When you work with an architect to build your custom home, you may hear terms that are not familiar to you. A professional architectural team will be happy to provide definitions for everything from site plans to elevation, from design reviews to easements. But like every industry, the business of architecture keeps evolving, and there are many terms that have been added to contemporary home design in the last several years. Here are some of the architectural terms that reflect the most cutting-edge design and construction trends – and what they mean.
Architectural Terms That Describe Revitalization and Sustainability
Passive Solar Design: Passive solar design describes construction methods and materials that improve a building’s ability to collect or deflect solar energy or heat. A home designed with passive solar design requires less energy to keep cool during the Florida summers.
Green Building: Green building creates structures utilizing environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes. These processes are evident throughout a building’s life cycle – including siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.
Urban Infill: Urban infill refers to three basic circumstances:
- when the last remaining lots in an existing neighborhood are developed
- when there is new development within an area of existing infrastructure and services
- when existing but vacant properties are repurposed
The concept of urban infill is significant and valuable for several reasons. It builds and strengthens the community, targets the reuse and re-positioning of underutilized or abandoned buildings and sites, and energizes neighborhoods, infusing them with new life and function. An urban infill project can be limited to a single home or expanded into an entirely new neighborhood or downtown environment.
Adaptive Reuse: Adaptive reuse represents a similar concept to urban infill. The process rejuvenates older buildings that need a new or updated purpose. This process is often integrated into a neighborhood’s revitalization plans and includes repairing, improving, and repurposing older structures. Architects are tasked with bringing the buildings up to current code while preserving their foundational architecture and any historical legacy.
Net Zero Energy: A zero-energy building is known by several similar names – a zero net energy (ZNE) building, net-zero energy building (NZEB), or net zero building. All the names refer to a property that offers zero net energy consumption, indicating that the total amount of energy utilized annually is approximately equal to the amount of renewable energy created onsite. Therefore, these buildings do not contribute any additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Build to Rent (BTR): Build-to-rent represents single-family homes and/or townhomes built new with the purpose of renting long-term. BTR is differentiated from multi-family complexes as it appeals to those who wish to rent while not sacrificing the benefits of traditional homes and neighborhoods. BTR neighborhoods often feature single-story living (without neighbors above and below), small but private yards, and access to residential community amenities.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): An ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. It may be attached to or detached from the primary dwelling. Examples may include a garage conversion or a mother-in-law cottage.
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is an international green building rating and certification process for the design, development, and construction of buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. A multi-tiered rating system assesses the target structure’s environmental impact.
JTL Studios Works In Partnership with Community
While we love educating our clients as to the latest terms and concepts in architecture, it is not necessary for prospective Sarasota homeowners to become experts in architectural processes. Our team has the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure that your project is professional and reflects highly creative and quality design. If you are looking for a residential home in a developing neighborhood or are a commercial developer looking to revitalize a community, call us today.
