Category: Architecture

Florida Hurricanes and Your New Home

10/12/2020

As professional architects and builders, we like to say that no two building projects are exactly alike. The truth, though, is that there's one way in which all our projects are alike: the elements, methods, and technologies we use to ensure a home's design can withstand a hurricane's force and destructive natural events.

The intensity, frequency, and duration of hurricanes are worsening and, as the climate continues to warm, are projected to increase. The Banov team designs homes engineered to withstand the harshest of weather conditions. We want our clients to feel they'll be protected, and their home will be secure no matter what the weather is outside.

Standing Up to Hurricanes

Building codes are the first, best defense against destructive hurricanes. After years of record damages from increasingly powerful storms, Florida enacted the most stringent building codes in the country. They require:

Impact protection for doors and windows.
Stronger ties between walls and roofs.
More secure attachment of roofing materials.
Documentation that building components withstand wind and wind-driven rain.
And more.

Meeting Florida's building code is not prohibitively expensive. Taking fortification to the next level does not necessarily add significant costs to a construction budget. The long term benefits and the return on the investment translates into fewer repairs, more insurance savings, peace of mind.

Next Gen Hurricane-Proof Materials

Along with impact-resistance glass and new roof attachment methods, which are now common practice,

experimental materials are also being studied for their hurricane sturdiness. Researchers are studying glass prototypes that increase impact glass resilience even further. Others are looking at engraved "bendable glass" that bends in strong winds without shattering. At the US Naval Research Lab, they're developing what's called a "transparent armor" material which has an opacity level similar to glass but is made from an ultrahard ceramic.

Even reinforced concrete, a Florida construction staple material, is being studied for ultra-high-performing bending qualities to enhance its strength against hurricane force winds.

Building Strong

Designers, builders, and homeowners alike are looking for new ways to fortify their homes from hurricanes without sacrificing aesthetics. While there's no such thing as a hurricane-proof home, there are levels of resistance, and levels of investment that can protect your home and your family from serious hurricane damage. Partnering with an experienced design build firm ensures your Florida home is designed with quality of engineering, structural integrity, and aesthetic values in mind.

2 Comments

The Principles of Good Architectural Design

7/29/2020

4 Comments

Whether you’re building a new custom home or multi-story office building, there’s one characteristic every project the Banov team in Vero Beach, FL conceives shares: good design., If you keep these timeless design elements in mind, your new space will always deliver value and well-being.

The Tenets of Good Architectural Design

Let’s jump right in. Good design:

Takes its cue from how space will be used by the people who inhabit it.
Recognizes and adapts itself to the surrounding environment.
Stays true to the neighborhood’s character while maintaining its individuality.
Makes efficient and responsible use of the materials required without compromising aesthetics or function.
Uses rules of scale, massing, and texture to create visually harmonious spaces that stand the test of time.
Embraces innovation without compromising authenticity.
Offers a pleasing, artistic response to requirements for habitability, function, and comfort.
Plans for a future that assumes work or lifestyle changes.
Keeps environmental concerns in mind to ensure a healthy tomorrow for future generations.
Knows quality wins every time. That includes exceptional workmanship, materials, finishes, and other features that enrich the lives of those who use the space.

Excellence in Design

Good design has a profound impact on how people live and work, enhancing lives in ways we often can’t predict or expect. It must also be able to adapt to the desires and needs of the people who inhabit the completed spaces. The Banov team strives to incorporate all these principles into every architectural design we create. We take an innovative approach to residential and commercial design but never lose sight of how the basics of functionality, sustainability, and accessibility can transform lives and the world.

4 Comments

Why Hire an Architect?

4/3/2020

7 Comments

Whether you’re building a custom home, enlarging a kitchen, or doubling the size of your house, hiring an architect can be a sound investment. Many people ask, “If I know what I want, why do I need an architect?” Or, “Why should I pay two people, can’t my builder just handle it?”

While it’s important to weigh the impact hiring an architect will have on your budget, over the long term doing so can actually save you money. Here’s how.