Contemporary Southern Vernacular: Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates

Married architects Jane and Michael Frederick examine in this authoritative handbook the history and sustainability of residential architecture in the Southern U.S. The intense heat and humidity of the South pose many challenges to home designers, like keeping spaces cool and free of mold. The Fredericks, who have spent more than 40 years designing homes in the region, lay out tried-and-true methods for addressing these concerns, including high ceilings that allow rising heat to escape, porches that provide shelter from the harsh sun, and breezeways through the center of a home that keep it cool. With the help of photographs and floor plans, the authors demonstrate the importance of incorporating environmentally conscious systems, from high-efficiency HVAC units to native landscaping. They encourage readers to build homes in harmony with their environment, arguing that “by leveraging the beauty of the land, and all that it has to offer, into the design of the home, its value increases.” In addition to offering helpful insights on selecting responsibly manufactured and reclaimed materials, the authors provide fun anecdotes, like the time they salvaged floors and doors from the Forrest Gump movie set in Beaufort, S.C., to use in their guesthouse. This well-informed blueprint for resilient design will appeal to architects and prospective homeowners alike. (Sept.)