This is the Brooks Residence, and it’s one of the 10 highest LEED-rated homes in California. Located in Venice, California, the craftsman-style home received 109 points and is one of about 40 local homes certified under the LEED for Homes program. It was built by Rick Arreola and designed by Duvivier Architects for principle Isabelle Duvivier, who wanted to modernize the existing home with more space, light, and sustainability.
The first floor was opened and expanded to create a larger living and kitchen, as shown in the pictures. At the same time, Duvivier sought to increase natural light and ventilation through carefully placed windows, solar tubes, and skylights.
To conserve energy, there’s 2×6 wall framing, insulation per QII guidelines, high-efficiency appliances, and Energy Star lighting (95% LED lights), resulting in a home that’s 52% more efficient than an average new California home. There’s also a 4 kW solar array that produces power for the home.
The stairs and bookshelves were built with 2x4s reclaimed from existing walls that were removed, and Duvivier selected high recycled-content products for the exterior siding, bathroom tiles, concrete countertops, insulation, and foundation. To save water, Brooks Residence has two cisterns that collect 8,000 gallons of rainwater.
One cistern is used to water a fruit orchard, while the other is open and used as a fish habitat, as well as a water source for the cut-flower garden. The home’s graywater recycling system pumps water to riparian trees and a banana crescent. Additionally, Brooks has native drought-tolerant plants, mostly permeable surfaces, a vegetable garden in the front yard, and a vegetated swale.
Source: Jetson Green
