Residential Design
Living by the coast is a dream for many, and a residential designer can provide an extensive range of skills and services directed to fashioning the ideal home, customized to your individual tastes and requirements.
With their education and experience, a residential designer can help you clarify your vision and define what you want to build, present options you might never have considered, and help you get the most for your valuable investment. Even more, professionals who specialize in coastal design have the expertise and know-how to design homes that flourish in this alluring yet challenging environment.
The Coastal Environment
Coastal designers have a deep understanding of the specific challenges posed by the coastal environment. This includes knowledge of historical weather patterns, local geography, and best practices for local construction methods.
These professionals must contend with a host of natural and regulatory challenges — including corrosive salt air, the looming threat of hurricanes, wind-borne rain, flooding, erosion, and the watchful eye of the regulatory agencies tasked with safeguarding our coastal waters. In this complex environment, coastal designers employ a range of strategies to create homes that seamlessly combine charm and resilience.
Material Selection
Coastal environments are notorious for their corrosive salt air, which can degrade many materials over time. Designers opt for materials that are highly resistant to corrosion, such as specific alloys and protective coatings for structural elements, and weather resistant claddings for windows and doors. These materials help ensure the long-term stability of the building, and help to avoid unsightly corrosion and rust stains.
Healthy Homes
Coastal regions often experience elevated humidity levels due to their proximity to the ocean. This can pose additional challenges to maintaining the longevity of building materials, such as the prevention of water damage and mold growth. Through careful material selection, ventilation strategies, and thoughtful detailing, designers ensure that coastal homes remain healthy and resilient in the face of challenging conditions.
Wind-Resistant Design
Coastal areas are prone to high winds, especially during hurricanes and tropical storms. These coastal areas often have specific building codes and regulations in place to address the threat of high winds. These codes typically dictate construction methods, materials, and structural reinforcements necessary to withstand high winds. Coastal designers must be well-versed in these codes and ensure that their designs meet or exceed the prescribed standards.
Erosion Mitigation
Coastal erosion is a continuous threat, so designers often begin by conducting a thorough site analyses to understand the specific erosion risks associated with a given location. Strategies may range from re-grading the site, to employing a timber pile foundation that is driven deep into the ground. Regulatory agencies often establish setback requirements that dictate how close waterfront buildings can be constructed to the seashore. Designers must adhere to these setback guidelines to ensure that homes are situated at a safe distance from the shifting shoreline.
Floodplain Regulation
Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA and provides flood insurance to property owners in communities that agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet the NFIP's standards for floodplain management. Thus, coastal homes can be subject to stringent building codes and regulations aimed at protecting both the environment and the homeowners. Coastal designers are familiar with these regulations, so that compliance is ensured before construction begins.
Asthetic Integration
Despite these challenges, coastal designers aim to create beautiful homes that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. They take inspiration from the coastal landscape, incorporating elements like large windows to capture breathtaking views, elevated decks for outdoor living, and native landscaping that complements the coastal ecosystem.
