Leave it to the Californians to be on the forefront of the green movement. On December 20, 2007, the Pasadena EcoHouse obtained approval for a hillside building permit. When the home is completed, it will be the first single-family, structural concrete insulated panel (SCIP) home in the nation to earn Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Translated into English, that means the home will be green in design, location, site impact, water and energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. The home will be 1,975 square feet built into the rocky hillside in the San Rafael Hills. It will feature a solar-electric and hot water system (makes sense in California), energy-efficient appliances and a rainwater catchment system. You can read more about the project on their web site.

Credit: The Pasadena EcoHouse