Contemporary Southern Vernacular

An Architectural Digest Best Design Book of Fall 2025

This comprehensive guide taps into the wisdom of Southern vernacular traditions and cutting-edge building science to create sustainable, resilient, and healthy homes in the hot, humid American South.

Foreword by Robert Ivy, FAIA (Fellow of the AmericanInstitute of Architects)former executive vice president/CEO of the AIAand former editor of Architectural Record magazine

More and more people are flocking to the warm, sunny states of the American South, but the hot, humid climate presents a unique set of challenges to those building or renovating a home. Fortunately, veteran architects Jane and Michael Frederick are sharing the knowledge theyve accumulated through nearly four decades of designing homes in the Coastal South, offering accessible guidance to anyone looking to create their dream home.

This guide will allow readers to:

Explore how the unique characteristics of Southern vernacular houses were incorporated into seven different building formsSingle House, Creole Cottage, I-House, Shotgun, Beaufort Freedmans Cottage, T-House, and the Dogtrotand how these forms inform contemporary design;

Discover how the precepts of Southern vernacular architecturerefined over generations to respond to the local climate, materials, and contextoffer time-tested direction for guarding against mold and rot, minimizing hurricane damage, reducing energy consumption, and overcoming other challenges of creating residential buildings in the South;

Identify how using the vernacular concepts gives a project a head start on sustainability;

Learn from nine sustainable, resilient residential case studies, complete with photographs and design sketches; and

Become equipped to have thoughtful, knowledgeable discussions with designers, architects, and builders on detailing a sustainable, resilient house.

Believing that well-designed homes create happier, healthier lives, the Fredericks show how great home design not only honors the needs of the homeowners but also connects them to the land and its history. They provide the clear advice and guidelines needed for creating resilient, sustainable Southern homes that will last a lifetime (and beyond).

[AuthorName]By Jane Frederick and Michael Frederick[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Jane Frederick, FAIA, was the 2020 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), was awarded the AIA South Carolina Medal of Distinction in 2023, and is a LEED-accredited professional. Jane and her husband, Michael, established their firm, Frederick + Frederick Architects, in Beaufort, South Carolina, in 1989.
Michael Frederick designs AIA awardwinning custom residences that provide lasting value and celebrate the Souths architectural and natural heritage. He is a member of the AIA and is both an LEED-accredited professional and a Living Futureaccredited professional.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]201 color and b/w images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]201 color and b/w images[/ColorPattern]