Favorites

Lofted amid eucalyptus and oak trees, Graham Paarman’s house is a glassed-in, steel-frame structure with a veil of vertical slats. Excluding outdoor areas, it measures about 720 square feet.

The kitchen features elm cabinets made by Valcucine in Italy.

Lofted amid eucalyptus and oak trees, Graham Paarman’s house in South Africa is a glassed-in, steel-frame structure with a veil of vertical slats. Excluding outdoor areas, it measures about 720 square feet. Half-round bays project to form a balcony, a pergola, a dining alcove, and a bathroom.

Cosmic's Energy Service Agreement offers clients a financing option at no upfront cost. Instead, credits are earned through every kWh of energy production and applied to monthly payments.

“Usually when people talk about energy efficiency, they think the windows have to be smaller,” says Jokic. “We see the opposite. If you create a robust energy system, you have more freedom in terms of the window openings. As well, we're investing into two-pane or three-pane windows that are highly efficient.”

Roughly 55% of the entire house is made of responsibly-sourced wood and 15% is made of steel. Large floor-to-ceiling glass windows flood the interiors with natural light.

The 1-bedroom Cosmic models boast a rooftop terrace for added space and scenic views.

“I think many people right now see the energy side of our products as a great value-add,” says Jokic. “We live in this very interesting time when people are ready to pay extra to have greener and more sustainable living, and our job is to really try to optimize this cost.”