Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: High-End Luxury, Highest Ecofriendly Rating in California
Solar panels and energy savers let this posh LEED Platinum home produce as much energy as it consumes
A beautiful home isn't an uncommon sight in Montecito, California. But this house hides a secret under its luxurious exterior — it's one of the first LEED Platinum-certified homes in the area.
Designers and architects John Maienza and Gregg Wilson camouflaged the ecofriendly features with a high-end design. Thanks to solar panels and energy-saving systems, this house can produce as much electricity as it consumes. "I don't think you have to make design compromises in a sustainable home," says Maienza.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Montecito, California
Size: Main house: 2,700 square feet; pool house: 700 square feet
Designers and architects John Maienza and Gregg Wilson camouflaged the ecofriendly features with a high-end design. Thanks to solar panels and energy-saving systems, this house can produce as much electricity as it consumes. "I don't think you have to make design compromises in a sustainable home," says Maienza.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Montecito, California
Size: Main house: 2,700 square feet; pool house: 700 square feet
Low-water grasses and succulents live on the roofs of the garage and the pool house. The roof installations provide passive cooling inside both spaces and increase permeable surfaces on the property to reduce water runoff.
On the main house, a rainwater harvesting system takes rainwater from the roof and deck to a 5,000-gallon underground cistern for irrigation.
On the main house, a rainwater harvesting system takes rainwater from the roof and deck to a 5,000-gallon underground cistern for irrigation.
Passive solar techniques allow each room to fill with sunlight during the day. Clerestory windows and other architectural features bring light into even the most interior spaces. Maienza and Wilson wanted to blur the line between indoors and out. This upstairs cantilevered corner and pocket glass doors add to the open feel.
The great room combines the living room, dining room and kitchen. Radiant-heat flooring keeps the entire space warm. Maienza and Wilson installed cabinetry made of walnut and zebrawood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), low-flow faucets and all Energy Star–rated appliances in the kitchen. Every lighting fixture uses an LED bulb.
Kitchen pendants: CB2; countertop: leathered limestone; dining and living room furniture: James Perse
Kitchen pendants: CB2; countertop: leathered limestone; dining and living room furniture: James Perse
Ipe wood was used for the siding and decking. To qualify for LEED Platinum certification, Maienza and Wilson had to make sure all the tropical wood was FSC certified.
The swimming pool is heated with a dedicated set of solar panels. "During a normal sunny day, the electrical meter on the house spins backwards, indicating we are generating power to feed back into the electrical grid," says Maienza.
Limestone flooring in the 700-square-foot pool house stays strong against wet feet. A CB2 sofa and ottomans provide comfy seating.
Pillows: Raoul Textiles
Pillows: Raoul Textiles
Each room in the house has a sliding door to the outside. Dual-pane windows and spray-foam insulation ensure that every room maintains a comfortable temperature.
Bed frame: James Perse; bedding: Raoul Textiles; side table: Design Within Reach; table lamps: Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
Bed frame: James Perse; bedding: Raoul Textiles; side table: Design Within Reach; table lamps: Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
The master bedroom gets plenty of natural light from a large sliding door that leads to the central courtyard. Maienza and Wilson chose warm and modern furnishings to complement the home's architecture.
Bed frame: Overstock.com; side tables: Design Within Reach; table lamps: Mitchell Gold Bob Williams; bedding: Raoul Textiles
Bed frame: Overstock.com; side tables: Design Within Reach; table lamps: Mitchell Gold Bob Williams; bedding: Raoul Textiles
Limestone tile covers the walls, floor and ceiling of this walk-in shower. A sliding door opens into a private side courtyard.
Local, indigenous and drought-tolerant plants combined with gravel, ipe and pavers keep the yard low maintenance and minimize runoff into the ocean. Agave, Little Gem magnolias, flax grasses and Golden Goddess clumping bamboo surround most of the home.
A custom black bamboo and ipe front gate keeps the open house hidden from street view. The beautiful home sets a precedent for other houses, proving that luxury doesn't have to be wasteful.
Land use planner: Patsy Stadelman, Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck
LEED consultant: Shellie Collier
Project supervisor: John Cole
Collaborating architect: Verl Adams
Land use planner: Patsy Stadelman, Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck
LEED consultant: Shellie Collier
Project supervisor: John Cole
Collaborating architect: Verl Adams
In sunny Southern California, the solar panels on the butterfly roof can be counted on to provide most of the home's required energy, although the house can draw from the local electrical grid if needed.