Nemi

If their everyday mantra sounds something like "reduce, reuse, recycle," these eco-conscious gifts won’t weigh on their conscience.

Completed in 10 months on a flat meadow atop a wooded bluff near the Cousins River estuary, the energy-efficient residence emphasizes indoor/outdoor living for a pair of nature lovers.

"Radical sustainability

Flex & Seal is ideal for smaller items under 3 pounds—like books, accessories, and clothing.

The algae containers are imprinted with patterns reminiscent of coral reefs.

A large overhang protects the interior living spaces from the summer sun.

With floor-to-ceiling glazing lining the home, natural light becomes the prominent element of the space, helping to highlight the ever-changing seasons of the spectacular wooded vistas.

Nature is core to the Tiny House. Mountains decorate the exterior and a lush, native garden surrounds it.

For O’Reilly, paring the design back to a minimum was important from both an aesthetic and budget standpoint.

In thinking about the worldwide lack of reliable water, sanitation, food, and electricity—and the fact that housing sector contributes more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions—the Yale Center for Ecosystems in Architecture and the New Haven, Connecticut–based architecture firm Gray Organschi Architecture designed and constructed a 230-square-foot home called the Ecological Living Module (ELM). The construction is a fully off-grid housing prototype that was designed to take advantage of sustainable materials, green technology, and simple construction methods. There's a a rainwater harvesting system, a solar system that provides 100 percent of the building’s energy needs, and a graywater system that irrigates food-producing plants that mark the building’s west facade.

Completed for an approximate cost of $2,000,000, the modern, net-zero home features 3,835 square feet and is located in the heart of Suncadia’s master-planned community.

A connected dining area and kitchen allows for an open, airy feeling.