While there is a long and studied history of biophilic design, what does that mean for design today? The simple answer is: a lot. Biophilic design is rapidly gaining popularity as people become even more interested in creating healthier public spaces, commercial buildings, and homes that promote heathier living….
Living in our built environment: The current world is littered with examples of humans building structures and spaces that meet functional needs or demonstrate its power over nature. From windswept grand plazas to sunless city street corridors leading to soulless grey cubicles lined up in matrixed rows or windowless…
Most of us can control (at least, to some extent) the quality and safety of the water we drink, the food that we eat. These days, we are even forced to exert greater control over what surfaces we do or do not touch, and the physical distance we must…
Written by: Matt Oblinsky, PE, Director of Engineering for Deltec Homes Leigha Dickens, HERS, Green Building and Sustainability Manager for Deltec Homes Steve Linton, LEED AP, President for Deltec Homes In the first two articles in this series, we explored the general way that high winds can damage homes…
With hurricane season upon us, it is more important than ever for homeowners to prepare their abodes for hurricane-force winds, tropical storms and possible flooding. Starting from the ground up to design a home that resists hurricane-force winds is the ideal option, but for existing homes there are still…
Deltec Home’s 2019 Sustainability Report is hot off the presses! You can click here to see the new, full color report in full. Inside this report: Learn about our ongoing use of 100% renewable electricity in our facility, and read more about some of or waste reduction programs. Check…
Being in quarantine, especially for parents of young children, is a new normal that most are not used to. Ideas for keeping the kids busy are running low, but fear not, we’re here to help! Over the years, we’ve participated in several events in our community and have found…
By: Leigha Dickens, Green Building & Sustainability Manager To me, off-grid homes have always been about a certain kind of longing. A longing to live a life that is simpler, more self-sufficient and more rewarding. A longing for a better way, one that respects our connection to the natural…
In 2018 over 20,000 new homes projects across the US and Canada were designed as “ready for zero” or “zero energy” homes. That means they were designed to be highly energy efficient and ready to produce most of their energy needs through renewable energy. These homes, many of which…
So you’re preparing to embark on a journey to build a new home. And you’d like to ensure the process is quick so you can get straight to enjoying your amazing new home. One question you may be asking yourself is how can I design and build my home…
In a world with a changing climate, how we design our homes matters. Reduced environmental impact has long been a huge focus of sustainable, or “green” building. Yet our homes are also critical in protecting us from the environment when that environment turns harsh. Shelter is one of our…
Deltec Is Celebrating Third Party Green Building Programs with a New Rebate Program Third party verification is so important in new home construction. It can be the difference between a key detail that is handled correctly or is forever missed, dogging the home with energy efficiency or durability issues…
It was November 27th, 2016. Gordon had gone to his cabin in Gatlinburg to decorate for Christmas. When he got there, he was amazed at the vibrant fall colors in late November. “I texted this photo to friends who were coming over that evening to celebrate a birthday. They…
Leigha Dickens, Green Building and Sustainability Manager, Deltec Homes The Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) is one of the oldest organizations in the US dedicated to sustainable and energy efficient practices in the built environment. Every year, some of the nation’s most innovative builders gather in their annual…
Matt Oblinsky, PE, Director of Engineering for Deltec Homes Steve Linton, President for Deltec Homes The intensity of recent hurricanes such as Dorian, Michael, Irma, and Harvey has increased our awareness of the raw power of the forces of nature. When combined with the measured effects of climate change…
The devastation in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian is truly heartbreaking. The primary reason for building homes the way we do is to keep our homeowners safe during catastrophic storms like Dorian was. We’re extremely grateful that all of the homeowners we have spoken to are all safe and…
This just in! The Department of Energy has recently announced the award winners for their 2019 Housing Innovation Awards. We are so thrilled to announce that our recent Ridgeline project, the first Zero Energy Ready Home in our area, was selected as one of this year’s winners! According to…
As Deltec’s green building manager, I get lots of questions from our clients about green building, from all kinds of angles. I love answering them! But sometimes, I come across industry news or thoughtful articles that answer these questions far better than I could have. Below I share 5…
Our president, Steve Linton, recently sat down for an interview with Ursula Jorch for her podcast, “Work Alchemy.” Ursula’s podcast features over 150 interviews with business leaders and innovators, including Seth Godin, Marianne Williamson, and Soledad O’Brien, taking a deep dive into how businesses can have a positive impact…
We’ve written here before about the benefits of a green building certification to homeowners for energy bills in particular, such as the assurance that your builder is following many of the best practices known to building science, or that common issues that cause high energy bills are caught by…
