Design Philosophy - Responsible Luxury
In our quest to respond to rapidly changing market trends and client preferences, Laura Kaehler Architects has developed the concept of Responsible Luxury®. The key concept that underlies this design approach is the “build better, not bigger” trend in residential housing described by Sarah Susanka (1998). This approach advocates sustainable architecture and design as well as respect for the environment in the use of building materials, space, energy and water. Specifically, this design approach is aligned with a new survey from the American Institute of Architects that found 50% of architecture firms find clients are choosing homes with smaller square footage. Findings from a previous study by the National Association of Home Builders indicate that, when asked to pick between more square footage or finer amenities, 63 % of homeowners favored finer amenities (more “bells and whistles”) over more square footage.
KEY CONCEPTS:
• Size does not matter. Living requirements of high-end residences need not be compromised in order to meet the burgeoning demand for responsible societal consumption. Garage space also can be designed for smaller, more fuel efficient cars.
• Quality over Quantity: Features an underlying design philosophy of building a smaller footprint home that is finely detailed and crafted using luxurious materials. Better detailing over a more limited area vs. less detailing over bigger area.
• Green and Sustainable Attributes with Superior Craftsmanship.: Fewer resources to build, heat, cool and maintain. Better quality materials can be used because of smaller scale.
• Flexible Use Space Design: one space/multiple uses. Common spaces broken down into “user-spheres,” where boundaries are drawn by furniture placement, ceiling heights, and plantings. Open floor plans minimize unused and/or underused rooms and encourages more social interaction while still providing adequate levels of private space.
• Use of “clean” energy sources and organic renewable materials: Geo-thermal, solar panels, wind turbines as auxiliary energy sources. House properly sited for sun, breeze, and shelter.
• Use of more energy efficient and low toxicity materials: LED lighting, hydronic radiant floor heating, formaldehyde-free glues, no VOC paints, rapid-cycle woods. Tighter, more efficient “clean” house using spray foam insulation with higher R values.
