Who Lives Here: John and Gillian
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Thanks to Willi for tipping us off to this beautiful home located in Tacoma, Washington, custom built in 2009 to be an entirely green, fully self-sustaining habitat. (And it's currently for sale!)
Sustainable design details include:
- Rastra insulated concrete form construction
- Brac greywater system recycles wastewater back into toilet cisterns
- Solar Panels provide all electricity with approximately $500 per annum back from City of Tacoma
- Sustainably harvested wood throughout
- Squak countertops - fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, glass, and low-carbon cement
- VOC free finishes
- Energy efficient appliances and LED lights
- Whole house water filtration system requires no maintenance
- Leak free building - maintains house temperature year round
- High efficiency gas fueled heating system
- Whole house air exchange circulates and filters air
- Rain garden collects roof run-off and allows it to go back into ground water and not into wastewater system
- Eco-paving in driveway prevents water run-off
• Read More: See more photos and read more about the home at Verdant Home Tacoma
(Images: Verdant Home Tacoma)
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Tacoma is definitely not somewhere you want to live, trust me, I grew up there. It’s pretty sad though, it’s filled with beautiful old homes… too bad most of them turn into crack dens.
I went to University in Tacoma and stayed for ten years. The North-End and Old Town neighborhoods are wonderful places to live and are indeed filled with beautiful homes. Mountain and Sound views and easy access to the outdoors. Sounds like this home is a wonderful example of that. Never saw any crack dens, but wasn't hanging out with Marcia-Cella either. Love this house.
Marcia-Cella: Wow, that is unfortunate that you would choose to make such an ignorant all-encompassing statement about Tacoma. You probably haven't been back since then, have you?
Tacoma is home to a stunningly beautiful university (UPS), one of the nation's largest urban parks (Point Defiance), as well as gorgeous neighborhoods filled with beautiful old homes. I happen to live in Tacoma, in one of the "undesirable" neighborhoods and I love it. I find the people to be incredibly welcoming, the houses beautiful, and the neighborhoods to be full of character and charm. It's too bad you have such a poor opinion on a fantastic place.
BTW, the featured house is beautiful.
Like any city, Tacoma has some less than desireable urban areas. However, it also has some wonderful neighborhoods, views of the ocean and mountains, and beautiful historic homes. It has the Chihuly Glass Museum, a great train station turned federal courthouse, a branch of University of Washington and, of course, the Pt. Defiance park and zoo. I really like Tacoma and think this house is lovely.