The owners wanted to build a compact house (1,600 s.f.) that reminded them of the Greek Islands and that manifested their concern for the environment, especially in regard to energy and water conservation.

Site Development:
• The house was built on a small (1/8 acre) urban-infill lot, close to the beach in a neighborhood of eclectic houses.
• The landscaping consists of mostly native and drought-tolerant plants and artistic stone paving and borders.

Energy:
• The majority of the house’s windows face southeast and southwest to capture the best views and warming sun. Heat is stored in the exposed concrete slab on the ground floor.
• Upstairs, a sunroom with a simulated-stone concrete floor helps to heat the living area.
• The space is further heated by an active solar heating system with fan-coils in three zones for distribution.
• An internal fan/duct system captures and recirculates warm air from the highest ceiling to the lower floor in winter.
• Windows on 2 or 3 sides of every room allow for good daylighting and for cross ventilation to take advantage of sea breezes for cooling.

Water:
• Rain water from the roof is collected into underground tanks holding 4,000 gallons. This water is used for the garden during the summer.
• A gray-water system collects water from the washer, shower and tub, and passes it through a filter before it enters the garden drip system.

Materials:
• The storage cupboards, kitchen island chopping block, stair railing, library shelves, bathroom counter tops and fixtures are recycled from older houses.