Archipelago Hawaii and MOKULUA High Performance Builder (HPB) embarked on a “change of pace” approach with a design-build that truly melded the science of design with the science of building. The stunning result is the recently completed 3,500 square foot, single family custom home, combining the best of universal and multi-generational design, Energy Star labeled while achieving one of the only LEED for Homes PLATINUM certifications in Hawaii. With this recent completion of yet another ground breaking green home, MOKULUA HPB achieved a LEED for Homes Platinum certification boasting a million dollar view at the top of St. Louis Heights. This affordably built and highly efficient Hawaiian style retreat does a great job of combining award winning design, thanks to Tiare Pinto and the team at Archipelago Hawaii and integrating the Energy Star and LEED for Homes high performance building strategies, MOKULUA HPB is so well known for. This Platinum home netted a HERS (energy efficiency) score of 15; zero being perfect while 90-100 is the range most homes in Hawaii are built to. This energy rating accomplishment puts this custom home in the top 5% of the nation’s newly built homes. A PV system contributed, however wasn’t oversized, which is the ever-so-common solution for energy “savings”. To suggest building a high performance home costs more is simply not accurate. MOKULUA HPB and Archipelago Hawaii are proud to tote that construction came in at less than $250 per square foot. This LEED for Home Platinum residence is an illustration of how easy, affordable and important it is to consider when approaching any construction, be it a remodel or new home. Achieving the highest level of certification in the LEED for Homes requires organization and planning, a competent builder and designer who understand high performance and green building and are committed to providing the highest quality healthy home. In a state with the highest levels of UV radiation, constant barrage of salt air, one of the greatest concentrations of structure damaging pests, the highest energy costs, and more should all be factors that have some relevance in your project and a quality assurance when building or remodeling your home. Hawaii is a perfect environment for building to a green label, such as Energy Star, LEED for Homes or National Green Building Standard. The average home in Hawaii requires 40% less energy than the same size home built on the mainland, a reduced need for heating and cooling as well as ventilation due to the climate consistency lessens the load and investment cost. However, with the high energy cost in the nation, it makes sense to consider a high performance home, not to mention the durability, health and quality assurance measures that come with building to such a standard. The approach to this LEED Platinum home was one of careful design and preparation between Archipelago Hawaii and MOKULUA HPB, establishing project goals early on to ensure the project would be successful, assist in strategizing how the engineering and construction would ultimately impact the end product, the path to certification, and the overall performance of the home. Being experts in building performance and green building practices helps when laying out the guts of the home as well as ensuring all the parts fit together harmoniously and make sense for a home in one of the most unique climatic environments in the world. When you have a Contractor and designer like MOKULUA HPB and Archipelago Hawaii, that literally work hand-in-hand focused on the essence of their expertise and in complete cooperation for the benefit of the homeowner, the process becomes overwhelmingly simplified and fun, as it should be. Building and designing a home for a family is a special job which provides protection for that family. It should be done with consideration for the long term; through durability measures, through indoor air quality measures, and for growth through design and construction.