Architecture | Inhabitat Local

Low-Maintenance, Low-Energy Modern House Makes the Most of a Point Loma Infill Lot

This modern house in Point Loma, San Diego is all about low-maintenance living. A sturdy steel frame bears all the load, while a durable panel facade system will retain its original luster for many years to come. Thanks to its energy-efficient and passive solar design, this 3 bedroom home on an infill lot doesn't need much energy. A rooftop solar system that provides most of the home's energy, so it is almost net zero. The entire compound was designed by Macy Architecture to have as small an impact as possible and they also included fruit trees, native landscaping, rainwater harvesting and eco-friendly materials.

Farmers Field: The Most Sustainable Stadium in the United States

Los Angeles has been trying to attract a football team to their city for some time now, and the anticipated Farmers Field carbon neutral stadium may just be the icing on the cake. Designed by AEG, the new stadium is focusing specifically on five specific

The Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center

The Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center is located at the Southwest of Los Angeles, in the City of Downey. This interactive museum is dedicated to inspire and educate young generations in the exploration of the universe and the history of aerospace.

SEED House Brings Green Home Building To Los Angeles’ Lower-Income Communities

While Inhabitat usually showcases visually stunning or formally innovative buildings and designs, the importance of greening the common home is not lost on the Inhabiteam, our readers, or governmental organizations and NGO's. Green housing programs around the country teach green construction techniques and processes; in addition, training opportunities at the local level abound for building managers and supers. Various tax abatements and credits exist for the homeowner who weatherizes his or her home, or improves the energy efficiency or carbon footprint of his or her home. Through these programs and the popularization of certifications such as LEED, the sustainability movement has finally infiltrated the mainstream construction industry. It is in this spirit that the South Bay Energy Efficiency House, or SEED House, has been developed and constructed. This recently inaugurated, innovative facility is located on the Century Center for Economic Opportunity (CCEO) campus adjacent to LAX airport in Lennox, CA, and serves as an education and resource center for local residents and builders.

World’s First LEED Platinum Airplane Hanger

The Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, CA is home to the world’s first LEED Platinum aviation facility in the US, Hanger 25. Airports aren’t typically known for their sustainable footprint, and applying concepts of sustainable construction to the warehouse buildings that house airplanes have previously not been on any pilot’s radar. Serving as a true model in sustainable building, Hanger 25 does a lot to challenge an industry that is typically know for their carbon-heavy reputation, taking impressive strides to improve the environmental realities of operating an aircraft.

High Tech High Chula Vista Delivers Students a Great Education in a Sustainable Atmosphere

A magnet school, High Tech High Chula Vista provides its students with a hands-on learning experience in an incredibly sustainable atmosphere. The new campus was recently awarded the one of the AIA’s Committee on Environment Top 10 Awards. Designed by Studio E Architects, the campus purposefully reflects High Tech High’s emphasis on sustainability and the environment by minimizing energy demand, providing natural ventilation along with plenty of daylighting, and packaging it all in a super efficient building design.

Cal State LA Activates New Solar Installation

Cal State University, Los Angeles further bolstered its reputation as a “green” campus with the installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) system on campus. The 77 panel system was activated in late July, and has been actively offsetting the energy demands of the Engineering and Technology building it sits above. After years of development, students and faculty are finally seeing their solar project come to fruition.

Solar Umbrella Fuses Energy Neutral Living With Modern Architecture

Architecture firm Brooks Scarpa has incredibly transformed a small Venice bungalow into an airy multi-leveled residence. Called Solar Umbrella, the house fuses energy efficiency and sustainability with modern living. Constructed for a small family of three, the home sets the bar for the future generation of modern architecture, while also being energy neutral.

Step Up On 5th Provides a Safe, Energy Efficient Home for Low-Income Residents

Clad in bright pastel lace-like shutters, the Step Up on 5^th in downtown Santa Monica is a shelter, support center, and rehabilitation center for the local homeless and mentally disabled. Designed by Brooks and Scarpa, the cheery building combines forward thinking social and environmental practices, and is a welcome landmark for the area. Step Up on 5th provides a safe residence for the unfortunate, while also sticking closely to sustainable LEED architecture.

Hollywood Hills Skyline Residence Uses Local Materials To Reduce Its Carbon Footprint

With a wealth of resources, sourcing local materials in LA a fairly easy feat. So when one LA family set out to build their dream home atop the Hollywood Hills, they wanted to be certain to use as many local materials as they could in order to reduce the home's carbon footprint. The Skyline Residence was designed by Belzberg Architects, who drafted up a long linear home that uses the site as guidance in order to reduce earthwork. Solar passive design, shade screens, and natural ventilation keep the home cool, while an outdoor patio and movie screen over the garage encourage the home's inhabitents to spend lots of time outdoors.