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Cusabo Island Residence

The owners of the Cusabo Residence approached our firm specifically with a desire to have a home that would be completely energy independent, utilize sustainable building practices, and incorporate some of the most advanced sustainable technology available. Located on a private island off the coast of South Carolina, the project was designed knowing that wild fires, hurricanes and flooding are all possible.
Eschewing conventional heating and air conditioning, we have employed several passive heating and cooling strategies. Adjustable solar shades on the south face allow the winter sun to heat the house while shading the summer sun. The living space has a concrete slab floor with slate tile to absorb the heat from the low winter sun. Passive heating strategies also include solar hot water and radiant floor heating.

High, operable leeward windows and low windward windows create a stack ventilation effect for summer cooling and ventilation. A “cool roof” rated standing seam metal roof supports solar panels and collects rainwater, which is stored in cisterns and filtered, with the house’s grey water, to be potable. The septic system uses a low-maintenance, low water composting process. This sustainable island home is finished with cork and slate flooring, bamboo cabinetry and low-VOC paints.