The project is a major remodel of an existing Laguna cottage, a synergistic design of conscientious environmentalism and pragmatic modern/contemporary minimalism, with a sense of Zen like tranquility to the overall design, inside and out, including the landscaping. The total finished house area will be 3,288 SF.

This “Greening”, or environmental design effect, is accomplished by utilizing alternative building materials/resources that have an emphasis on being natural, healthy, more sustainable, environmentally/people friendly, low impact and chemical free. The projects design and construction, from the ground up, strives for the use of these natural, plant and earthen based materials (i.e.; wood, plant fibers, earth/clay, lime plaster, glass, zinc metal, plant/mineral based paints/finishes,..etc.,) inside/out. By using these more “Green” resources, the project helps to support better sustainability through low energy production waste/emissions, renewability, recyclable/biodegradability, and more importantly, the materials longevity (the time it will wear and hold up against weather/climate, maintaining its natural appearance).

There’s also the focus on efficient insulation via the wall materials mass (thickness), including the insulating material itself, and the use of exterior cladding as an effective rain-screen system, with its ventilation air space, for effective thermal energy transference and sound insulating performance. The structural rigidity and nature of the ICF building blocks will also promote improved seismic performance and fire resistance (the latter of which includes the exterior cladding materials). And with the very low, to no, maintenance and durability of the exterior materials (some proven for centuries in Europe), this will not only help offset future maintenance costs, but also help to maintain a very “new” appearance for much longer than what most standard exterior building materials offer today.