Nov 27 2005
LEED For Homes Accepts the Optimum Performance Home at the Sea Ranch, California as a Custom Home in the New Pilot Project
The Optimum Performance Home(TM) will incorporate the very latest in technologically advanced materials and techniques to ensure minimal impact on the environment while delivering unprecedented living standards.
In today's environmentally challenged times it's encouraging to see a nationwide design template for sustainable and ecologically sound home building.
LEED(R) For Homes is for anyone planning or looking for a new home but concerned with long-term energy efficiency; low, natural resource consumption; and the harmonization of the living space with its surroundings. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program has been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and provides a "green" rating checklist for commercial, residential, and neighborhood developments.
"Green homes" have often been perceived as funky, hippie-crunchy granola- type structures, an image acquired during the era of early passive solar design and reinforced, to some extent, by the "natural building" movement, which includes cob (mass adobe) cottages and straw-bale homes. However, this image is a narrow stereotype that doesn't begin to capture the scope or potential of green home-building.
The Optimum Performance Home(TM)
Zero-Energy Consumption, Minimal Impact On The Environment, Age-Friendly Enhanced Lifespan Living
The home's 3,200 square feet of living space (4,500 square feet including garages, covered walkways, courtyard, and decks) is arranged in a three- building compound using a well-sealed, well-insulated, super-tight building envelope that reduces temperature fluctuations and enhances overall energy efficiency.
The home is designed with differing spatial experiences throughout to encourage exploration. The home will display innovative interior design and be furnished in a contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright style appropriate to its dimensions.
The home design connects the indoors and the outdoors with covered walkways, a courtyard, decks, and a garden to expand livable space, without requiring heating or air conditioning. There is abundant and excellent use of natural light and natural indigenous landscaping.
The main floor living area is designed to accommodate the capabilities of all occupants without any challenging physical barriers, even for the elderly and disabled. The home features a ground-level, open plan design for the living room, dining room, master bedroom suite, and spacious kitchen with solarium, exhibition cook tops, and home management system.
Whole house wired and wireless Internet access as well as whole-house audio and video distribution are integral to the electronic lifestyle features.
The second building in the compound accommodates a large state-of-the-art Optimum Performance Home Theatre with integrated rear-screen projection room and a home office.
The third building includes a two-car and boat garage, workshop, main level guest bathroom, and laundry room. The second level of this building has two guest bedrooms, a bathroom, and a dedicated study/library/surround music room.
For more information on the project, visit: http://www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph/