Beyond Green Beauty

This split-level Carmel home, with views of the Pacific stretching for miles, was reconfigured to create a sense of openness and connection with nature—inside and out. Representing a new era in sustainable building, the home was crafted to meet Living Building Challenge Zero Net Energy standards. It uses no gas and consumes a fraction of the energy of a conventionally built home. Its modest electric energy use is offset with photovoltaic panels on the roof. Completely free of materials and finishes that contain harmful chemicals, the home is healthy for both occupants and the planet. The homeowners’ sense of style and passion for green living are reflected in their selection of fixtures and finishes. The “living wall” inside the main entrance, finishes and built-in furnishings that emulate nature and landscaping that is both beautiful and sustainable, demonstrate the limitless possibilities for environmentally responsible living.