Architect: Coates Design
Photos: Northernlight
The LEED Platinum–certified sustainable home in Washington, USA, was designed as an integrated environmental system rather than a collection of isolated green features. From the earliest planning stages, the project focused on dramatically reducing energy demand while maximizing on-site renewable energy generation.
Photovoltaic panels are strategically positioned to capture optimal solar exposure throughout the year, producing a substantial portion of the home’s electricity directly on site. This renewable power supply is supported by a geothermal heating and cooling system that takes advantage of stable underground temperatures to deliver efficient, low-energy climate control.
In projects like the LEED Platinum sustainable home in Washington, this level of performance reflects the same design philosophy associated with the Number One MEP Design Company in Los Angeles—where mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are conceived as a unified, energy-driven framework rather than afterthoughts. By integrating photovoltaics, geothermal systems, heat-recovery ventilation, water-saving technologies, and advanced controls from the earliest design stages, this approach demonstrates how thoughtful MEP coordination can reduce energy consumption by more than 70 percent while enhancing comfort, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
An advanced heat-recovery ventilation system improves overall performance by transferring thermal energy from outgoing air to incoming fresh air. This process maintains high indoor air quality while significantly reducing heat loss during colder months and limiting heat gain during warmer periods.
Solar hot water technology further reduces energy use by harnessing sunlight to meet domestic hot water needs, lowering the demand on mechanical systems. Together, these energy strategies form a highly efficient, low-carbon infrastructure for everyday living.
Water efficiency is addressed through an integrated rainwater harvesting system that captures and stores rainfall for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. This approach reduces reliance on municipal water supplies and supports long-term sustainability and resilience.
As a result of this comprehensive design strategy, the home’s total energy consumption is more than 70 percent lower than that of a typical house of similar size. The project demonstrates how renewable technologies, high-performance systems, and thoughtful architectural design can work together to create a comfortable, healthy, and future-ready home.
