Click any image for a larger view.
Click any image for a larger view.
THE RAINSHINE HOUSE, DESIGNED BY Robert M. Cain, Architect, AIA, LEED AP and built by Pinnacle Custom Builders — has received LEED Platinum certification. According to a recent press release, it’s the first modernist residence in the Southeastern U.S. to achieve such a lofty green certification. The Decatur, Georgia home was featured in the Modern Atlanta Home Tour last May 16-17. Here are some of the green products and elements of the home:
- 500-gallon rainwater harvest cisterns;
- Butterfly roof designed to collect rainwater;
- Locally-sourced, 100% recycled steel framing roof;
- Water-based insulation materials;
- Reclaimed heart-pine flooring;
- Energy recovery ventilator (for tight homes);
- Low solar heat gain coefficient windows;
- Abundant interior natural light;
- LED lighting system;
- Geothermal heat pump;
- 3.1 kW rooftop, photovoltaic system; and
- Deciduous plantings to provide efficiency benefits.
The owners moved in and professional interior photos are coming soon; both interior photos in this article show the home prior to completion.
The RainShine House is expected to consume only 43% of the energy normally consumed by a similar home built to standard code. It’s also nearly 100% non-toxic — practically everything is no- or low-VOC and formaldehyde free. But probably more important is how the design provides a connection to the outside world. After moving in, the owners sat in the front room looking through their floor-to-two-story ceiling windows: “We sat there for four hours, just watching the moon pass by. It was wonderful.”
Article and photos from: Jetson Green.
