When we look at this picture, we see a big house. Huge. And we think about the old square footage debate. Can a house be this big and be green?
During the design of their home, the owners of this large house in Los Altos tried to save money and make sustainable choices whenever possible.
The pool is heated by solar panels. The roof is made of structurally insulated panels (SIPs).They used recycled denim insulation and the designer "built-in natural ventilation and sunshades on most of the doors, and windows with deep overhangs to temper the light and decrease heat gain in the summer."
But they also decided to include a pool house (a seemingly unnecessary addition).
So what do you think? Green or not?
Read more about this house at SF Gate.
(Image: Matthew Millman/San Francisco Chronicle)
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I say not green unless you've got A LOT of people living in there. Part of being green for me is not using more than you need to be reasonably comfortable. That kind of square footage is overkill; it takes up land that could otherwise be used by plants and wildlife, it takes more energy to heat and cool, and the resources used to build it are-regardless of greening efforts-wasteful.
I think it's "more responsible" but not really green. The size and location (it looks private and not in a walkable/bike friendly area) prohibit it from being the most responsible choice. Also, new construction isn't going to be as sustainable ever as purchasing an existing house and making it green. It is beautiful though!