San Diego Building Named One of the World’s ‘Greenest’

The Ranch House at Del Sur, the information center for the newly opened master-planned community by Black Mountain Ranch LLC in north San Diego, has been awarded a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

 With a point score of 59 out of a total 69 points possible, the 3,000-square-foot Ranch House is the first private-enterprise, new construction building to achieve Platinum rating in California, and San Diego’s first Platinum-rated structure, according to a press release from the USGBC.

Of the approximately 680 LEED-NC (new construction) certified buildings in the world, only 28 have achieved Platinum certification.  Many Ranch House features are available as standard or options to the 2,500 homes under construction at Del Sur.

 Fullerton Architects P.C., of Kalispell, Mont., provided architectural design services, in consultation with LEED consultant Hernando Miranda of Soltierra Inc. in San Diego.  Landscape architecture was provided by Vita Planning & Landscape Architecture and Wimmer Yamada and Caughey, and interior design was provided by San Diego-based Design Line Interiors. Standard Pacific Homes constructed the Ranch House at Del Sur, and Benchmark Landscape provided landscape installation services.

Approximately 89 percent of construction debris at the Ranch House was recycled, and materials were re-used on site where possible. Cork in the flooring, sunflower husks in countertops, wheat waste in cabinets and ceilings, and salvaged timbers used in flooring and ceiling trusses are among the reclaimed or rapidly-renewable resources on display at the Ranch House.

Through the incorporation of efficient appliances, weather-based irrigation and low-water plant palettes, combined annual estimated water savings are 70 percent, or more than one million gallons saved per year. A solar energy system provides about half the building’s power, while natural lighting, EnergyStar appliances, efficient ductwork save approximately 57 percent of energy annually. Wind credits offset the remainder of the energy use, making the Ranch House a net-zero consumption facility.

 The porous concrete driveway leading to the Ranch House aids with groundwater filtration and mitigates storm-water runoff. Electric vehicles, dedicated carpool parking spaces and bike racks offer and demonstrate a variety of resources for alternative transportation.

More information is available at www.delsurliving.com and www.usgbc.org.