Modern Eco Courtyard House in Florida

This is a newly constructed contemporary home in Winter Park, Florida. It was designed for a family of four by John Drake of Green Apple Architecture and has 2,988 square feet, as well as terraces, courtyard spaces, and cozy family gathering areas. As a certified green home, it's also a good example of the kind of home that can be built with proper planning, a decent budget, and the right team.

Certified at the Gold level by the Florida Green Building Coalition, this home has some impressive green elements: shady overhangs, energy efficient windows, remote controlled clerestory windows, a well-insulated envelope, Solatubes, solar hot water, etc.

Though architect-designed, it was built for the approachable price of about $164 per square foot. If you count the terraces and roofed spaces, the cost was more like $125 per square foot. In addition, efficient systems help keep energy costs down.

Lyndol Development built this green courtyard home, and One Stop Green provided green consulting and commissioning services.