September 25th, 2008 · 1 Comment

KITCHEN
The spacious kitchen is located on the first-floor. The floors are made of eco-friendly Terra Green Ceramics. It is made with 55 percent recycled glass content and qualifies for LEED certification points (from the U.S. Green Building Council). The cabinets, made by Crestwood kitchen cabinets with an oak veneer and an espresso stain, are free of formaldehyde particleboard substrates.The countertops are made of EcoTop biocomposite (bone/ivory).The fixtures are also eco-friendly, including a cooktop designed by GE Monogram; an Energy Star refrigerator/freezer, which uses 15 percent less energy than currently required by federal standards; the Kohler Poise, an under-the-counter single basin, among other items.

MASTER BED AND BATH (2nd Floor)
The master bedroom and bath are a work of art. The bedroom is comprised of a Verde Design Studio platform bed. The nontoxic materials used in the company’s designs are recyclable or biodegradable, according to its Web site. The Natural rubber latex mattress with an organic covering.

The master bath is a picture of water efficiency. The shower tiles, a cloud white matte finish, are made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer glass.The Kohler showerhead results in a 30 percent reduction in water consumption without sacrificing performance.

The Kohler Persuade toilet also is keen on water efficiency. A two-button actuator offers .8-1.6 gallon flush options for light or bulk waste, saving as much as 6,000-25,000 gallons of water over traditional 1.6- or 3.5-gallon toilets.

CHILD’S BEDROOM

The child’s bedroom aids in energy and exercise efficiency in that they must pedal a Trek bike bicycle to turn on the television. Many visitors chuckled, saying their children would either get incredibly fit in order to watch television or find another activity. The bedroom decorations are eco-friendly. The Bellisima white desk is built into the wall and is comprised of environmentally friendly material. The walls are covered by high-density wood pulp that contains no PVC or harmful solvents and is comprised of environmentally friendly material. The completely biodegradable TriChair is sustainably made of hardwood dowels and rawhide.

GARAGE
In urban areas, parking is premium. The Smart Home not only has a spacious garage complete with outdoor carpeting, multimedia storage, and electronic garage doors, but it showcases a silver Honda Civic Hybrid, one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class (42 mpg, combined city/highway).

OUTDOOR LIVING
Even with winter hovering about like a melting glacier, the Smart Home’s outdoor living spaces cannot be ignored. They are an important element to the home’s overall sustainable design. It features a Fire Cube, an outdoor fire pit that runs on natural gas or propane. The roof deck, made of reclaimed plastic and scrap wood that would otherwise be trapped in a landfill, is a great place to relax and enjoy a cookout.

Whether you are considering building a green home on your own, or curious about the process, the Smart Home adds a new dimension to the future of sustainable green living.

Copyright © 2008 | Distributed by Noofangle Media

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