Countless variables factor into what we think of as good and lasting architecture. Beyond a building’s design—but equally important—are the materials used in its creation. Local, sustainable and low-maintenance are three elements to consider when choosing your building blocks. Michaela Reiterer Henning, owner-designer at Naples-based Hlevel Architecture, helps us hone in on a few options to build a better home from the ground up.
Richlite
When discussing sustainable building materials, Michaela Reiterer Henning, of Naples’ Hlevel Architecture, tends to favor natural substances that closely resemble or are found within the natural setting. But, she gives credit where it’s due, and Richlite, with its composite product that combines recycled paper and resin, creates a strong, water- and heat-resistant surface for the ages. “I’m interested in drywall applications that aren’t prone to mold and water,” she says. Richlite, developed in 1943 in the Pacific Northwest, delivers as a leader in composite paper panels, with an alphabet soup of eco-friendly certifications. Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper layers are set with resin and bonded under heat and pressure, resulting in highly durable sheets usable in applications from aerospace to guitars to home. Though it comes in various colors that deepen and patina over time, inky Black Diamond is the most popular shade. Black Richlite cladding is ultra-modern against natural wood siding and walls of windows, while flat-panel cabinets and countertops are a dramatic complement to a backlit, white stone backsplash. The panels can be etched to create art installations and textured furniture. “Considering recent events, we’ve been reminded how important it is to build in a way that withstands extreme weather,” Reiterer Henning says. “[Richlite] is a sustainable, long-lasting material. We are definitely looking to use it in future projects.”
Courtesy Richlite, Surface Matter/Project by The Modern Hous
Courtesy Richlite, Surface Matter/Project by The Modern Hous
Coralina
A blend of stone, sand and fossilized coral and shells, coralina is a geological calling card of its quarry location. In South Florida, the creamy white Florida keystone is swirled with brain and fan corals, which cause rustic, distinctive variations in the slab that darken over time. “It’s one of our preferred materials,” the architect says. “It brings out the subtropical flare and adds a natural element to the home.” Though it’s suitable for construction, due to its beautiful look, coralina is most often used decoratively— it works anywhere you might apply tile. “We love to use it as an exterior veneer; as a driveway application, instead of asphalt, cement and concrete; and as flooring,” she says. “One client recently wanted all the flooring and pool decking with natural shell stone, which turned out beautifully.” Choeff Levy Fischman (below) and Naples-based Jeffrey Fisher Home (far right) show it used for exterior surfaces, while Fort Myers-based Dwayne Bergmann (right) illustrates how coralina enhances an interior stairway. Reiterer Henning advocates for human-made coralina from eco-conscious manufacturers, like Naples’ Earth Surfaces of America. Made by mixing lime with shells and recycled bits of stone, the terrazzo-like pavers don’t deplete quarries and are less porous and not prone to stains. Like natural stone, coralina also evokes a timeless feel. “It warms up the space,” she says. “It’s classic and will always look good.”
Courtesy Choeff Levy Fischman
Courtesy Choeff Levy Fischman
Courtesy Dwayne Bergmann
Courtesy Jeffrey Fisher Home
Cypress
“When a client likes natural wood, we recommend cypress,” Reiterer Henning says. “Cypress is perfect to use here. It’s long-lasting and resistant to mold because it’s used to the local hot and humid environment.” Grown from Delaware to Florida, cypress trees thrive in muggy swamps and are naturally rot- and insect-resistant, with narrow growth rings less susceptible to warping. “It’s a very versatile material that can be used for lumber in construction,” Reiterer Henning says. “But it’s also soft enough for interior applications, even furniture.” Naples-based METHOD & CONCEPT used cypress to stunning effect in a Keewaydin Island beach house, set against Vetrazzo countertops (made of marble, oyster shells and recycled glass) and translucent cabinets. With its warm, honeyed tones and natural grain, the wood is a perfect foil to stark, monochromatic design trends. Panels of cypress cladding soften cement-clad modernist facades; cypress built-ins frame the view of the Gulf; and old-growth sinker cypress—reclaimed from swamp waters and milled for cabinet veneers—can add an organic element to a black-and-white kitchen. For the ultimate in stylish-meets-welcoming interiors, wrap the space in the wood, stretching planks up and along ceilings. “The one con is that it needs to be maintained,” she says. “It changes color and becomes gray over time. If it’s exposed to the sun and water, it will not last untreated more than a couple of years.” We’d say this organic stunner is well worth the upkeep.
Courtesy Traction Architecture/Moris Moreno
Courtesy Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors
Courtesy Feldman Architecture
Courtesy METHOD & CONCEPT