Earlier this year, a company called Lorax Development (Yes, inspired by the Dr. Seuss tale of the same name) opened a home to the public they developed in the Mission District (San Francisco) called the Clipper House. This is a traditional Victorian row house in the neighborhood that has been remodeled, not a new home from the ground up. What makes this house different? It was the culmination of 5 years of effort by the three founders of Lorax, Mike Kerwin, Joel Micucci and Pat Loughran, to demonstrate that a green and efficient home can still be stylish and livable. Boy did they succeed!
Some of the distinct features of the home include:
- Rainwater harvest, cleansing, and storage for use in non-potable areas (for everything other than drinking and bathing)
- Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels to generate electricity
- Solar thermal hot water heater for home radiant heating as well as traditional hot water demands
- Insulation made from recycled denim
- Teak hardwood flooring from recycled railroad ties
- Energy efficient doors and windows
- Foundation is 40% fly ash cement substitute
- Strategically located skylights for sunlight harvest
- Fiber cement siding
- Low VOC paints
Here’s a peek at the inside of the greenest house in San Francisco:
Photo Credit: Inhabitat
