Seaward Cottage, Sample Post

People have been asking the question, "What makes a cottage green?" Assuming you have chosen a site within a planned community which provides easy access to essential ameninities, scale is the most important issue to address. Maximizing your useable living area within a smaller footprint consumes less materials and minimizes your energy costs over the life of a structure. I have chosen to feature the Seaward Cottage in WaterColor, Florida to expand.



Seaward Cottage is 1800 square feet with three bedroom suites on the first level and major attic storage to replace the lack of a basement. The central hallway includes built-in bunk beds and a mudroom entry bench to minimize wasted space, while promoting ventilation and a sense of granduer to the small plan. The wood burning fireplace in the kitchen is elevated to become the cental focus of the volume ceiling great room. Covered porches shade the elevations and expand the living area, the rear screen porch doubling as a sleeping porch.



The custom bunk beds employ two separate LCD televisions, which allows the little people a place to get away and watch videos. The bunk ladder was made by the builder (Chris Clark Construction) using recycled parts of the antique heart pine flooring. Distressed cabinets match the kitchen, with alternating 1x4 and 1x12 pine wall paneling.



The library ladder doubles as access to the walk-in storage area while maximizing the utlity of the kitchen. A dormer brings daylight into the the kitchen space while adding interest to the blue painted ceilings. The durability of the finishes inside and out, complete the ideal second home with everyday liveability. Bedrooms have large closets, with a saoking tub in the master suite. The guest bedroom off the great room doubles as a study, complete with french doors, a fireplace and vaulted ceilings.



To purchase construction drawings of the house, please visit Southern Living House Plans or contact Geoff Chick & Associates. The completed home is also available for purchase through Beach Group Properties, LLC.



For more information regarding interior finishes or green innovations, contact Geoff Chick at http://www.geoffchick.com/

Introduction

Since 2001, Geoff Chick & Associates has been a leader in developing sustainable building techniques for the unique climate and market needs of Northwest Florida. Our work can been seen along the 30-A corridor in places like WaterColor, WaterSound, and Rosemary Beach.



Many of our clients are concerned with building green because it is, "The right thing to do." However, most of the current publications to feature green architecture lean toward a progressive aesthetic which does not appeal to more traditional tastes.



My argument suggests the Florida vernacular cottage style evolved without the benefit of central air conditioning and is therefore inherently green. By looking to the past, we can emulate those design characteristics which minimize solar gain and promote ventilation.



A well built traditional home will transcend fashion cylces and be more worthy of preservation, likely extending the useful life span of the structure. Choosing the right interior finishes, energy star appliances and furniture can further reinforce environmentally positive design innovation.