Cayman Island house design is sustainable all throughout

Silverman Residence celebrates traditional Caymanian architecture with a modern twist and emphasis on sustainability. And, the homeowners’ passion for fishing, cooking and entertaining are embodied throughout their home.

After a great day of fishing, the boat is tied up and the day’s catch is dressed at the cleaning station on the dock. On the other hand, dinner is prepared in the stylish indoor kitchen while fish is grilled outside. The open doors in the central living space allow friends and family to mingle inside and out. They can also enjoy views of the canal over the unbroken line of an infinity-edge pool.  

Related: Solar-powered hotel on Grand Cayman features turtle-friendly lighting

Furthermore, practical sustainability is fundamental to the design of this home. The objective: create a simple and cost-effective building envelope. Therefore, resources could be invested in interior finishes, sustainability and entertainment features. Infrastructure for future enhancements, including PV and atmospheric water harvesting, were planned and implemented. This stylish and sustainable custom home can also be cost effective and embody the Caymanian lifestyle.

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Through these efforts, Silverman Residence qualified for LEED for Homes Gold Certification. Also, it set out to provide LEED-qualification education to the owner, contractor and subcontractors at the onset of the project. Furthermore, the home uses an average of 58% less energy than a standard house. It relies on over 19,000 gallon cistern to provide all water for landscaping and flushing toilets. It also provides an emergency water supply during a hurricane.

Materials are all low VOC. That means it contributes to good indoor air quality. The HVAC system uses MERV 13 filters (the highest rating typically used in residential construction). Additionally, the project summary reports a reduction of carbon dioxide – 6.7 tons/year, reduction of sulfur dioxide – 24.7 lbs/year, and a reduction of nitrogen oxides – 11.5 lbs/year.

Passive design elements such as overhangs on the south side provide shaded outdoor space and block summer sun, helping to reduce cooling needs. The home relies on LED lighting throughout and there are plans for a future 7.8 kW PV array that will allow the house to operate at electric net zero.

+ Equiterra Regenerative Design 

Images via Patrick Coulie Photography