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Building and living sustainably doesn't have to mean the sacrifice of performance, aesthetics or style

View of a kitchen which features a large cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, gray
View of a kitchen which features a large rectangular island, tiled flooring, painted MDF cabinetry, lighting, appliances, sink, faucets.
View of a kitchen which features a large cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, gray
View of a kitchen and dining area which countertop, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, black
View of a kitchen which features a large countertop, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, gray
View of a kitchen which features a large countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray
Exterior view of home with weatherboard cladding. - architecture, building, cottage, facade, home, house, property, real estate, siding, black
exterior view of the kitchen and dining area door, floor, glass, house, real estate, window, gray
View of floor plans. - View of floor angle, area, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, line, plan, product, product design, technical drawing, white

Sustainable living can seem like one of those lifestyle choices that involves sacrificing pleasure or convenience for the greater good. Perhaps that's why many of us genuinely would like to do it, but just can't seem to commit.

When homeowners Adam Toguchi and Bruce Weatherford remodeled their house, they decided to build and live in as energy-efficient a way as possible. But they also wanted a home that worked for them. In the kitchen, that meant a space that was enjoyable to cook in, with ample room for friends and family to gather, and plenty of natural light.

In architect David Webber they found a designer who ensured that sustainability wouldn't come at the cost of aesthetics or compromised lifestyle. For Webber, green living means more than just checking the energy rating on appliances and having a compost pile.

"I think that living sustainably means appreciating the surrounding environment and interacting with nature as a part of daily life. So being able to enjoy plenty of sunlight and open up the windows and turn off the air conditioning is a huge part of that sensibility," he says.

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exterior view of the kitchen and dining area door, floor, glass, house, real estate, window, gray
exterior view of the kitchen and dining area with tiled patio, glass doors and windows, weatherboard cladding.

Webber's design gave the owners the light-filled, casual kitchen they wanted, while choices in materials and appliances were made with the environmental impact in mind.

The painted cabinets are made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) rather than hardwood, and the appliances were chosen for energy-efficient performance. An on-demand system ensures that there's an ample supply of hot water, but without the high energy consumption of a large cylinder heating water all day and night.

Toguchi says he was surprised at the flexibility and choices available.

"We were presented with options at every step of the process. From the initial layout of the space, to the cabinet finishes and hardware David showed us three or four choices and explained the costs and benefits of each. We never felt constrained by our decision build green, and we were very appreciative of that."

View of floor plans. angle, area, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, line, plan, product, product design, technical drawing, white
View of floor plans.

Many energy-efficient homes eschew a large number of windows, but Webber and the owners didn't want to compromise an open feeling and natural light.

Low-E, double-paned windows and doors reflect the sunlight more than most windows, and insulate better, too.

"Enjoyment and sustainability are not mutually exclusive," says Toguchi. "We have the kind of kitchen and home we both wanted. And we're living a sustainable and energy-efficient lifestyle without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality."

Credit list

Kitchen designer
Custom by Webber + Studio
Windows and doors
Integrity low-E double-paned
Countertops
CaesarStone
Tile flooring
New Age by Portobello
Ventilation
Spagna Vetro 36" island hood by EuroKitchen
Faucet
Lady Lux Plus by Grohe
Oven
KitchenAid 30" single thermal oven
Refrigerator
KitchenAid, side-by-side
Dishwasher
KitchenAid
Builder
David Wilkes Builder
Cabinets
Painted medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
Sink
Self-rim by Elkay in stainless steel
Cabinet hardware
Omnia; Häfele
Dining area light fixture
Logico by Artemide
Hot water system
Rinnai on-demand
Cooktop
Fisher & Paykel 36"
Wine refrigerator
KitchenAid, undercounter
Disposal
InSinkErator

Story by: Kathleen Kinney

03 Sep, 2009

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design


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