Mayura Manor sounds like it should be the setting of a best-selling romance novel, but it isn’t on some lush estate in the deep South; it’s a custom home built right here in Winter Park using revolutionary and innovative technology to make it energy efficient, environmentally sound, and a wonderful space to call home. Completed in June 2022, the home boasts 4,330 square feet of air-conditioned space along with a 280-square-foot splash pool.
Designed by Sirilla Design Group and brought to life by the talented team at Turning Leaf Custom Homes. This 4,330 square foot ENERGY STAR Certified Home is filled with energy-efficiencies and design excellence with remarkable layout, navigation, smart technology, functionality and style.
*Photo by Roberto Gonzalez
We sat down with Joseph Sirilla, owner and principal designer of Sirilla Design Group, to learn more about this project. Sirilla Design Group, LLC specializes in creating homes utilizing 3D programs that range from graceful urban infill properties to stately custom estate residences not just in Florida, but across the United States. “We believe in honoring timeless architectural styles and proportions while instilling each home with a modernized and innovative twist.” Sirilla said. “Our dedication to designing for our clients’ lifestyles has allowed us to create custom tailored homes (like Mayura Manor) that are truly one of a kind.”
About The Design
*Photo credits: Roberto Gonzalez, Jon Ruz Productions and Turning Leaf Custom Homes
Sirilla has designed homes in Winter Park and surrounding Metro Orlando areas for nearly two decades. Being part of the home design industry for eighteen years, he has created a niche in the industry for what Sirilla Design Group provides, and this particular home sure delivers.
The architectural marvel of this residence is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. From its ornate exterior to its innovative design solutions, this home is a true showcase of architectural excellence. When it comes to the design, Sirilla said, “our team approaches each home with attention to constructability, careful consideration of the topography of the land, the position of the sun, all surrounding obstacles, and views of the site to ensure that every aspect of the design complements its surroundings.”
The homeowners had specific intentions for the design as well: Green-Built, Net Zero intentional design, without sacrificing style and livability. “The homeowner’s purpose for creating the design with us was to promote the fact that a Green Built, Net Zero home does not need to be devoid of great architecture. In fact, the opposite occurs when working with a strong team. The home site was purposefully chosen for the southern facing rear yard which gives the optimal solar gain,” noted Sirilla.
The exterior of the house features a striking contrast with two gable-end features adorned with sleek black trim against a pristine white painted body. Adding to its charm, two additional gable-end features showcase rich brick facades at the top of the gables. The pièce de résistance is a grand window measuring an impressive 6-feet-by-12-feet, which serves as the focal point of the home’s interior, offering an inviting view of the custom staircase. Moreover, an oversized 9-foot glass entry door graces the entrance, nestled within an extended porch area meticulously clad with precast concrete slabs. The rock bed driveways were intentional. The builder suggested TrueGrid, which aids in the permeability of rainfall on site and helps to not inundate the existing public stormwater system.
As we move beyond the façade, the architectural design continues to captivate. The rear and side elevations of the house exhibit their own unique features, including a lower rear wall that skillfully supports the sweeping 5:12 pitched roof. This expansive roof area not only adds to the home’s aesthetics but also serves as a “hiding place” for a remarkable array of 32 solar PV panels, cleverly concealed from view and visible only from ground level in the backyard.
Notably, a casita, or guest house, was also constructed using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), a testament to the versatility of this construction method. The casita was ingeniously connected to the main house using laminated veneer lumber (LVLs), seamlessly integrating the structures. To maintain the desired aesthetic, decorative brick cladding was skillfully attached to the ICF walls on the front elevation of both the main house and the casita. What is ICF? ICF is a system comprised of rigid thermal insulation panels on the interior and exterior of the wall used as the permanent forms for a thick, poured in place concrete wall casted with vertical and horizontally placed rebar.
Following the completion of the main house, casita, and garage structures, a stunning courtyard pool was added to the project, a feature that was not initially part of the architectural plan. Thanks to the project team’s familiarity with Fox Blocks, the pool walls were expertly installed in a mere five days, a testament to the efficiency and adaptability of ICF construction.
