Five Of The World's Most Luxurious Green Homes

With energy efficiency and green technologies atcompetition ‘I Own Britain's Best Home'. Built
the forefront of everyone's minds we're allfrom the ground up by Amanda Barrington, the
thinking about how we can improve the greenhome costs only £500 a year to heat and fully
performance of our homes. The usual methods ofutilises solar gain as well as the stunning woodland
improving heat retention with double glazing andlandscape and passing stream to do so. The
insulation as well as the possibility of utilising somesimple & modern yet homely style of both
green technologies such as boilers are somethingthe build and the interior fit the surroundings
we can all do. However when it comes to buildingperfectly and it has won many design,
a new home, take a look at these magnificentarchitectural and green awards. This luxurious yet
green design masterpieces. Combining such luxuryenergy efficient project works seamlessly and is
with such energy consciousness is a realdefinitely worth the title of Britain's best home.
achievement.Heather's Home: Weatherford, Texas, USA
Crossway: Kent, EnglandThis amazing eco-build was the first home in the
This magnificent four bedroom family home isstate of Texas to receive LEED for Homes
essentially one large timbrel vault and is situated inPlatinum Certification and amazingly for Texas the
the lush Kent countryside.  It was built withheating/cooling bill averages only $20 to $30 a
minimising the need for gas, water &month! Built at around $117 per square foot, the
electricity in mind whilst being light, airy andhouse features numerous green technologies
spacious at the same time. As well as using localincluding a rainwater collection system and a
materials and tradesmen to benefit the immediatewater heater that needs no tank and is powered
area, it was ensured that green targets wereby rooftop solar panels. Again the interior is
met through the use of the highest qualitystunning and all the eco-features are seamlessly
insulation, triple glazing and total air tightness. Itsengrained, another perfect example of luxury and
design really is unique, the interior is magnificentsustainability working hand in hand.
and it's totally carbon neutral!The Costa Mesa Green Home: Orange County,
Lux et Tepidus: Toronto, CanadaCalifornia, USA
This stunning 3500 square foot home is evenAnother home to be the first to receive Platinum
aligned slightly out of joint with the passing streetCertification, this time it's a first for Orange
for better solar energy alignment, the exterior isCounty in California. At a massive 5000 square
constructed of structural insulated panels and allfoot it is the largest and possibly most luxurious
interior partitions made of wood-stud. A southof those featured and exceeds the local energy
facing, massively glazed wall maximises light andefficiency targets by a massive 40%! This
solar heat entering the house straight onto a slatestunning green project has optimised solar
covered masonry wall which provides thermalorientation and is built with sustainable materials
mass as well as looking stunning! This is a trulythroughout. It also features numerous energy
striking & luxurious property both inside andefficient technologies including intelligent ventilation,
out and the eco features are engrained perfectlya state-of-the-art green HVAC (heating,
within the design.ventilation & air conditioning) system and
Woods End: Norfolk, Englandenergy star lighting. Creating energy efficiency in
Set in two acres of woodland in the Norfolksuch a massive, contemporary and luxurious
countryside, this impressive 3000 square footproperty is definitely a remarkable achievement.
eco-home was the 2009 winner of TV