Khalili Earthbag,
Double Eco Dome
Mark Reppert, owner

This double Eco-Dome was built by a crew of six people in just six weeks this last Spring.  Because the structure is not yet finished and plastered, this is a perfect opportunity to see the bare bones of this simple, elegant design.  The most sustainable aspect of this building method, conceived of by renowned Architecture teacher Nader Kahalili, is that most of the materials are gathered on-site.  Built with local sand mixed with a small amount of concrete, this building method is ideal for developing countries where resources are hard to come by.  This project shows how Superadobe homes are also practical in the United States, especially in areas where desert sand is plentiful.  Visit www.calearth.org for more info on the architecture of Nader Khalili and the Cal-Earth research and study center in Hesperia.

Jo Martin-Kelley, owner
Curly & Ann Martin, designer, builder & engineers

This house was off the grid before “green” was a popular term, and exemplifies many low-cost, architecturally beautiful methods for heating and cooling.  Built in 1981, this house has 3 solar panels for hot water, hot tub & radiant heat.  All main windows face South for passive winter heat, which is further supported by a 9.5" slab, 1'wX16'hx50'l designer brick wall, 2x8 walls, R-97 & R-127 in ceiling, and a pond for the cooling of 11amp air conditioning. 

Zero Energy Home
Jack Rose, contractor

The first of its kind for the Morongo Basin, this is a completely self-sufficient, comfortable, green roofed, newly built home that is currently for sale.  Features include a solar grid based system, solar hot water on-demand, a water purification and recycling system, air to floor heating/cooling system, waterless toilets, and the ability to withstand a #10 earthquake.

Octagon Strawbale
Peter and Marylin, owners
Our home, under construction, is an octagon post and beam with rice straw bale infill and a raised seam steel roof.  It is off grid, with wind and solar power and is heated with solar hydronic in floor radiant heat.

The Mike Reynolds Residence. "Rancho Costalotta"
 
Designed and built in 2007 by local green builder Mike Reynolds, this house features a recycled wood counter bar top & front door, and stained, insulated concrete floors.  Nestled inside the concrete is an active closed-loop hydronic floor heating system propelled with a high-efficiency tankless water heater. Though equipped with two Aero Coolers and up-ducts in every room, no AC is necessary or used due to substantial insulation, reflective roof sheeting, low-E windows, and a thermostatically controlled attic ventilation system The house is dual plumbed for gray water with an underground 1000-gallon gray water storage tank and equipped with high efficiency toilets.