Element House by SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
Element House is a house in Sarasota, FL, United States, by SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture. Set on a narrow lot in a flood zone on Sarasota Bay, it answers tight site constraints with an upside-down plan that lifts the social rooms above the ground floor. Views, daylight, and passive comfort shape the home from the start.
About Element House
Element House is one of the highest rated sustainable houses constructed in the United States. Set on a narrow lot in a flood zone on Sarasota Bay, the property faces a tight condition, including a setback of just 10 feet from an adjacent residence.
To turn those limits into an advantage, the architect proposes an upside-down house. Social areas move to the upper levels to open sightlines away from the neighboring property and take advantage of the water views, while guest rooms and children’s rooms sit on the ground floor beside an informal family area. Above that base, the upper main living level holds the primary bedroom, an open kitchen next to the main staircase, and the dining and living rooms.
As the plan rises, the views improve and culminate in an upper-level social room with an exterior deck. Large overhangs shade the façade and help reduce heat gain, while high clerestory windows bring in daylight and limit the need for indoor lighting. The layout also gives direct access to the exterior on every level, supporting natural ventilation and a strong connection to the site.
The house is also defined by its performance record. It carries LEED Platinum Certification, Florida Green Building Coalition Platinum Certification, EPA Energy Star Highest Standards Certification, Indoor air PLUS Certification, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certification. With a HERS Index of -26, it ranks as the third lowest HERS score ever recorded in Florida. On November 6, 2020, it receives the first Sustainability Award from the American Institute of Architecture in Tampa Bay.
Photography courtesy of SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture
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