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Concrete Leads to LEED in California

The house will be constructed primarily of Structural Concrete Insulated Panels, composed of 60 percent recycled material.

Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 1/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

StudioRMA Pasadena House

Talk about setting it in stone -- a house currently under construction in Pasadena, California aims to become the first LEED Platinum single-family home constructed primarily of concrete.

The Pasadena EcoHouse, designed by designer Robert Mechielsen's Studio RMA, is being built with Structural Concrete Insulated Panels, or SCIPs, which are composed of 60 percent recycled material. The three-bedroom, 1,975-square-foot structure will also incorporate recycled glass and concrete countertops, solar generators, rainwater and grey water catchment systems, and sustainable wood kitchen cabinets by ALNO.

The builders expect to score LEED points in categories such as design, location, site impact, water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and green building awareness/education.

"This showcase venture will demonstrate the feasibility of eco-friendly new home construction, one of today's most interesting economic, philosophic, social and political topics," says Mechielsen.

Commissioned by homeowners James Copelan and Jancie Kapanski, the house is being built into a rocky hillside in the San Rafael mountain range with a cantilevered roof that will give the appearance of floating atop the home.

Renderings courtesy of ALNO.