The Green Giant - Can a 10,000 Square Foot Home Be "Green"?

There is a green controversy brewing in Berkeley, California. Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development Corp and an international philanthropist, wants  to build a 10,000-square-foot house complete with a 10-car garage. Under Berkeley's current green point system the house would qualify for Berkeley's "green" designation despite its size, and that has neighbors and local environmentalists upset.

According to the New York Times: Berkeley’s green point system was developed by a nonprofit group called Built It Green and adopted by the city government. Items on the checklist include: tightly seal the air barrier between the garage and living area; insulate hot water pipes; use Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood; use paint low in volatile organic compounds. About 70 local governments in California have ordinances based on the Build It Green checklist, according to Bruce Mast, an executive of the organization.

The article also correctly notes that the United States Green Building Council's LEED program does reduce points for larger than average homes. Those points must then be regained with additional "green" features and building practices in order to achieve a LEED designation.

While virtually everyone agrees that smaller footprint homes are better for our environment, not everyone is going to give up their large luxury homes - nor do I think they should have to. Those who can afford to build a luxury home are also the people who can best afford to include cutting edge "green" materials and techniques, which will in turn benefit all green building at all price levels. We should continue to encourage this type of "green" investment with a sensible point system like the LEED program that addresses the size of the home as well as the sustainability of its design.

Neighbors Susan and Chuck Fadley were quoted in the article as saying that “green building begins with using ‘just enough’ and preserving what already exists. Clearly the idea of ‘just enough’ is not part of the design concept.”  And as an ideal, I agree. But in our idealism, we must not make this or any aspect of sustainable living seem so austere that its achievement feels like a punishment. A luxury home that is also a genuinely "green" home should be showcased because it allows the general public to see that "green building" doesn't just mean living in a yurt anymore.



Melanie Dawn Molina Wood is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC and a member of the US Green Building Council – South Florida Chapter. She is a designated Eco-Broker and holds her level one Green Leadership (GCREP-GL) certificate among many other certifications and awards.

Be Sure to Visit Deering Estate's Winter Wonderland this Month

Deering Estate at Cutler has always been one of my favorite places to visit in Miami, Florida; and Deering Estate during their December Winter Wonderland is the very best. Between our wonderful Florida weather during the month and the stunning beauty of this historic property all dressed up for the holidays, it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Open daily, December 1-31, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (ticket office closes at 4:00 pm).

From their website: Throughout December, visitors can tour the elegant and historic houses as they come alive with holiday accents and decorations created by the District XII Garden Clubs, the Palmetto Bay Garden Club, the Coconut Grove Garden Club, Mega Flowers Miami, J.R.E. Lee Opportunity School, the Florida Association of Family and Consumer Sciences - District J, and Venturing Crew 314. The garden club members, students, and teachers have used over 600 yards of ribbon, 900 feet of garland, and thousands of handmade ornaments of various themes to decorate the Richmond Cottage and Stone House. Guests can explore the beautifully landscaped main grounds and historic buildings at their own leisure or they can enjoy one of the Estate’s guided house tours held daily at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. Tours of the natural areas are also held daily at 12:30 pm. Tours of the historic buildings and natural areas are offered by one of the Estate’s Interpretive and Education staff members and are free with admission.


The holiday decorating effort is an annual tradition and is a special project of the District XII Garden Clubs, which includes 26 branches in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. and the Deering Estate at Cutler would like to thank the District XII Garden Clubs, the Palmetto Bay Garden Club, the Coconut Grove Garden Club, Mega Flowers Miami, J.R.E. Lee Opportunity School 4-H, the Florida Association of Family and Consumer Sciences - District J, and Venturing Crew 314 for their efforts in decorating the Estate for the holidays

Deering Estate's Tree Lighting Ceremony Tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Kick off the holiday season at the beautiful Deering Estate at Cutler for their fouth annual tree lighting ceremony in the Stone House ballroom. Enjoy your favorite holiday music as performed by the Yuletide Carolers.

$12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4-14). Free for Foundation Members. Location: Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami, FL