535+ ECO-FRIENDLY RESOURCES 10 SHOPPER S GUIDE THINGS HOW TO TELL IF IT S » LIVING WELL REALLY GREEN ANYTHING EVERY GREEN HOME SHOULD HAVE

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Anne McBride
7 years ago
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1 LIVING WISELY» LIVING WELL 535+ YOUR GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING ECO-FRIENDLY THINGS RESOURCES 10 EVERY GREEN HOME SHOULD HAVE SHOPPER S GUIDE HOW TO TELL IF IT S REALLY GREEN NHCover.indd 4 July/August SAFE PRODUCTS TO CLEAN ALMOST ANYTHING 5/15/07 11:57:13 AM

2 Living in L.A. For Steve Glenn of LivingHomes, enjoying a beautiful green modular home is all part of the job. Gorgeous, airy views and outdoor living spaces such as balconies, decks and a living roof garden connect this healthy, modular home with its urban environment. R o b y n G r i g g s L a w r e n c e P h o t o g r a p h y b y S c o t t V a n D y k e

3 Perched in an established hillside neighborhood in Santa Monica s Ocean Park neighborhood, LivingHomes CEO and founder Steve Glenn s modernist home is quite a conversation starter. But this is no superficial conversation about how hot prefab prefabricated houses are manufactured in units and assembled onsite has become in the last few years. Steve s house which also acts as a model home for his sustainable residential prefab development company boasts an array of eco-friendly features, from solar panels and a green roof to recycled-cellulose countertops and LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. LivingHomes prefabricated houses are manufactured in modules and assembled on site this one was constructed in eight hours. Natural Home July/August 2007

4 The first residence to receive a platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes program, the two-story, 2,500-square-foot home is composed of 11 modules that were crafted in a factory and constructed on site in just eight hours. Steve s home was also named one of the American Institute of Architect s Top Ten Green Projects for (We introduced readers to this home in Your Green Home of the Future in the March/April 2007 issue.) We recently visited Steve s home and asked him about living in this open, airy space. Natural Home: You live in a zero-energy, zero-carbon, zeroemissions residence. Can you explain what all that means? Steve Glenn: It would be a misnomer to say we accomplished all of that those were the design goals we set up to guide the design of all our houses. We re reclaiming water from the house for irrigation, which is what we mean by zero water. We re minimizing waste and carbon, as well as VOC offgasing inside the home. [Note: VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are toxic chemicals from manufactured items such as building materials, adhesives and paints that outgas into the air.] On this first one, we really didn t achieve all of these goals. We re not quite zero on anything. We knew we wouldn t have zero waste and would have a small level of VOC emissions. The point was to minimize these as much as possible, and we came extremely close. We bought carbon offsets paying for sustainable companies to perform greenhouse gas-reducing activities such as planting trees for the home s first year of operation, and we ll be zero carbon because of that. NH: How much did it cost to build this house? Steve: $250 per square foot for the structure and $130 to $140 per square foot for the foundation. We charge about $300 per square foot, installed, for our homes. The kitchen s Paperstone countertops, made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper, are available in seven colors and are stain- and heat-resistant. RIGHT: This modern home will cost less to operate over time because of its energyand water-efficient appliances.

5 Owner Steve Glenn s favorite aspects of the home volume, texture and complexity are enhanced by its connection with the outdoors. Natural Home July/August 2007

6 The point was to minimize as much as possible, and we came extremely close. Steve Glenn The home features moveable walls and built-in furniture so homeowners can modify the space to suit their needs. Several separate but open living spaces allow homeowners and visitors to work, chat, cook and watch television in distinct areas, while still being within view of one another. NH: Your house was the first to receive the highest available LEED for Homes certification. What did it take to get this, and was it worth it? Steve: It took a lot of hard work, but our company is committed to LEED s environmental standards. Because the LEED for Homes program is pointbased, with points awarded in many different categories, there were lots of ways to get there. At this level, we had to do a lot in each category, or it wouldn t add up. So we worked hard to make the house energy- and waterefficient, and we were very responsible about how we sourced materials and how they were used. NH: What would you do differently? Steve: I m quite comfortable living in the house. I can t think of any big things I d change, but there are small things like light switches that should be in different places. The man who designed this home, Ray Kappe, is a world-class architect who has already built many amazing houses.

7 Radiant in-floor heating and FSC-certified wood throughout the interior soften the home s cutting-edge design and make it warm and homey. T h e G o o d S t u f f Prefab building reduces construction waste. Homeowners also can adjust the home s layout to meet changing needs. Infill (within the established city, reducing urban sprawl) urban site was minimally disturbed during construction. Living roof garden repurposes stormwater runoff, helps reduce heat and insulates the home. Advanced irrigation system minimizes water use. Rainwater harvesting and graywater recycling systems reuse water for landscape irrigation. Environmental monitoring system measures water and electricity use. Solar panels generate electricity. Solar water-heating system drives radiant heating system. LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs use less electricity than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs and last at least twice as long. Landscaping consists of organically grown, native, droughttolerant plants. Interior finishes and cabinetry are built from reclaimed or Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. Thermal, high-performance windows reduce heat loss or gain. Bosch appliances meet Energy Star standards and Kohler fixtures are water efficient. Countertops are Paperstone, made from post-consumer recycled paper. Low-VOC, formaldehyde-free materials and finishes are used throughout. Natural Home July/August 2007

8 The home s upstairs sections include open spaces offering views to the lower levels, furthering its spacious, integrated feel.

9 NH: What s your favorite part of the house? Steve: The light and the visuals the space s complexity, texture and volume. Several systems throughout the home save and repurpose water. The living roof collects stormwater runoff for reuse within the home, while the graywater recycling system provides landscape irrigation. NH: Modular, prefab houses especially those that can be marketed as green are hot right now. What should readers know if they re in the market for this kind of home? What should they look for? Steve: I m not aware of that many people who are building green modular homes. A number of companies are doing modern prefab houses, but relatively few are integrating a comprehensive, LEED-certified environmental program. Prospective homebuyers should look at a company s track record and environmental features. Moving forward, as the LEED for Homes program unrolls officially in the coming year, it will be important for prospective homeowners to ask builders whether they plan on building LEED homes. Web extra: To find items used in this house, visit at Pantry Laundry Half Bath Living Room Bookcases Kitchen Indoor Garden Office Master Bath Modular Casework Bedroom Folding Walls Bedroom Bath Fireplace Dining Room Sitting Room Media Room Balcony Master Bedroom Open Space Open Space Balcony Sitting Jacuzzi Balcony Room F i r s t F l o o r S e c o n d F l o o r Natural Home July/August 2007

CASE STUDY: The EVERGREEN

CASE STUDY: The EVERGREEN 1691 Palm Ave Summary Information Type: Residential Occupancy: Single Family Residence Size: 3,075 square feet Completed: 2009 Owner: Rob and Denise Smith Developer: E2 Homes,