The five Sweetwater Mesa homes will feature the following LEED green design elements in order to minimize environmental impacts and receive LEED Gold.

Water
Rainwater Catchment System
A rainwater harvesting system will be designed to reduce the property’s demand on potable water. The rainwater harvesting system will also result in reduced stormwater runoff from the site.

California-friendly Landscape
Native California, drought tolerant plant palettes will further reduce water use and compliment the surrounding natural vegetation. The sustainable native landscape will provide habitat for native local fauna. In addition, the native flora and integrated pest management practices will curb the need for artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

High-efficiency Water Fixtures
The homes will use the most efficient toilets and showerheads available. State-of-the-art low flow showerheads and lavatory faucets and 1.1 gallon per flush HET toilets will be installed.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment
A greywater treatment system will reduce potable water usage for irrigation and the volume of water sent to the septic system. All water from bathroom sinks, showers and laundry will be diverted to a greywater treatment system. The water will be cleaned and reclaimed for subsurface irrigation for landscaping. Next-generation septic systems that provide tertiary treatment, which have been approved by the Los Angeles Department of Environmental Health, will handle all blackwater (kitchen sink, toilet, dishwasher, etc.) from the property.

Energy
Passive Design
The homes will be oriented to maximize the cooling effects of the ocean breezes. This strategy combines with the thermally-efficient structure, solar shading, and night cooling to create a comfortable, low-energy home. Likewise, the orientation of the windows will allow the building to reduce heating needs by capturing winter sun to warm the homes.

Natural Daylighting
Through the strategic placement of windows, skylights and the use of light colored interior materials, the abundant southern California daylight will be maximized to eliminate the need for electrical lighting during the day. 

High-efficiency Lighting
When electric lighting is needed, very high-efficiency LED lighting and compact fluorescent lighting will be used to reduce energy demands.

Radiant Floor Heating System
Radiant heating is one of the most energy efficient and comfortable heating sources for the California climate. A hydronic (water) radiant system will be installed in the floor of the properties. The heat source will be solar hot water panels with a high-efficiency boiler.

Solar Electricity
High-efficiency solar electric panels (photovoltaic) will be installed to generate clean, renewable electricity directly from the sun.

Solar Hot Water
Vacuum tube solar hot water panels will provide hot water for the occupants. The solar hot water will also heat the home through the hydronic radiant heating system.

Electric Vehicle Charging
The buildings will be designed to accommodate electric car charging to reduce use of fossil fuels and related pollution.

Materials
Rammed Earth Construction
One of the lowest impact construction methods available is the use of rammed earth. Rammed earth reuses material excavated from the home’s foundation pad for construction of the exterior walls. The resulting solid walls provide thermal mass that moderates the change in internal temperatures and reduces the need for heating and air conditioning. The embodied energy of rammed earth is the lowest among comparable building materials. The reduced export of soil and import of building materials to the site will reduce construction transportation impacts.

Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood
Wood used in the project will be from certified sustainably managed forests or reclaimed wood sources.

Formaldehyde Free Materials
Formaldehyde is a compound classified as a carcinogen by the state of California. It is a common additive in many building materials including particle board. The homes will use products and cabinets with no added formaldehyde.

Low Volatile Organic Compound Paints and Finishes
Surprisingly, much of the smog in Southern California is caused by the use of paints and finishes that contain VOCs. This project will use paints and finishes that emit little or no VOCs.

Natural Materials
Natural stone will be used for terraces and pathways.

Recycled, Recyclable and Rapidly Renewable Materials
Recycled content and recyclable materials, such as steel framing, concrete and rebar, glass and ceramic tile, insulation, and more, will be used extensively throughout the homes. The dominant materials, such as rammed earth, can be returned directly to the environment at the end of its lifecycle. Renewable materials, such as cork, will be used as well.

Construction Waste Recycling
Waste from the construction process will be greatly reduced through careful design and planning. Over 75% of the waste that is generated will be sorted and diverted from the landfill.

The elements in each category will allow all five homes to be certified for LEED Gold. LEED certification process achieves real reductions in water, energy, and natural resource use, and LEED Gold certification recognizes truly sustainable homes.