Herlong Architects

Herlong & Associates just celebrated two milestones: entering our second decade of business and obtaining our first EarthCraft certified green house. 

Over the years, people are drawn to our homes for the design, and how beautifully the house takes advantage of the views and the sun orientation.  But as a company we are known for designing beautiful custom homes not necessarily ‘green’ homes. We know that our homes are extremely energy efficient, as we design a tight building envelope, we use high performing low-e double glazed windows, and spray insulation. We take care installing the windows and doors so that they are flashed properly, and do not have any air leakage around the edges. We install multiple mechanical systems, one for each separate zone in the house and specify energy efficient 15 seer dual speed HVAC units. But we did not have a test case to prove that our typical house was in fact a ‘green’ house. High performance yes, but actually certified, no.

The Silverman’s new home on Daniel Island changed all that.  At just under 4,300 square feet, the Silvermans wanted to build a sensible but comfortable home, one that would fit the Earthcraft model. The mechanical system used was no different than one we would typically place in a house. They did not limit their selections based on the newest green hype (concrete countertops, bamboo or cork floors); they chose what they liked and what suited their needs. In fact, we did not add any green products just to make the house ‘green’. What we did do is follow the model we have set in place for each home we design – create a high performance, healthy and comfortable home that reduces energy bills and protects the environment, all part of the EarthCraft guidelines. We accomplished this by obtaining the EarthCraft certification for the house and creating a special place for a special client.  

In the end all we can say is, ‘Welcome home Silvermans, welcome home’.

EarthCraft home designed by Herlong & Associates

White Elephant, Chinese Gift Exchange, Secret Santa…these are all gift exchanges commonly participated in at the annual “Office Christmas Party,” but this year Herlong & Associates wanted to do something different.  While brainstorming in an office meeting, Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” was suggested and immediately decided upon as a charitable organization we would support this year. Everyone in the office was truly excited to be giving gifts to children around the world instead of the usual co-worker gag gift at the office party.  While these typically do present a good laugh, we knew we would all get a lot more out of helping others in need, and so it began.  Herlong & Associates chose to make three boxes for children ranging from 2-14 years old and each person in our office contribute gifts as they were able.  It turns out we have so many gifts, the boxes are over-flowing and we are able to create another box for another child!  Once we have wrapped the full Christmas boxes, Laura Anne will be dropping them off to the Samaritan’s Purse organization for them to distribute to children around the world.  For more information on this wonderful Christmas “operation”, you can visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

Laura Anne & Sabrina packing Christmas boxes

Designing custom homes is what we do and when we get to show them off we are so proud! Creative Spark’s annual Art on the Beach fundraiser has previously featured beautiful homes and dozens of artists on Sullivan’s Island, but this year they take it up a notch by adding local chefs in the kitchens. The house tour features historic and luxurious examples of unique Sullivan’s Island architecture and highlights seven homes and galleries, over thirty artists, musical entertainment and chef demonstrations and tastings. Chefs from Cypress, Red Drum, Old Post House, Everyday Gourmet and The Mustard Seed will be cooking in the kitchens of these fantastic homes. Also new this year is the option to attend just one home where dozens of artists will be displaying and selling their artwork. 

The homes on the tour include two of our favorite Herlong & Associates homes, Oceanfront Luxury and Harborfront Living as seen on our website. These two homes and many of the others have been featured in Charleston Magazine and other national publications. Funds from Art on the Beach help provide scholarships and subsidies for individuals and teachers to participate in Creative Spark programs.

Art On the Beach and Chefs in the Kitchen will be Sunday, Nov. 9 from 1 to 5 PM with a reception following at Station 22. Advance tickets are available by calling Creative Spark at 881-3780 or at Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan’s Island both in advance and on the day of the event staring at 12 noon.

Art on the Beach 2008