PROJECT-SPECIFIC GOALS

• Passive survivability (cistern, organic garden, off-grid capability/flexibility).
• Using LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge as guides, goal = innovation beyond LEED.

Energy

• Net zero-energy/zero-carbon emission home including the family’s transportation.
• Fossil-fuel free/oil independent house, grounds and transportation.
• Transportation (present/future) integrated into design—net-zero with enough solar for 5 electric vehicles. Conversion to electric fleet is in process.
• Super-efficient enclosure, including windows.
• Natural light primary/sole source of light during daylight hours. Connected load highly efficient, <1w per sf with all lights on at full power. All LED or CFL lighting fixtures, zero incandescent fixtures.
• Ground source heat exchange as sole source of domestic (radiant hydronic) heat and pool heat.
• Passive ventilation—no air-conditioning needed, but radiant cooling included as future-proofing and can be enabled for demonstration purposes.
• Dedicated fresh outdoor air ventilation, 24/7.
• On demand hot water loop.
• Wireless control system to manage home energy, provide performance dashboard.

Materials

• Replace conventional products/materials with environmentally preferable alternatives.
• Durability—100 years or more. Earthquake safety comparable to schools and hospitals.
• 100% FSC or reclaimed wood for entire project - interior (achieved 100%) and exterior (achieved 97% due to a minimal amount of engineered lumber not available FSC).
• 100% reclaimed or salvaged stone for interiors and landscape. No newly quarried stone except kitchen counters where matching layout in reclaimed impossible.
• Recycled metals for door and window hardware, railings, roof.
• Zero painted surfaces.
• No PVC onsite (except for certain small parts where alternatives not available).
• Existing home deconstructed, materials reused and recycled.

Water

• Super-efficient plumbing fixtures.
• All gray and black water treated and reused for irrigation; potable/city water for domestic use only.
• High efficiency irrigation system using harvested rainwater (50,000 gallon cistern) and treated black/grey wastewater.

Habitat

• Enhance and restore native plant communities onsite to support native wildlife.
• Long-term biological monitoring by team of field biologists.
• Highly efficient pool. Uses ozonation technology, reducing need for chlorine by 50 to 75%.
• Natural bogs for wildlife (bio-filtered, no chemicals).