The Showcase Home
This home holds special significance as it was slated to be the 2022 Showcase Home for the Parade of Homes, presented by the Greater Orlando Builders Association. This meant that the project had to adhere to a strict timeline to ensure completion in time for VIP events preceding the 10-day public Parade of Homes. The use of ICFs played a pivotal role in allowing for an accelerated construction schedule while effectively managing the constraints of limited space.
A critical component of this project was ensuring the precise straightness of the ICF walls. Any imperfections were unacceptable, as a level-five drywall finish had been selected, paired with paint colors that would not conceal flaws. Additionally, custom casings around the window openings required the 2x bucking to be impeccably square and level. With the tight deadline looming, there was no room for error in “straightening” these openings.
The accurate placement of each structural embed was equally crucial, particularly for the impressive roof structure designed to accommodate and ultimately conceal the solar panels. Additionally, two substantial 8 5⁄8-inch-thick concrete columns were meticulously created to support a 16-inch deep ICF beam that spanned a generous 20-foot opening at the great room folding door. This intricate feat was achieved by carefully cutting back the ICF walls on the interior while ensuring the foam remained flush on the exterior.
Energy Efficiency
Beyond its architectural prowess, the home showcases exceptional energy efficiency. A standout feature is the 12.8 KWh solar PV system, elegantly mounted on the roof, providing power to the entire home. This includes two electric vehicle charging stations and a Tesla Powerwall battery backup with a substantial capacity of 28.0 KWh. Given the Florida climate, the ICF construction greatly contributes to maintaining a consistent and comfortable indoor environment without heavy reliance on heating and cooling systems. As a result, the homeowners typically incur minimal electricity costs, covering only the city’s obligatory connection fees and taxes.
To further enhance energy efficiency, all the light fixtures in the home have been upgraded to energy-efficient LED options. Additionally, the home’s water heating needs are met by two 80-gallon Rheem Hybrid Electric water heaters. Notably, these water heaters operate on solar-produced electricity and have the added benefit of “exhausting” cool conditioned air into the spaces where they are located. One of the water heaters is strategically placed in an unconditioned mechanical room, while the other finds its home in the detached garage. Both units, when in operation, effectively cool these areas with their exhaust, adding to the home’s overall efficiency.
Accolades
This remarkable home has earned the highest rating from the Florida Green Building Coalition, achieving Platinum certification as a Certified Florida Green Home. Impressively, it scored a negative 22 on the HERS Rating Index, signifying its exceptional energy efficiency. To put this into perspective, a score of 0 on the HERS Rating Index represents a net-zero home, highlighting the outstanding energy performance of this residence. Furthermore, the home is currently under evaluation for Energy Star certification, along with Indoor airPlus certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), further affirming its commitment to sustainability and indoor air quality.
The significance of this home extends beyond its architectural and energy-efficient qualities. As the featured Showcase Home for the 2022 Parade of Homes, presented by the Greater Orlando Builders Association, it took center stage in marketing materials and served as the focal point for the event’s media coverage, social media campaigns, and public relations efforts. Thousands of people had the opportunity to tour this remarkable home, and numerous local news outlets featured segments highlighting its exceptional design and construction.
Mayura Manor received 1st Place in its custom home category at the 2022 Parade of Homes Awards Ceremony, further cementing its status as a standout in the world of custom home construction. This recognition translated into tangible success, as the builders reported two new sales for custom ICF homes attributed to the success of this project.
Gracious homeowner (and local Winter Park realtor) Monica Tipirneni told Orlando magazine “At the outset, my primary objective was to construct a custom home that epitomized sustainability without any compromises. Having achieved this goal, I am now passionate about extending my expertise as a new home consultant to assist others in realizing their dreams of sustainable living without sacrificing on design or functionality.”
When Sirilla thinks back on this project, he reflects on the primary objective: to construct a custom home that epitomizes sustainability without any compromises. This goal was not only achieved but surpassed. As Sirilla noted, “out of the greatest of limitations, the best in design arises!” Now, they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in modern home design, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and sustainability in the housing industry.
For more information on building a green build, contact Monica Tipirneni at 407-718-0159.