The Spanish modern house in Santa Monica received a LEED Silver certification in 2018. Diane was thrilled that the homeowners were interested in pursuing certification. In reality, the energy codes in California require such a high level of energy efficiency that only a few strategies and associated points were required to make it to LEED certification. Then, when the homeowners decided that the Silver target performance tier was a goal, Diane worked with the Green Point Rater, a person assigned to our project as part of the LEED for Homes Program, to identify strategies that would add points at a minimal and reasonable cost.
Extending solar panel roof area availability, bumping up to 85% diversion of construction waste, limiting grass area, using 90% flooring with Green Label certification, and adding closed cell spray foam insulation in the walls and Bituthene membrane insulation at the sill plates were some of the strategies that contributed to the Silver level certification. The resulting home is 20% more efficient than the Title 24 Energy requirements for the state of California.
Read more about Diane Waingrow AIA Pacific Palisades Architect