Water Wise House in Mt. Washington

Mt. Washington Home. Source: LA Times

"Those who follow sustainable design say the new residence could very well be one of the most water-efficient houses in the region, a milestone for L.A. as the city seeks better models of conservation. The Nob Hill Haus, as its owner-designers call it, could serve as a template for the house of the future here." (Click here for a link to the full LA Times story.)

Laundry, bath, and sink water flows into this tank before traveling through perforated underground pipes that feed plants. Source LA Times

Partners Frank Pasker and Grit Leipert "let California's scarcity of two resources — power and water — shape the design philosophy for" their new 2,400 square foot Mt. Washington home, which is designed to reduce energy and water consumption to the greatest extent possible. The couple's ultimate goal is to make it a net-zero energy home.

The Los Angeles region is poised to grow considerably over the next couple decades and a similar "design philosophy" is needed for the region to grow sustainably. Climate scientists predict drier and shorter Sierra winters, which means less water for Southern California. As Pasker points out, "California challenges you to do something because of the climate...You want to work with the climate, not against it." Working with the climate, with a particular focus on energy and water, will become the hallmark of successful sustainable design and help shape the future of development in Southern California.

Composting Bins. Souce: LA Times

Green Credentials:

• Gravity fed grey water system with no pumps, filters or electrical devices
• Grey water system treats 160 gallons of water per day, which then waters the yard through a series of underground perforated pipes
• 1,500 gallon cistern used to capture rainwater and water backyard plants
• 50% water use reduction from the typical Los Angeles home
• 120 gallon roof-mounted solar water heater
• 50% thicker walls than required to reduce heating/cooling needs
• 3.2 kilowatt solar array designed to offset any electricity use

1,500 gallon cistern, which holds captured rainwater for plant watering. Source LA Times

Transit Adjacent Markets

Here's a new form of transit-oriented development: Transit Adjacent Markets. The most interesting aspect of this clip is the efficient use of space, common sense understanding of public safety, and informal use of land. The speed with which the life and urban atmosphere of the market is dismantled and reconstructed is impressive and makes one realize that cities often do not need complex and expensive investments to breath life into formerly neglected spaces.

Los Angeles, 1877

The map below is from the BIG Map Blog. It provides a sense of what the landscape looked like in Southern California as it began to urbanize. Bunker Hill is in the distance and you can even see Pico House (#20), which still stands today.