I usually like to end the week with a little architectural eye candy, and today is no exception. In fact, today’s eye candy is, by LEED standards, the greenest home west of the Rockies. With a score of 110 (out of a possible 136), the LEED Platinum The Sage House in Eugene, Ore., actually outranks USGBC founder David Gottfried’s home in Oakland, Calif., by three and a half points. Way to go, The Sage, you triumphed over the man who wrote the rulebook.

 

Designed and built on spec by Arbor South Architecture PC, the 1,477 square-foot Sage is actually not occupied. Right now, it’s a demo home meticulously designed to showcase sustainable building techniques. According to Arbor South, the two-bed, two-bath home cost $450,000 to build with $50,000 to $60,000 of that going towards making it as eco-friendly as possible. Considering the square footage and location, the price tag might seem steep but when various tax credits and super-low utility bills kick in, The Sage becomes much more affordable.

 

Before you scroll down to look at the photos of this beautiful, modern green masterpiece here are a few of the features that give the home its winning edge: solar water heating and solar photovoltaics; low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets; drought-resistant landscaping and rainwater collection; EnergyStar appliances; reclaimed lumber flooring and recycled cork floors; recycled paper countertops, and much, much more.

 

Now, on to the good stuff …