December 2007 | On Our Radar
If You Build It...
By Jessica Ridenour
Southern California may not be known — yet — for its glut of sustainable and eco-friendly abodes, but a few progressive homebuilders are bucking the notion that LA is stocked only with resource-guzzling McMansions. Here are five new residential building projects that are giving Southland homebuyers greener options.
South is a new downtown district featuring a trio of earth-friendly high-rise condos — the 176-unit, LEED Gold certified Elleven; the recently built Luma, which is targeted for LEED silver certification; and the Evo, due to be completed next summer. The walkable South Park neighborhood also boasts a pedestrian friendly streetscape with wide sidewalks, lush landscaping, bike racks and curb extensions to increase pedestrian visibility — encouraging residents to ditch their vehicles and truly engage in their community, one step at a time. exploresouthgroup.com
Venice’s project7ten, a collaboration between developer Tom Schey, architect Melinda Gray and environmentalist Kelly Meyer, proves that a home can be both beautiful and low impact. The LEED Platinum rated home seamlessly unites indoor and outdoor space with huge sliding glass doors and features Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, energy efficient windows, bamboo flooring, denim insulation, radiant heating, solar electric and solar hot water heating, Energy Star appliances, sustainable furnishings, drought resistant landscaping and more. It’s currently for sale by developer Schey. project7ten.com
WIRED magazine joined forces with designer Ray Kappe and LivingHomes (developer of green pre-fab homes) to create the WIRED LivingHome, an ultra-mod abode nestled in the wooded hills of Brentwood. True to its name, the sleek home is wired to the max with the latest gizmos, was constructed from an existing structure and features eco-chic furnishings, energy efficient appliances, FSC-certified wood framing, LED lights, recycled glass and wood and uses solar electric power. The high design home is expected to receive a LEED Gold rating and is currently on the market for a cool $4 million. wired.com/promo/wiredlivinghome
Orange County’s Depot Walk is the area’s first green, all solar multi-family community. The 32-home development was built in an infill site near the Orange Metrolink station using recycled materials, FSC-certified wood, cork and bamboo flooring and even employs nontoxic termite control. Depot Walk’s homes start around the half mil mark and are expected to obtain LEED certification. olsonhomes.com
The Eco-Home Network and Global Green USA teamed up with KJM Real Estate broker Ryan Flegal to create Green Lofts, a multi-family live/work loft rental in South Los Angeles. The disintegrating former light bulb factory was retrofitted with salvaged building materials, nontoxic American Clay, non-VOC pain, low-e windows and a 24-kilowatt solar array and is close to public transportation. ecohome.org; kjmrealestate.com
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