Build It Green House Tour

When people hear the phrase "green home," it's common to envision a funky-looking house that uses bizarre materials, a geodesic dome, or other out-of-the-ordinary structure. But the simple truth is that green homes get their eco credentials by using smart materials that most people never see — materials like insulation, double- or triple-paned windows, and other less-than-glamorous materials all create the green, energy-efficient home.

Toward that end, Build It Green, California’s leading expert on residential green building has persevered in helping homeowners make their homes more eco-friendly and efficient through its GreenPoint Rated system. To celebrate the completion of 10,000 GreenPoint Rated homes in California by the end of 2011, Build It Green is hosting a private tour of one of the Bay Area’s GreenPoint Rated homes. Last week, I stopped by the home, a lovely renovation from homeowner Ian Macleod, owner of Macleod Design & Construction, who remodeled his home to meet the highest environmental standards with a modern design aesthetic. The green home was designed to offset all of its own electrical and hot water energy needs through various green building techniques. The home was the winner of American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter, Energy + Sustainability Citation Award (May 2010). Come take a tour of this remarkable four-bedroom, two-bath home!