Slated to be built in the historic San Rafael Hills area of Pasadena, California later this spring, EcoHouse will rest on a foundation that is simple but strong – much like the coarse sandstone in which it will be firmly embedded. The concrete home, a continuation of the stone-base site, is designed to minimize the impact of the residence on the environment.

EcoHouse will be built of structural concrete insulated panels (SCIP), a sustainable lightweight composite building material with the strength of heavily reinforced concrete. Weighing 60 percent less than reinforced concrete, SCIPs allow for innovative, but structurally safe designs. For Studio RMA, the material also helped the design meet the stringent requirements for LEED Platinum certification.

This three-bedroom, single-level home encompassing 1,975 square feet will sit on an upper terrace of the lot, with a two-car garage under the house at street level. Grid-tied solar panels will supply power for the house. The SCIP design allows for a cantilevered roof with no visual supports, creating an uninterrupted view and indoor-outdoor living. The front facade, made of a glass door system that can slide into interior pockets of the living area, fully opens. Inside, LED lights illuminate the house and complete the project's commitment to low-energy use.