The work of David Hertz Architects Inc, Studio of Environmental Architecture (SEA), focuses on designing and constructing environmentally responsible residential and commercial buildings.
SEA engages in multiple facets of design, including product design, furniture design, public sculpture, environmental consulting, and the research and development of resource-efficient ecologic building products. In 1983 Hertz founded Syndesis Inc and invented the material manufacturing process of Syndecrete®, the innovative pre-cast lightweight concrete surfacing material. Hertz sold the technology in 2006. Evolving from a generalist nature of practice to a more specified studio has allowed for a comprehensive understanding of creative problem solving and an opportunity to view design challenges from multiple perspectives. SEA is a small practice located in Venice and Santa Monica for over 20 years.
SEA has particular experience in practicing and incorporating sustainable and resource-efficient design principles in its built work. The architecture incorporates natural ventilation, natural light, passive solar energy, pre-fabrication, and high-performance wall systems. SEA has particular interest and experience in utilizing innovative and unusual materials to create harmonious compositions of texture and form. Juxtaposing concrete, glass, and wood materials maximize the honest expression of structure and materials. Architectural projects have focused primarily on custom residential projects with experience in climate-responsive buildings in the coastal zone and Malibu's hillsides, Northern California, Oregon coast, and tropical climates such as Hawaii, Bequia, and Costa Rica. Space-efficient, budget-conscious projects in the local community of Venice Beach have spawned several notable homes, unique in their use of space and innovative building techniques. A determinant of each project is to maintain a solid connection to the exterior while providing comfortable and energy-efficient living spaces. Commercial projects have included master planning for LACMA and several tenant improvement and free-standing commercial projects for entertainment, advertising, technology companies, retail and educational facilities.
SEA has become a model for environmentally conscious enterprises. David is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited through the US Green Building Council. He is a Santa Monica Environmental Task Force member and a Heal The Bay nonprofit board member. SEA received a grant from the City of Santa Monica to be the pilot project for their new green building initiative, CEI- Community Energy Independence. The company has won the City of Santa Monica's Sustainable Leadership Award and the Eco-Home Network's Sustainable Living Award.
The work of SEA (and Syndesis) has been widely published and exhibited internationally and featured in multiple television programs, most recently on Apple+'s "HOME" docuseries and Netflix's "World's Most Extraordinary Homes."