Montana Avenue Office/Residence

This single family residence building was designed to respond environmentally and contextually with its location. The “L” shaped layout wraps all living spaces around the southwestern rear courtyard capturing the southern sun and ocean breezes while sharing the courtyard’s open space with neighbors’ rear yards.

The City of Santa Monica’s Residential GREEN BUILDING GUIDE was used as a guideline for many of the building systems, materials and standards used in this residence to enhance the natural light and energy incorporated into the building’s design and provide a more healthy and comfortable home with energy reducing practices. Some of the features in the building include: solar hot water heating; excellent provision of natural ventilation and light; efficient windows, appliances, and HVAC system; engineered wood framing members; low-VOC paints; efficient irrigation systems.

www.2009Montana.com

Go Green Playa Home

The Go Green Home plans to be the first LEED Platinum residence located in the quaint neighborhood of Playa Del Rey. This model of urban sustainability contains green features that include:

• Deconstruction and reuse/donation of existing structure

Energy Efficiency:

• 5.6 kW Photovoltaic system for power generation
• Electric car recharging station in garage
• Heat sink via ground floor foundation/slab • High efficiency spray foam insulation- R values up to R50
• LED and compact fluorescent lighting
• Eco Elevator

Water Efficiency

• Tankless water heating system
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures, including dual-flush toilets
• Graywater recycling system
• Rain water cistern and drip irrigation system
  

Sustainable and durable materials and Improved Indoor Air Quality

• FSC-certified lumber, sustainably harvested
• “Living Wall in center of home for improved air quality

Learn more at www.gogreencalifornia.com/case.html

Venice Walk Street Residence

805 Marco Place is situated on one of the charming Venice walk streets, three blocks from Abbot Kinney. Built on two stories, a large open plan ground floor, a dramatic steel stairway leads to 4 bedrooms, total sq. footage 2915. The lots are small, but we have achieved considerable drought tolerant planting, watered with a grey water system. The home has achieved LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC.
As environmentalists, we see our ‘Dark Green’ building as a contribution to preserving our planet and we accept that there is an education element involved in the process. We feel by sharing a wealth of information on materials and construction advice we can expedite the growth and use of sustainable products.

Our choices of materials and cutting-edge energy efficient appliances are intended to appeal to those who appreciate quality and careful design. The house reflects this consideration; it is not purely an indulgent architectural statement, but more a house that at once one realizes is very carefully considered and very well designed and constructed.

20th Street Offices, Belzberg Architects

The 20th Street Offices serve as creative working studios for three design firms in Santa Monica, California.  They consist of approximately 5,000 sf of studio space in a two story, plus mezzanine, building.  They are located on a 7,500 square foot lot in one of the United States top ‘green’ cities.  Belzberg Architects designed the building to achieve LEED-Gold Certification, and the company resides there as well.

Environmental sensitivity went into all aspects of the design and construction of the 20th street Offices.  The initial concept began with an open linear tube-like form sitting atop a series of moment frames.  This concept allowed the occupiable space to be lifted above the at-grade parking, maximizing it opportunities for natural ventilation and daylight.  With the open ends oriented to the east and west, the natural flow of air coming off the Pacific Ocean circulates through the linear tube, maximizing fresh air and minimizing the need for overworked mechanical systems.  The building envelope which consists of custom designed diamond pattern cladding, fabricated out of sheet metal, along with R19 and R30 recycled content insulation, minimizes heat gain and puts less stress on the mechanical systems as well.  Also minimizing energy usage is the natural daylight that permeates deep into the space through the 20’ tall glazing assembly on either-end, naturally illuminating over 75% of the building and eliminating the need for lights to be turned on.

The 20th Street Offices achieved:

• 31% savings in annual energy usage and costs. 
• 12.5% annual energy provided by rooftop and façade solar panels.
• 70% of the building’s electricity purchased with green power
• 47% indoor water use reduction.
• Native, drought-tolerant landscape with efficient drip irrigation
• 84.6% construction/demolition waste diverted away from the landfill
• Building materials have 30% recycled content
• 2.6% of building materials were made from rapidly renewable sources
• 42% reduction in urban runoff
• Heat Island reduction for 75% of roof area
• Access to public transit, bike storage, and shower facilities

 
By taking a ‘lead by example’ stance on building responsibly, Belzberg Architects has not only designed a building which can used for future clients and visitors to experience and visualize the possibilities of building green, they now have a test subject to experiment with future green building products and initiatives.  Along side of the firm’s latest trajectories in architectural design and theory, Belzberg Architects realizes that the ultimate achievement of any architectural exploration is one that also promotes the health and longevity of our environment and this is true of the 20th Street Offices.

30th Street Residence

This major remodel and addition to a small Santa Monica house is targeting to receive a Platinum LEED for Homes Rating.  The elements that provide character to this small flat-roofed Spanish-style house are being retained and new more whimsical and modern elements are being added.  The simple working class home is being given a new life and rather than forgetting history the new and the old are conversing. 

Recycled materials, above code insulation and waterproofing, water efficient plumbing and fixtures, low- or no- off-gassing materials, energy efficient lighting and appliances all add sustainable elements to this project.  Two elements, however, that separate this project from many other green homes are its size and the fact that much of the original structure is being saved.  The home, even after the addition is only 2077 square feet, yet it comfortably houses a growing family of five.  The efficient floor plan meets all the family’s needs and desires for both the public and private areas of the home.  Additionally, the reconfigured floor plan provides a much better connection to the beautifully landscaped backyard than existed in the old house.  The reuse and careful use of materials are essential to this project and need to be essential for development in general for a sustainable future. 

17th Street Residence

Green Features

• Storm Water Retention Pit - Collects water runoff from property so it does not go into our ocean.
• Solar Panels- 2.7 Kilo-watt solar power system.
• Cement-Fiber Wood Siding- Benefits include resistance to termites and fire. Fiber-cement siding will not rot, buckle or warp and holds paint for several years longer than conventional wood siding.
• 50 Year Roof- Durable 50 year life span roof from a local Fresno manufacturer.
• Recycled Exterior Paint- Amazon Environmental Paint
• Fly-Ash Concrete Slab
• Wheat Core Interior Doors- Solid, compressed wheat
• Gypsum Wall Board- High content, pre-consumer recycled gypsum
• Gas Fireplaces- No wood burning
• Vapor Barrier between Garage/House- Vapor barrier and additional seals keep car fumes and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) out of living environment. Fresh air ventilation system recycles air to bring fresh air into garage on a timer.
• Sun Tunnels- Lets natural light in during the day. They have a hidden lamp so tunnels can be used as a traditional light in the evening.
• No-VOC( Volatile Organic Compound) Primer and Paint- Non-Toxic, no chemical fumes.
• Formaldehyde Free Insulation- Naturally mold and mildew resistant.
• Energy Star Rated Windows- UV protected panes.
• High Efficiency Heating & Air- 25%-33% more effective than traditional system.
• Electro-Static Air Filters- Traps allergens and other airborne dust particulates.
• Fresh Air Recycling System- Sensor tells system when to bring in fresh air.
• LG Front Load Washer and Dryer- Washer has better seal than traditional washer which means less humidity; also windows in laundry room allow for ventilation and natural light.
• Dual Flush Toilets with two water flow options.
• Low-Flow Water Fixtures with water flow options.