We created an outdoor sunroom that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing for a private courtyard home in Florida, USA. The area is affected by hurricanes all year round, with rainy summers and plenty of light. The client wanted a light, hurricane-proof, rain-proof retreat that could accommodate family gatherings and outdoor lounging without taking up too much space on the patio.
Location and Environmental Challenges：
The project is located on the east side of the residential courtyard, adjacent to the main building, on a level lawn site that requires integration into the courtyard landscape and wind-resistant structural stability. With an average of 3.2 hurricanes per year in Peninsula Florida and frequent short-term rainfall in the summer, the core of the design needed to address:
Structural wind pressure during hurricane season (target wind rating ≥180km/h);
Waterproofing and sealing during heavy rains; and
Spatial balance between large-area aurora demand and event space.
Design proposal：
Our design takes ‘Extreme Climate Adaptability’ as the core, and incorporates professional hurricane-resistant technology system in the fixed sunroom structure:
Strengthened wind-pressure-resistant structure:
adopts aviation-grade 6061-T6 aluminium alloy frame, and the wall thickness of the profile is upgraded to 2.8mm, together with hot-dip galvanized steel pre-embedded parts rigidly connected with the main body of the building, which, after wind load simulation test, can withstand the impact of wind speed of 38m/s (super 12), and the structural strength is upgraded by 35% compared with that of a conventional sunroom.
Hurricane protection glass system:
is equipped with 10mm laminated + 1.52PVB + 10mm toughened three-layer composite glass, which can maintain overall integrity even if it is ruptured by hurricane debris; the top slope of the glass adopts a 25° scientific tilt angle design, which reduces wind resistance and optimises the efficiency of rainwater drainage at the same time.
Intelligent windproof sealing system:
sliding and folding doors are equipped with a multi-locking point linkage device, which forms a full-perimeter sealing with the door frame through hidden latches when closing, and with the silicone fur sealing layer, the airtightness under wind pressure reaches Class 8 (GB/T 7106-2019); the bottom of the door is equipped with additional anti-flooding water blocking strips, which can withstand the intrusion of 250mm instantaneous strong rainfall.
Project Effect:
After the completion of the project, the sunroom has become the core activity space of the owner’s family: measured data show that the indoor wind pressure value is only 1/5 of that of the outdoor area during the transit of hurricanes, and the rainwater infiltration rate is 0 in stormy weather; the large-surface glass makes the indoor average daily lighting time exceed 8 hours, and with the adjustable shading curtains, it realises the comfortable experience of ‘strong light not direct, and cloudy days are still permeable’. The comfortable experience can be achieved with adjustable sunshade. Owner’s feedback: ‘Even during hurricane season, the whole family can safely enjoy the outdoor view from the sunroom, and the patio instantly turns into an open party venue when the folding doors are fully open.’ From 3D modelling to construction acceptance, the real-life effect is 98% similar to the rendering, successfully transforming the functional outdoor building into a practical and aesthetic living scene.
