architecture 4 us

Vicino House : Where Sustainable Design Meets Luxurious Design

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:58 PM PST

Vicino House created as a proof that it is possible to combine luxury principles and green home design concepts. The beautiful view also becomes additional valuable value for this sustainable housing. Located on the bluffs of Pacific Palisades, California, this Michael Gottlieb’s house achieved LEED Platinum Certification.

This house was originally built at 1950, with 180 deg views to the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay. Some renovations and additions was made, like the addition of new square footage on the original structure and adoption of several sustainable house design concepts with the using of some environmentally friendly products provide a new image for this house as a green home building.

As the sustainable aspect and also the higher level of refinement and elegance to the home, the design processes were done very carefully, especially to create an energy efficient system, prior to the sustainability project. The uses of several green products become very important.

The green construction processes were done minimizing the construction waste. Erosion controls were also done during the construction. Almost 75% of the waste diverted from the landfills and recycled. The durability of materials also became concern.

The building is completed with several green features, including 28 panels of 5,2 kW photovoltaic array to provide the electricity, two solar thermal panels to provide heating for producing 70% hot water, good insulation, radiant floor heating, good natural ventilation and lighting, LED lighting system, grey water processing system, and some other green appliances.

The materials used were also considered to have green features, such as high recycle content, recyclable, poison free, VOC free, free urea-formaldehyde and FSC certified woods, and supporting the sustainable project.

This house has back outdoor area for the inhabitant’s activities as its beautiful views. The external garden also provides fresher environment, completed with 100% non-invasive native and drought tolerant plants. Irrigation system is also controlled with sensors to reduce the use of water.

This sustainable house really can create good mixing of sustainability and luxurious aspect, with its green technology and its elegant design.