Designed by a local architect and built of local California natural materials, this home houses three generations of one family and blends easily with the countryside. The clay-plastered straw ball walls form the home which is oriented for passive solar heat gain in the winter and for natural ventilation in the summer. It contains a grid-tied photovoltaic system, hydronic in-floor heating and the highest efficiency boiler for hydronic heat and domestic hot water.

Cork and tumbled natural stone were used as flooring and accentuate the exposed concrete floors. Sun tubes and skylights assist with daylighting. Reclaimed local timbers were used for structural posts, window seats, trim and shelving. Intricately inlayed concrete countertops, fine woodworking, and detailed tile work add to this project’s show quality.

Other green features include advanced attic ventilation, formaldehyde-free high level insulation, fully insulated slab, 20% flyash substitution in structural concrete, steel framing on interior walls, locally harvested lumber for finish carpentry, Energy Star appliances and locally fabricated concrete countertops.