Alvarez Residence

#802 CALLE AQUAMARINA BO. JOBOS SECTOR LA SIERRA, ISABELA PUERTO RICO (Casa Mar Azul by Konti Design + Ganadores IBR) achieved LEED Platinum certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Green residences allow families to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space to live and work. Here are some of the strategies used and why they are good for business and people:

Sustainable Sites: By raising the home above ground and maintaining permeable surfaces around the site we ensure that the site maintains its natural water running conditions as well as reduce the heat island effect on the immediate environment. Your neighbors won't complain about water running off into their properties!

● Water Efficiency: All water fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchen are highly efficient and certified Water Sense. Protecting our resources, plus, a lower water bill, happier pockets!

● Energy and Atmosphere - All light fixtures are LED low consumption, Inverter Mini Split AC units, gas powered dryer and all appliances are Energy Star Certified. Additionally the home counts with a Solar Energy System that offset its energy consumption.

● Materials and Resources: This is where it gets better! By using used shipping containers as a base structure and facade material (98% of the facade is recycled!) We were able to maximize the material category and jump directly into LEED Gold point category, which meant that moving from there to LEED Platinum was a lot easier to achieve.

● Indoor Environmental Quality: Operable windows, ceiling fans, and automatic vents allow for fresh air to circulate around the house bringing in healthy air and pushing out toxins.

● Innovation in Design: The house is equipped with an electric vehicle charger to allow for alternative modes of transportation to reach the destination worry free.

“As a designer it has been an incredible experience! Our goal as a firm is to change typical construction, minimizing the use of new materials and maximizing recycling and upcycling strategies while achieving resilience against climate change. This project is the perfect example of how LEED certifications and efficient homes don’t need to be only for large corporations but can now also be rentable for families; and THAT is the beginning of change.” - Carla Gautier Castro - Founder of KONTi Design