

    What makes a luxury home ‘green’?

    1. Intelligent Design and Orientation: Phil Kean Design Group strategically plans each luxury home considering its orientation, building design, and materials choices to maximize views and natural light while limiting heat gain. The firm is well-known for designing modern luxury homes with large overhangs and expansive low-e argon windows, allowing for all day indirect natural light, and reducing the need for interior artificial lighting.
    2. Energy-Efficient Systems: From cutting-edge HVAC systems, to solar panels discreetly integrated into the home design, to Tesla Power Walls, Phil Kean Design Group employs state-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies to reduce energy needs from public utilities and to minimize the environmental impact of their luxury homes.
    national green building standard certified home in florida

    Orlando, FL – Solar panels on the roof of a Phil Kean Design Group NGBS Certified home.

    1. Water Conservation: In a world where water scarcity is a growing concern, luxury homes designed by Phil Kean Design Group incorporate advanced water conservation technologies, such as smart irrigation systems and water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
    2. Better Indoor Air Quality: Phil Kean Design Group takes a “healthy home” approach including minimizing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and controlling moisture and humidity. These practices produce a better indoor air quality (IAQ), making the indoors physically healthier and more comfortable.
    3. Sustainable Materials: Luxury design doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. Phil Kean Design Group meticulously selects sustainable, low-maintenance materials that not only elevate the aesthetic appeal of their homes but also contribute to the overall eco-friendliness of the construction.
    4. Smart Home Integration: Luxury meets efficiency with smart home technologies that not only add convenience but also optimize energy usage. Phil Kean Design Group seamlessly integrates these technologies into their designs, allowing homeowners to monitor and control their homes’ energy consumption with ease.

    Conclusion

    The National Green Building Standard program is not just a set of guidelines; it’s a catalyst for change in the luxury home construction industry.

    Phil Kean Design Group exemplifies how luxury and sustainability can coexist with their unwavering commitment to design excellence and best construction practices, and by embracing the National Green Building Standard certification process. Their experience proves that a commitment to ‘green’ building is not a compromise, but an elevation of luxury living.

    Interested in building a sustainable, modern home in Florida? Contact us to get started today!

  2. 4 Home Designs Sweeping Florida Luxury Neighborhoods in 2020

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    From an architectural standpoint, luxury home design trends in Florida are especially unique and interesting compared to in the rest of the nation. You’ll see designs and architecture expressing unique and beautiful styles and tastes set in a backdrop of architectural influences, one-of-a-kind landscaping and décor inspired by the modern artists of our day.

    And when you consider the most posh and awe-inspiring homes in Florida today, you might be fascinated to see what we’ve revealed here as the four invisible trends that you might not notice, unless you’re looking out for them.

    1. Sustainable Home Design

     

    sustainable home design trends 2020

    As awareness of the delicate nature of our planet becomes more prevalent, so do the home design trends and building techniques that continue to preserve it.

    One of the core reasons you don’t see much green design outside luxury neighborhoods is the fact that locally-sourced building materials are often more expensive and harder to come by than their less-sustainably sourced counterparts.

    Other eco-conscious building resources, such as green energy and sustainable materials, are also gaining popularity in the world of luxury, but do come at a price. This is gaining serious traction in eco-sensitive suburbs, especially near the coasts of Florida.

    2. Smart Home Design

    In the most exclusive areas of Florida, the infusion of technology in the designing and building of luxury homes is not as peculiar as one might think. From biometric door knobs, reading your thumbprint to unlock your door – to intelligent climate control and lighting, a significant number of the mundane day-to-day tasks are being controlled and enhanced through the use of integrated home technologies that make daily life easier, your home more modern, and your lifestyle more streamlined and automated than ever.

    Smartphones seem to be in our hands for most of the day. Smart televisions make unwinding after a long day easier than ever. Surround sound and music apps can fill your entire house with your favorite song at the touch of a button. Home devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa, take all of the above and control them with just the sound of your voice.

    3. Open Views

    Whether you’re building on the coast or want to watch the sunset over ancient oak trees, letting a little more of the outside in is trending in 2020. This means more (and larger) windows, natural spaces for enjoying nature in comfort, and even scenic views from the bathroom.

    Natural light is not only beautiful, but it’s also good for you. Designing a luxury home in an intuitive manner that takes build location, the direction of sunlight, and layout all into consideration is key to maximizing this desirable openness. From waking ith the morning rays to relaxing in the warm glow of evening, Florida is the perfect place to enjoy the outside, insight – year-round.

    4. Homes Designed with Privacy

    While this may seem like a counterintuitive point to coexist alongside open views and scenic bathrooms, you’ll notice that more home designs in luxury neighborhoods are being built with privacy in mind. Whether or not strategic landscaping plays a part in choosing a more isolated location, privacy is key to a home feeling comfortable, peaceful and truly luxurious.

    In Florida, this sometimes means that creativity is necessary. Utilizing the natural features of the land, constructing subtle and subdued fencing from locally-sourced materials, and embracing the privacy that fantastic landscaping can give you all  of the options that we see trending in Florida’s most luxurious neighborhoods in 2020.

    If you’d like to speak with the Phil Kean Design Group regarding your luxury home design, please fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch!

  3. The Love Shack: A Custom Modern Home in the Mountains

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    Nestled in the treetops, the “Love Shack” — which is anything but shack-like in appearance—brings modern residential architecture lines to the wild beauty of nature in North Carolina. A unique example of sustainable architecture and contemporary design, this custom modern home blends Phil Kean Design Group’s award-winning aesthetic with the homeowner’s vision for a peaceful, natural retreat.

    Minimizing Environmental Impact by Going Vertical

    Located on a high-ridge site surrounded by sycamore, basswood, oak and yellow poplar trees, one of the biggest challenges presented during the modern home’s construction was minimizing environmental impact while making the most of the sloping site. Consulting renowned arborists in order to protect and preserve the surrounding woodland, the home was built on a limited footprint of just 600 square feet, adding livable space in the form of three stories plus a loft. This vertical approach reduces the structure’s impact on the surrounding forest, while still providing the homeowners with the luxury house and open living space they had envisioned for their mountaintop retreat.

    Connecting with Nature both Indoors and Out

    Breathtaking landscape views encapsulate the home from every angle, with 30 miles of the Blue Ridge, Smokey Mountains, Lake Fontana and lush, green forestry visible through floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors. Stepping into the home is a complete sensory experience, with striking surroundings at every turn, a large balcony porch to enjoy the fresh mountain air on, and recycled wood used throughout the cabin to further blend the outdoors and the indoors into one naturally beautiful creation.

    Energy Efficiency Meets Style with Zola Windows and Doors

    In keeping with the home’s ultra energy efficient vision, Zola Thermo Clad windows and doors were used throughout the Love Shack. These energy-conserving additions helped the home meet strict green design codes while remaining a striking and functional part of its overall modern design. Sliding glass doors and tilt-turn windows, also by Zola European Windows, were incorporated into the home, making up integral parts of the Love Shack’s unmatched eco-chic aesthetic.

    Learn more about the Love Shack and read an interview with the homeowner, Ken LaRoe, and architect, Phil Kean, on the Zola European Windows website.