The Energy House knows that “Energy Efficiency Begins on the Drawing Boards” nowhere is that more apparent than in the design of a new home or the expansion of an existing structure. Having an experienced architect as part of the team is one of the most important steps in making your project more energy efficient. While the Energy House has worked with other very good architects from the area one of our most recommended is SB Design Studios out of Arlington and Alexandria.
SB Design Studios is the architect of record for EH 14 and other current projects for the coming year:
SB Design Studios Founder & Owner – Salvatore Benvenga
For more information visit www.sbdesignstudios.com.
Born into a family with a long history in construction, Salvatore Benvenga was exposed to blueprint drawings and project discussions at a very young age. In fact, he began drawing house plans and elevations at the age of eight and in his teenage years he attended an intensive summer architecture program where he won a competition to redesign Lafayette Park in Washington, DC.
After high school, Salvatore attended The Catholic University of America receiving his Bachelor of Science degree for Architecture in 2000. Seven years later, he returned to his Alma Mater to pursue his Masters Degree in Architecture and Real Estate Development and became the recipient of the Henry Adams Award, an award given to the student who achieved the highest GPA in the graduating class.
Although Salvatore worked as an architectural project manager after college for both design firms and an award winning national home builder, it wasn’t long before he used his extensive background and experience in residential and custom home design to launch his own DC metro area architecture firm, SB Design Studios in 2009.
SB Design Studios consists of a close group of specialized consultants focusing on cutting edge, energy efficient design, establishing relationships with likeminded builders, investors, developers, and various industry professionals. These relationships allow the company to offer clients a wide range of services to both design new as well as enhance their residential or commercial space making them beautiful and energy efficient.
As the founder and proprietor, Salvatore draws inspiration from many sources: over 15 years of professional practice, international travel both domestically and abroad, his own passion for exciting and energy efficient design, and most importantly the drive to exceed his clients’ needs and desires every time. Because Salvatore keeps an open mind when working on new ventures, his designs are always cutting edge and innovative. In fact, he was recently recognized for his work on Energy House 9, a home in Arlington, Virginia, which is both beautiful and has an array of energy efficient features such as geothermal heat, enhanced insulation, high efficient HVAC and passive solar collection. Most recently he has obtained initial approvals for the first Net Zero residential renovation project in the City of Alexandria, which will be coming to market in the spring of 2016.
Over the years, Salvatore has expanded his expertise into the investment property and development area, continuing to grow while offering clients innovative, energy efficient design in an honest, and sensible manner.