Seadrift Residence - Exterior/Entrance

Built: 2007

This sustainable, 1900-square-foot beach house design follows a rigorous sustainability program, achieving the Marin Planning Department's highest rating for resource efficiency. It is as environmentally friendly as it is stylish. The middle of the living space consists of a rotating fire orb that is designed to distribute warmth equally throughout the room. The generous amount of wood throughout the home gives a natural, inviting look while providing plenty of natural insulation. Photovoltaic panels generate all the home's electricity, sending surplus energy back to the grid. All the home's systemsâ€"hot water, HVAC, and radiant heatingâ€"are integrated, electric-based, and powered by the PV panels on the roof. The only use of natural gas is at the cooking range, which draws from a 50-gallon propane tank. With the exception of the propane tank, the home is net-zero in terms of its energy consumption.