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