My Houzz: Newly Sustainable in New Orleans
Energy-efficient and recycled materials plus an elevated perch give a post-Katrina Louisiana home a great new start
Like so many people in New Orleans, Jared Zeller and Jennifer Pearl had to start their lives over after Hurricane Katrina wrecked their home in 2005. But like many other resilient residents along the Gulf Coast, the couple turned the devastation into an opportunity to create something special.
Pearl, a real estate agent and Pilates instructor, and Zeller, an industrial supplier and the producer of Bayou Boogaloo (a free outdoor music and food festival), rebuilt their home and lives with sustainability in mind. The couple drew inspiration from the Make It Right houses going up in the Ninth Ward, and used energy-efficient materials and construction methods, like structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the exterior plus solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and recycled windows, doors and wood flooring.
But perhaps the most important sustainable strategy? Permanence. The couple built the new home 8 feet off the ground, to make it safer from floodwater.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jared Zeller and Jennifer Pearl
Location: Bayou St. John neighborhood of New Orleans
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms
Pearl, a real estate agent and Pilates instructor, and Zeller, an industrial supplier and the producer of Bayou Boogaloo (a free outdoor music and food festival), rebuilt their home and lives with sustainability in mind. The couple drew inspiration from the Make It Right houses going up in the Ninth Ward, and used energy-efficient materials and construction methods, like structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the exterior plus solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and recycled windows, doors and wood flooring.
But perhaps the most important sustainable strategy? Permanence. The couple built the new home 8 feet off the ground, to make it safer from floodwater.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jared Zeller and Jennifer Pearl
Location: Bayou St. John neighborhood of New Orleans
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms
The couple, shown here, chose the neighborhood partly for the larger lot sizes, which architect John Williams and designer Reynaldo Gonzalez used to create a relaxing urban backyard with a pool, balcony and hammock, where Pearl and Zeller love to hang out.
Pearl and Zeller are walking distance to the New Orleans Fair Grounds, where the Jazz Fest is held, and to Zeller's Bayou Boogaloo festival. They love having people over at their home during events such as these. "During Jazz Fest we had over 100 people with a crawfish boil and barbecue," Pearl says.
Front porches are a big deal in New Orleans. They're part of what defines the city's traditional style of architecture and what connects so many people with their neighbors.
The architect used contemporary elements, such as a clean tubular steel railing in place of the traditional Spanish-style wrought iron work that's prevalent in town.
The architect used contemporary elements, such as a clean tubular steel railing in place of the traditional Spanish-style wrought iron work that's prevalent in town.
The entryway to the house is through a security door that opens to this courtyard area roped in jasmine vines.
Material selection in the home was done with sustainability in mind, such as the living room floor, which is salvaged pine with a custom stain. The coffee table is a custom single-slab granite design by Gonzalez.
Granite: Intrepid Stone; art: "Night Falls," by Maya Eventov; accent tables: custom, Plexi-Craft
Granite: Intrepid Stone; art: "Night Falls," by Maya Eventov; accent tables: custom, Plexi-Craft
The hanging Fireorb fireplace reflects the couple's devotion to sustainable details; it burns denatured alcohol instead of gas or wood.
Gonzalez designed the custom wall piece behind the dining table out of premolded bamboo tiles mounted on plywood and finished with automotive paint.
Painting: Christy Bonneau; dog bed: custom, Reynaldo Gonzalez
Gonzalez designed the custom wall piece behind the dining table out of premolded bamboo tiles mounted on plywood and finished with automotive paint.
Painting: Christy Bonneau; dog bed: custom, Reynaldo Gonzalez
This dining set was the only salvaged furniture from the couple's flooded home. Gonzalez refurbished the pieces with a custom stain and new upholstery.
Sculpture: "Giddyap," by Wayne Salge
"With the mild weather, the screened porch is fantastic for reading a book or entertaining," Pearl says.
Gonzalez designed the tufted bed in the main bedroom and selected the drapes, chair and ottomans.
A roof constructed of SIPs lowers overall energy costs by helping keep the temperature constant even with a vaulted ceiling, an uncommon feature in Louisiana homes.
A roof constructed of SIPs lowers overall energy costs by helping keep the temperature constant even with a vaulted ceiling, an uncommon feature in Louisiana homes.
Clerestory windows in the main bathroom provide lighting above both sinks as well as above the toilet, pulling great outdoor lighting into a private space.
The house sits on concrete piles that create space for a first-floor garage — and elevate the home above potential floodwater.
Exterior body paint: Parakeet SW 6711, Sherwin Williams; exterior trim: Muddled Basil SW 7745, Sherwin Williams; landscaping: Twin Shores