GREEN LUXURY: BUILDING & DESIGNING GREEN CAN EXPRESS LUXURY & HIGH STYLE
Winter, 2010 | By Lori Dennis, ASID
The kind of sustainable thinking we have all heard is the limited client understanding of what “green” really means — and how seldom we actually get to practice it. We are flooded with images of recycled materials and composites which do not fit with the high-style standards many clients demand. Finding and winning-over a client with the resources to make it “right”, and with a budget to make it happen, was a dream come true. This Hollywood Hills home is a mix of rustic and modem design elements that include floor to ceiling windows, a media room, showcase bar with a 200-bottle wine cellar, limestone floors and more. The property also boasts panoramic city and ocean views, and focuses on indoor/outdoor living. While not completely LEED Certified, we were able to achieve a much higher standard of sustainability throughout without compromising its finely tuned contemporary style.
Making the home “eco-friendly” was the challenge, which called for surfaces, fixtures and materials that met sustainable criteria. The kitchen incorporates quartz countertops made from recycled content, and features composting and recycling bins, built-in, and fixtures which exceed new flow restrictions. Exotic woods used throughout as panelling and a surround for the bar is all actually FSC Certified. The Caesarstone bartop also maintains the eco-friendly philosophy.
The house was designed in an open plan, to enable a clear view from many vantage points in the residence, while taking advantage of the dramatic views from the floor-to-ceiling windows made with thermal-reduction, reflective glass panels. Even the infinity pool has special recycling features to ensure less water waste.
While every client may desire to be as green as possible, I also know that in practice it can be hard to achieve. I hope that this home demonstrates that a true sense of luxury can be reached while maintaining a concerted effort to be sustainable.