For those seeking a home that maximizes efficiency and strive to be as sustainable as possible, LivingHomes is one of the best options available.  An exciting and unique company, they build modular, prefabricated homes and take care to ensure that every step in the manufacturing process and every facet of the design maximizes efficiency and energy savings.  Ray Kappe, FAIA, renowned founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture has designed models for them, and they recently announced a partnership with KieranTimberlake Associates of Philadelphia for the development of an expandable single family home and a multi-family townhouse building.  LivingHomes built the first residence to ever receive a LEED Platinum rating in 2006, and ensures all homes they produce receive at least a LEED Silver rating.

LivingHomes begins its commitment to sustainability before construction on their homes even begins. They work with The Reuse People during the demolition of any pre-existing structures on the property.  Actually, they never do any demolition, but instead deconstruct, preserving the construction materials so they can be taken by The Reuse People for construction projects with Habitat for Humanity.  This reduces the waste sent to landfills, which are typically 40% construction waste.

The building of the LivingHomes' houses takes place in factories rather than on the job site.  This method, known as pre-fabrication, is cheaper because it occurs on a large scale, reducing the costs of materials, and because it takes less time as identical units are replicated over and over.  There is also less waste, because LivingHomes can calculate exactly what quantity of materials is necessary.  Each house is broken up into modules, or sections, typically the size of a room, that are pre-fabricated, then transported to the site where they are all joined together in a matter of days to create a single building.  This ingenious method of construction allows for a variety configurations.  Even though each individual module is a replication of a basic design, you can mix and match modules and configurations to customize your own floor plan.  This flexibility also allows for the rearranging and addition of new modules after the completion of the original building, allowing a home to change and grow in accordance with you and your family's needs.  A LivingHome can be renovated, remodeled, and added to more easily than a conventional home, and of course, this can be done without generating any of the waste that a typical renovation causes.

LivingHomes loads its houses with eco-friendly, sustainable materials and technology.  Nearly all materials are either reused or sustainably produced and there is no wood used for decorative purposes.  All the timber is Forest Stewardship Council certified, all countertops and tiles are made from recycled materials, and the insulation is 100% recycled denim. Using these methods, the model home that received LEED Platinum certification was built with 75% less waste than a conventional home.

LivingHomes also offers advanced systems for heating, cooling, and water management.  It comes equipped with a grey water re-use system, storing "grey" water already used once in the house to be recycled in outdoor irrigation.  The house also has rain sensing irrigation controls, a rainwater harvesting system, and high efficiency toilets, faucets, and appliances, optimizing water efficiency to the utmost.  The landscaping also helps combat urban runoff by featuring native plants and no turf or grass (which absorb runoff only slightly more than paved surfaces) and permeable paving surfaces.  

The heating and cooling systems used are also extremely efficient.  A radiant floor heating system saves on heating costs, while a whole house fan from Tamarack is all that is needed to cool the house.  Combined with good insulation, energy efficient windows, and their clever house design, these efficient heating and cooling methods keep the home comfortable with the most minimal energy demands.  

LivingHomes also takes care to ensure that indoor air quality, ranked as a top five environmental health risk by the EPA, is minimized in their homes.  All the materials and finishes emit low levels of VOCs, and the heating and cooling methods used mean the HVAC system is ductless, preventing contaminants from circulating in the home.  Homes can also include indoor gardens to filter the indoor air (rooftop gardens, or green roofs, are also an option).

To reduce electrical needs, all LivingHomes come with photovoltaic systems, and are furnished with Bosch EnergyStar rated appliances.  Ultra-efficient LED lights are also used.  The combination of all these features resulted in the LEED Platinum model home being 80% more energy efficient than a normal home of equal size!

For those seeking a home that is green from start to finish and that reduces its environmental impact in every conceivable way, LivingHomes offers the complete package.  Their single family homes can be located anywhere, from cities to suburbs to the countryside, where the pre-fab method can lead to the greatest savings.  They are doing their best to help with smart urban development with the promotion of their townhouse. The multi family unit promotes high density, sustainable, in fill development.  Their singe family homes range from 1000 to 4000+ sq. ft., 2-4 bedroms with 2-3 baths.  The price range is $350,000 to $650,000+.  When one considers the benefits of such a home to the community, the environment, and to your own energy bills and resale value, LivingHomes makes sense as an option not just for those of us who are avid environmentalists, but for anyone looking to make an intelligent housing choice.