THIS 3,000-SQUARE-FOOT, ranch-style welcome center is a prototype whose earth-savvy building practices earned it a platinum LEED ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainable features include salvaged construction-site stone for the fireplace and chimney, and ceiling trusses that were reconstructed from a dismantled pier, along with wheat-board cabinets, cork kitchen flooring, and sunflower husk countertops. More than 90 percent of construction debris was separated at the site and recycled.
TOO OFTEN, CITY living means sacrificing space (and privacy) for location. But this Spanish-colonial townhouse, designed by JZMK Partners, allows buyers to have it all, in spite of zero–lot line restrictions. Its first-level garden patio and two second-level decks provide al fresco retreats. And its three-car garage, tucked discreetly behind two first-floor flex rooms, is an unheard of perk for a city home. The nimble plan comes with luxuries aplenty, including an optional elevator, a butler's pantry, and a third-floor library. Spanish tiles and wrought-iron accents seal the deal. Who knew urban digs could live so much like a single-family house in the 'burbs (minus the commute)?
FOR ARCHITECT ERIC Zuziak, inspiration for this unusual duplex wasn't hard to find. The contemporary lines and strong geometry of the three-story Los Angeles residence echo those seen in his own home.
UNTIL RECENTLY, MIGRANT and resident farm workers in Pajaro, Calif., had no choice but to live in sub-standard, one-story units that often flooded. While many residents were temporarily housed in trailers, KTGY Group and South County Housing replaced the deficient housing stock with 63 two-story homes, each featuring living spaces that are elevated above the flood plain. Efficient and high density by design, the new homes are affordable by nature of their size, and long-term utility expenses are reduced with solar roof panels that generate 100 percent of the community's electricity needs. Multiple stairs facilitate easy access and diminish the “motel” feel, while gathering areas promote a safe, neighborly environment.
