Editor's Note: Hafsa Burt has been practicing architecture for 21 years. Burt has been running her own studio, hb+a Architects since 2009. She also founded a development arm for the firm called Box Lab which is focused on active research and development in product and space design and zero energy/zero carbon buildings. An environmentalist, Burt adopted the 2030 challenge a decade ago and is a huge proponent of high-performance buildings. Her focus includes eliminating toxins with indoor air quality as a specialty. She actively speaks on the topic of indoor air quality as it relates to the practice of architecture and is an industry expert on “Healthy Building Practices”.

Today she is sharing her design process on her project Box Factory.

Photo Credit: Branded Content Media, Doug Birnbaum

The project is a prefabricated, zero energy/zero carbon single-family residence of 1750 sq. ft. The intent was to explore construction efficiencies and produce a project resilient to climate emergencies. I, as the architect, set ambitious goals upfront to achieve a truly off-grid project that relies only on renewable energy for all its functions. The project is a zero energy, zero carbon home with R-50 insulation to further conserve energy. Ahead of electrification mandates in California, the project proves to be a successful, working example of electrification not dependent on fossil fuels.

Photo Credit: Branded Content Media, Doug Birnbaum

The interior explores minimalist architectural form to inspire through light and color, its relationship to the land, and sweeping views. The design focus is on space and resource preservation that grasps a visitor as soon as they enter the home.

Photo Credit: Branded Content Media, Doug Birnbaum

The site’s ecosystem is also preserved and most of the 9 acres remain pervious and welcome to wildlife. The topography was used to the fullest for drainage, views, and orientation. An existing creek on the site has also been left untouched. The project has a patent pending for its unique custom features and has been customized to the site’s unique characteristics for optimum sustainability. An important goal of the project was to make use of prefabricated efficiencies to significantly reduce construction time and waste. The project beat all its goals. Prefabricated elements have been greatly customized for beauty, efficiency, and sustainability.

Photo Credit: Branded Content Media, Doug Birnbaum

hb+a Architects’ motto is “Zero (energy/carbon) is everything” and for the past 20 years, explorations into environmental sustainability, Indoor Air quality, and the health of the planet and its people have been the firm’s prime focus. With sweeping views, the project serves as a retreat for industry peers and climate activists.

The post Haute Designer Hafsa Burt On Her Zero Energy/Zero Carbon Project – Box Factory appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Bath Haus

Courtesy of Meshberg Group

The Bath Haus at 139 Huron St, in Greenpoint, is a beautifully designed building from Meshberg Group, offering a mere nine residences inside ranging from studios to an elegant penthouse. While Greenpoint is a vibrant post-industrial neighborhood with great views of Manhattan, residents are given a taste of suburban living in this city living structure. This pot filler faucet above the stove adds a level of convenience and elegance to the kitchen space—something you would find in a suburban home.

525 West 52nd Street

Courtesy 525W52

In this concrete jungle, the only grass you will find is in Central Park or the few other parks scattered around. Having a green space of your own is considered a luxury in city living and residents at 525 West 52nd Street have their own grass area, 20 stories in the air. The rooftop lounge features real grass, which is great for kids and adults who want to relax on the grass.

Skyline Tower

Courtesy Binyan Studios

Skyline Tower, a new residential tower in Long Island City, has four luxury penthouses that feature an amenity scarcely found in NYC apartments – garbage disposals. Garbage disposals were illegal in NYC until 1997 and many developers have yet to implement them in projects, making them a rare luxury for many. Designed by Hill West Architects’ interior design arm, Whitehall Interiors, gourmet kitchens at Skyline Tower are equipped with top-of-the-line stainless-steel Bosch appliances.

1000M

Courtesy Miller Hare

Chicago is among the largest cities in America and even has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers. With that said, finding an atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the streets can be difficult. 1000M's eleventh-floor outdoor terrace is the solution to introducing the suburban convenience of distance from others. Residents can lounge between trees on the several hammocks floating around the terrace.

1400 West Monroe

Courtesy of 1400 West Monroe

Located in the heart of West Loop, 1400 West Monroe, is a collection of 42 luxury residences uniting residents with the neighborhood around them. While the building is surrounded by large grass areas and a quiet residential street, its the planter boxes adorning exterior windows that introduces suburban amenities to city living.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach

Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton Residences

Miami may have its beaches, but many are without yard space, especially residents living in high rises. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, provides its residents with an onsite food forest and garden, where they can pick their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs to use in the privacy of their own home.

Residence 950

Photo credit: Jacob Elliot

If you've ever dreamed of having your own pool, you probably never thought it would be possible while living in a city. Residence 950 is a luxurious urban estate perched on top of San Francisco's Russian Hill, which commands stunning views of the city. However, the views are much better from the cantilevered infinity edge lap pool– a suburban amenity taken to new heights.

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