Early Florida settlers built their homes with features that we now recognize as environmentally friendly: Wide overhangs to shade windows and porches, high ceilings and big, operable windows for ventilation.
That is precisely what Orlando architect Geoffrey Mouen, AIA had in mind when he designed “Tradewinds,” the 7,316-square-foot show house in Baldwin Park sponsored by Builder Magazine.
“Early in the design, we analyzed the typical direction of the wind,” Mouen says. “The breeze comes across the pool and into the house through big doors that open up. The house is designed to capture the prevailing breeze coming across the lake through the atrium and into the main living spaces. Hot air rises through high, clerestory windows and the observation tower to help ventilate the interiors.
“The whole goal here is we’re not relying on new gizmos and gadgets to keep the house comfortable,” Mouen adds. “We’re using traditional methods that respond to the Florida climate. Of course, we can close the house up and use air conditioning when the weather is too hot. But our goal is to allow people to turn off the electricity for eight months of the year, open the house up and enjoy the beautiful, temperate climate.”
Combining classic and contemporary design (Mouen calls it Anglo-Caribbean influences) the house was raised six feet off its lakeside lot for privacy from the adjacent Cady Way Trail. Runners and roller-bladers who pass by have no way of knowing that the 9–foot louvered doors facing them lead to a Roman atrium – complete with fire cauldrons and a waterfall.
The residence has an unusual exterior – some neighbors believed the three-story building was a restaurant while others speculated it would hold church services on Sundays. However, the design actually optimizes the path of the sun to create intentional solar heat gain, interior natural light and exterior shading opportunities. A standing-seam metal roof reflects Florida’s harsh sunlight while prevailing winds from the Lake Susannah keep 2,200-square feet of covered outdoor areas cool.
Fourteen windows in the observation tower draw hot air out of the residence like a passive attic fan. Undoubtedly, early Florida settlers would approve.
Renee Writes Now! 
I had no idea Tradewinds existed. Perhaps
I’ve been wallowing in my own poverty for
too long and spending too much time in
front of my computer. Great article!! Now
I have something to do this weekend!!
I watched this house go up, and frequently take a break from riding my bike and sit on the wall below it on Cady Way. The house has some very interesting details and and solid craftsmanship. I can not say that I am a fan of everything in the house but I do like the exterior and the way the house wraps around the pool. If I remember correctly, the house was listed at close to 4 million. I had wondered about some of the features. I believe that the house was listed as Green Certified and wondered if that is the same as LEEd certified. Perhaps you have the answer. Thanks for the informative article that answered my questions.
Yes, the price is around $4 million but it includes Epic Hardwood flooring, which is composed of wood fiber that’s created in the manufacture of other products (such as sawmill by-products) that would otherwise be burned or put into landfills. Epic’s 3/8-inch thick hardwood products use approximately 50 percent less newly forested wood in their production than conventional alternatives.
In addition to passive ventilation, the house boasts energy systems engineered for ultimate efficiency, a Trane air purification system and a Honeywell de-humidification system. The builders also used low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds ) paint in the healthy and energy-efficient home, which was awarded a green certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit Florida corporation dedicated to improving the built environment.