Green and gorgeous, the Margarido House in Oakland California is about to become that state's first LEED-H Platinum rated home. A living roof, solar electricity and hot water, sustainable timber, recycled glass countertops and concrete throughout are some of the features that meet the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design goal that a building be an "environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work". At over 4000 sq feet, this house actually began with negative points on the LEED scale but owner/builder Mike McDonald set out to prove that even a large home could be energy efficient. The finished house, with its rain collection system and drought tolerant landscaping and it's use of local materials, has far exceeded the 102 points necessary for the Platinum rating and it has even been filmed by The Discovery Channel Planet Green Network.
If you live close enough you can tour it with Room and Board, SF on September 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on what makes a home environmentally friendly visit the Green Home Guide.