Reducing resource consumption was a major goal of the companies that cooperated to build the condo. Water from the shower, washing machine, and dishwasher can be reused as grey water for the toilet, and overhead lighting is handled by two-watt LED spotlights. Flooring and other building materials are made from sustainably forested wood, as is the furniture provided by Ornamentum.

The condo also showcases ways to reduce consumption through multi-function furniture: the living room’s TV swivels to function as the office’s computer monitor, and cushions were mounted on the underside of removable hardwood floor panels so they can be flipped over and used for sprawling. The units planned from this initial prototype are designed for maximum flexibility in order to extend the useful life as long as possible. The finishes used are low-fume; the concrete is low greenhouse emission; the list goes on and on. A habitat this green is something we can all aspire to. Tentative plans are to show the condo next in Toronto and Atlanta. ::Sustainable Condo [by KK]

An external view of the Condo.

The Living Room, showing reversible cushion floor panels.

Living in the Sustainable Condo would save 100 liters of water each day on the average 325.