When Fougeron Architecture was approached to convert a San Francisco concrete warehouse into a home, the client wanted a space that was free of clutter and the visual pollution of everyday banality. But the final design, charmingly named the Tehama Grasshopper residence, is far form sober and grim. From carefully selected materials like ipe wood and Cor-Ten steel green systems like radiant heating and fluorescent lighting, this modern loft is both thoughtful and homey.

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In hopes of helping to kick-start a market of zero-carbon homes, encourage microgeneration technologies, and raise public awareness of the benefits of living in zero-carbon homes, the British government announced last week a significant tax break for the original buyers of the eco-friendly homes. Known as the “stamp” tax, homebuyers (and sellers) pay a percentage fee to the government at the point of sale. The new tax break could save buyers as much as £15,000 (nearly US$28,000).

Read the rest of UK Tax Breaks for Zero Carbon Homes

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